Young Writers on Broadway: Writing from the Kids at the Queens Public Library, Broadway Branch

WRITING FROM THE KIDS AT THE QUEENS PUBLIC LIBRARY BROADWAY BRANCH SPRING 2009 1

2

YOUNG WRITERS ON BROADWAY Spring 2009 Writing from the Kids at the Queens Public Library, Broadway Branch

3

Copryright Š 2009 NY Writers Coalition Inc. Upon publication, copyright to individual works returns to the authors.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Editor: Mary E. Smith Design and Layout: Nancy L. Weber Young Writers On Broadway contains writing by members of creative writing workshops conducted by NY Writers Coalition Inc. for children at the Broadway Branch of the Queens Public Library.

NY Writers Coalition Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for formerly voiceless New Yorkers to be heard through the art of writing. For more information about NY Writers Coalition Inc.: NY Writers Coalition Inc. 80 Hanson Place, #603 Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 398-2883 info@nywriterscoalition.org www.nywriterscoalition.org

The mission of the Queens Borough Public Library is to provide quality services, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities through books and a variety of other formats to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests of its diverse and changing population. http://www.queenslibrary.org

4

Introduction Unintentionally, a wonderful experience blossomed at the Broadway Community Library when parents and children gathered together and wrote creatively about butterflies, flowers, dreams, fears, wishes, hopes, favorite songs, fuzzy bugs, and furry animals.

Each parent brought the memories and images of their culture to their writing pads and surprised their children with their wit and wisdom. Parents from Japan, Myanmar, Ghana, and NewYork shared their experiences with their children. Some days were very enlightening and others just funny.

We danced and sang with our words, metaphors, and rhymes as each generation learned from the other. The children's school teachers remarked on how well they had progressed when writing in school, no matter what the grade.

As a librarian, I recommend that parents read with their children and now I advise them to sometimes sit down and write together. This is a powerful modeling tool as well as a wonderful way to share life's experiences and laughter.

In this chapbook is one year in the life of a very creative writing group from the Broadway Community Library. Friendships were cultivated and many talents were recognized by all who 5

participated. I am grateful to have been able to take part in its creation.

Enjoy, Mary E. Smith Spring 2009

6

THE MAGIC BOX IMANE AZZAM-REHALI, AGE 17 I will put into my box The smell of hibiscus flowers in the night The flawless night sky speckled with stars The sound of crickets I will put into my box The wind blowing my hair back A beautiful black horse Field upon field of flowers I will put into my box The sound of whales free at sea The sight of wild horses galloping away The sunset on the Atlantic I will put into my box Smiles Laughter Happiness Peace My box is made of fall leaves With Spring flowers on the top And snowflakes on the sides 7

And when I open it, I will see the beautiful sunset On the coast of Casablanca

MIRACLE IMANE AZZAM-REHALI What is a miracle? an extraordinary event out of the blue happens when you don’t expect it When all hope is lost a miracle is what people search for like an impossible disease a cure from heaven A place of miracles like St. Jude’s Children Hospital is where people find hope and love and care And when that cure is found That is a miracle.

8

DARK CHOCOLATE TEMPTATION IMANE AZZAM-REHALI How dare you!

You’re tempting me with your Shiny Brown wrapper Just sitting there You’re dark, aren’t you?

Oh, the temptation!

I open the wrapper, slowly savoring the idea of a Chocolate in my mouth…

Hard outer shell with chocolate crumbs…

I bite in…

Oh the creamy chocolate!!!

And what a surprise!

A change from the regular A small, rich dark chocolate ball Melts in my mouth…

And now… you are gone!

Mmm!!

9

ALL THAT UCK IMANE AZZAM-REHALI Oh, the food I hate the most Maybe not really considered a food on most tables…

There comes a time of year where we Muslims must sacrifice a sheep as a religious thing. We literally bring the whole thing home minus the wool coat and feet… yes, we bring the head and all the internal organs too.

That brings me to the food I hate the most. You see, I love every vegetable that I ever tasted. But this, this thing is just… so ugh! It smells bad, which is the main reason I don’t ever want to try it. Must I say what this commotion is? Do you really want to know? My mother washes it all and cleans it out and cooks it with tomatoes and olives. I love tomatoes and olives, but I hate IT. What is IT? Sheep intestines, stomach, lungs, heart, and all that uck.

BLAKH…

10

THANKSGIVING CONEY TAKEHANA BANK, AGE 8 Thanksgiving (sing to Twinkle, Twinkle) We will cook a turkey.

We will cook cones.

We will cook a lot of food.

For our family, for our friends.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. We will say thank you to everything.

11

FEELING GOOD ABOUT MYSELF CONEY TAKEHANA BANK When the sun shines in the morning, I feel fun.

When it rains in the morning, I feel good.

When I see a puppy, I feel cute.

When I help someone I feel good.

When someone helps me, I feel even better.

When my mother says, “I love you” to me, I say, “I love you” to her.

When I say, “I love you” to someone, I feel happy.

When I eat chocolate, I feel hungry.

When I eat cookies, I feel salty.

When I receive a gift, I feel like a star.

I feel good about myself because I am a girl.

ONCE CONEY TAKEHANA BANK Once I saw a rainbow.

When I was three, I rode on a horse.

When I was seven, I learned how to swim from my uncle.

I saw my mother’s two sisters and one brother.

I went to a game show in Japan.

12

FEELING GOOD ABOUT MYSELF CHIYO TAKEHANA BANK (CONEY’S MOTHER) When the sun shines in the morning, I feel refreshed. I am waiting for the sunshine everyday.

When it rains in the morning, I feel good because I think about how happy the flowers and grass.

When I see a puppy, I feel a little worried because I wonder where the puppy’s mother is.

When I help someone, I feel kind.

When someone helps me, I feel good.

When someone says, “I love you” to me, I feel very happy because that’s how I know that I am not alone in this world.

When I say, “I love you” to someone, I feel very peaceful.

When I receive a gift, I feel lucky.

When I eat chocolate, I feel happy because it tastes good, but then I feel worried because I worry about the effect on my teeth.

When I eat cookies, I feel happy, but then I feel worried because I worry about my weight.

I feel good about myself because I have a lovely child named Coney.

13

UNTITLED CHIYO TAKEHANA BANK I. I saw two bears.

One white bear and one brown bear.

The white bear’s name is Vanilla.

The brown bear’s name is Cocoa.

They live in an igloo.

Everyday they eat fishes.

There are a lot of different foods.

II. When I was a child, every year I went skiing.

My father taught me how to ski.

Ski Mountains had a spring bath.

I loved outside spring baths.

Spring baths, many people took a bath together.

It was very nice.

I loved it!!

III. I like swimming.

I look like a kappa.

Kappa is a kind of Japanese monster.

He has a dish on his head.

Its head looks like a 10th century priest.

He can swim very well.

Kappa looks like a big frog.

14

Since I always swim very well, When I was a child, people called me Kappa.

IF I WERE ICE CREAM, I WOULD BE VANILLA AHMED ELNAGAR, AGE 4 If I were ice cream, I would be vanilla ice cream.

When I melted, the world would not be here.

If I danced, people would cheer for me.

I would sing a song of peace and love.

I would love basketball.

I would dream of never melting.

I would wish for a lot of candy.

AHMED AHMED ELNAGAR Always kind Happy Mad Excited Drowsy

15

16

MARWA MARWA ELNAGAR, AGE 7 My eyes are sparking brown And I like my friend Britney and her sister Bryana Roses are sweet and I like all the colors on roses What are all of my friends doing here?

And my best friend is Lillian

PUMPKINS MARWA ELNAGAR Pumpkins oval, Pumpkins round, Pumpkins piled on the ground, Pumpkins piled to the sky, And though I like pumpkins, Pumpkins small‌BOO! BOO!

17

UNTITLED MARWA ELNAGAR When I awoke one morning, A bird was on my head.

I asked, “What are you doing here?”

It looked at me and said, “I want to be you.”

So I said I have magic.

I will turn you into me and I will be you. HA HA I’m a bird.

I could fly.

I could do anything I want.

I could even fly, but you can’t because I turned you into me. HA HA The End.

A BIRD ON MY HEAD NORA ELNAGAR, AGE 10 When I awoke one morning, A bird was on my head.

I asked, “What are you doing here?”

It looked at me and said….

“Tweet, tweet.”

It asked, “How are you?”

“What are you doing?”

“What is you name?”

With many other questions.

When I was eating my breakfast, She takes a bite of my sandwich!

I still don’t know what kind of bird it was.

18

QUACK! NORA ELNAGAR My duck’s name is Rosey.

It makes the sound, “Quack!”

It would fly to Disneyland.

My duck jumps in puddles.

My duck is soft.

19

IF I WERE‌ NORA ELNAGAR If I were ice cream, I would be strawberry flavored.

When I melted the world would not be here.

If I danced, people would cheer for me. I would sing a song of peace and love.

I would love tennis.

I would dream of never melting.

I would wish for a lot of candy.

20

OWLY SARA ELNAGAR, AGE 12 When I awoke one morning… Oh my gosh, what am I doing on your head/ Why I remember, I am resting.

Look how silly I am standing on your head.

21

IF I WERE ICE CREAM SARA ELNAGAR If I were ice cream, I would be a sundae.

When I melted, the world would be sad.

If I danced, people would be amazed because then I will be special.

I would sing a song of ice cream.

I would love having things put on me, like cherries.

I would dream of an ice cream sundae.

I would wish people did not eat me so I did not die.

MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT MY BODY GERALDINE GUESE, AGE 9 My favorite things about my body are…my brain, hair, and heart.

I love my brain because…I am smart!

I also love my hair because…I make it look pretty.

The last thing I like is my heart because I follow it and do the right things.

22

CENTRAL PARK ZOO GERALDINE GUESE This trip is to the Central Park Zoo. I like to see the sea lions, penguins, monkeys, and the rainforests.

We go to the petting zoo to feed the animals and pet them.

23

MY FAVORITE COLOR GERALDINE GUESE My friend is Red and Blue.

When they hug, they make my favorite color, Purple.

I like to dance with Purple in my purple dress, Eat purple grapes with Purple, and I also sleep in my purple pajamas with Purple.

UNTITLED YOLLY GUESE (GERALDINE’S MOTHER) W is for writing that we are Doing today. While I’m writing about all this letter, watching Kyla that is what I’m doing.

“Go Mom,” Kyla would say.

Mary, the best librarian would like us to think all the wonderful things.

Again, my other daughter fell asleep on the chair.

Go, write Mommy, while your daughter is asleep.

24

HANDS & FEET YOLLY GUESE To my dearest Hands and feet, I’d like to write this thank you note because both of you are very helpful to me. I can take my children anywhere and everywhere because of you.

I am grateful to have you both on my body. You really help me. Thank you so much, my hands and feet.

GREEN YOLLY GUESE I love the color green, but I don’t know why.

Maybe because I was born on St. Patrick’s Day Maybe because where I used to live, green was everywhere.

Tall green trees and banana trees.

I like to wear a green colored shirt, or something with green.

I like to eat green salad too!

At home, I like to use green pillowcases and even the blanket has green on it.

25

ANTONY ANTONY HARGODIN, AGE 7 My name is Antony.

It sounds like nothing.

It tastes like meat.

It is the color of blue.

It reminds me of a flower called Holly.

It means, “I am smart.”

I like my name because it is funny.

PIZZA ANTONY HARGODIN One day, I was eating pizza.

Then I saw the pizza singing and dancing.

26

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MYSELF ANTONY HARGODIN Smart as a genius.

Shy as a turtle.

Funny as your dad.

Handsome as a king.

Active as a tiger.

27

DREAM REINA ITO, AGE 5 In my dream I can ice skate pretty well.

I am skating fast like a motorcycle.

I am spinning like a top.

Spin, spin, spin‌ I am a flower with red hair in the heart shaped garden.

I have friends in my garden.

I plant a girl, a tiny mouse, worms and bugs.

28

I WISH REINA ITO I wish I was a Christmas tree.

I would be able to stand still.

I love to play with my doll.

I like to go to school.

I feel like hope.

I dance like I am a ballet dancer.

I sing like a bird.

I dream of playing with Sayaka.

I want the stars to be next to me.

I want the moon to be next to me too.

I want the sun to burn me.

I want my favorite person to hug me.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MYSELF AJAY KOWLASSER, AGE 12 I am respectful as a grown-up boy, Great as an Olympic star, Intelligent as a college student, Active as a sports player, and Shy as a butterfly.

29

AJAY AJAY KOWLASSER I wish I was a basketball player.

I would be able to get a lot of money.

I love to play basketball.

I like to play a lot.

I feel like I am tired.

I dance like a star.

I sing like a star.

I dream of good things.

I want the stars to come out at night.

I want the moon to go at night.

I want the sun to stay out all the time.

I want my favorite person to buy me a Nintendo Wii. 30

MY BIRD AJAY KOWLASSER My bird’s name is Matty.

He was walking to the park one day…

And this kid tried to grab him, but he flew away.

When he came back, the kid left, but there were other kids playing baseball.

Matty was flying around the park.

Then suddenly, a ball was coming to him so he quickly flew away.

Once the ball landed on the ground, Matty flew down and as quickly as he could and said, “Scee-scee-scee-scee-scee-scee…”

All the kids playing baseball ran away.

31

THERE IS A BEAR MYINT MYAT THINN KYI, AGE 9 There is a bear who does not like honey.

I would like to have a bear as a friend or a pet.

Then I could sleep on him and hug him when I am sad or cold.

I wish bears could talk.

Growl, growl.

Bears are mad, some are friendly.

I had a stuffed bear, but I lost it.

32

I AM A DUCK MYINT MYAT THINN KYI I have a name.

I am a boy.

I make soft sounds.

I would swim to a peaceful pond.

I would fly to a bird plantation, where they take good care of ducks and birds.

I am a duck and I have the color of a bird.

I am at the beach with the sound of the waves and the wind.

I will travel and zig-zag.

Making curly lines and making circles in the air.

33

THE TRIP TO THE DINOSAUR’S TIME DANIEL LAU, AGE 10 The trip to the dinosaur time was cool.

I went to see some Robotic Dinosaurs and you could play a game in it too.

But a man named Blazer stole a robotic dinosaur robot.

Blazer had an alien face and some spiky hair.

He had robotic arms that could stretch far.

His other arm has a flamed blaze.

He has rocket boots to fly.

He also has a short body.

34

Q&A KIMBERLY LAU, AGE 5 What is the answer to my math question?

Question: What is 5 + 2 = ?

Answer: 5 + 2 = 7

35

TRIP TO NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY CINDY LAU (DANIEL AND KIMBERLY’S MOTHER) More than a year ago, my family and I went to the New York Historical Society in Manhattan near Central Park.

As we entered the early 1900s building, I was introduced to a culture that was actually new to me, but I thought that I lived in it for most of my life. There was a viewing of the original Lincoln document. Due to its sensitivity to light, it was available one day for visitors to see. My family happened to be there that day!

The grand exhibition of the time was slavery. The lighting was sort of dim in the exhibit halls. It smelled of still NY air from the streets outside.There were film clips, some artifacts, such as slave sale certificates, tools used by slaves, and photographs.

I read testimonies of different slave professionals from laundry worker to blacksmiths, from young child to old man. The part that fascinated me was the fact that slavery was a significant part of New York history.

36

MUD JUICE CINDY LAU Brown Vicious Pig-loving All Natural Loyal Fan of Worms Mud Juice

ANDREW ANDREW LEONG , AGE 9 My name is Andrew.

It sounds like gold.

It tastes like ice cream, candy and games.

It is the colors blue, gold, and silver.

It reminds me of a sunflower.

It means I know everything and can do almost anything.

I like my name because it is like gold.

37

A BEAR, PIG, TIGER AND A DONKEY ANDREW LEONG There is a bear, pig, tiger and a donkey.

A scientist put some magic on the bear, pig, tiger and donkey.

The animals went to the scientist’s lab.

He put different magic on the animals.

When the animals got out, they fell asleep on the ground.

When they woke up, they were back in the rainforest.

They went home.

The next day, the animals wanted to be friends.

They went to each other’s houses and played with each other.

38

I CAN ANDREW LEONG I can walk fast.

I can walk slow.

I can fly.

I get to do anything I want.

I get to have any food I want.

I get anything I want.

I have a pocket that can hold anything I want.

A BEAR BRIAN LEONG, AGE 8 One day, a bear went looking for some honey.

A beehive fell on his head.

Then the bees came out of the beehive and stung him.

The end.

39

CHOCOLATE BRIAN LEONG What does it feel like to be a piece of chocolate?

I am the color of white snow and brown.

I feel like silk some of the time.

Other times, I feel like a bird.

I dance like a mouse.

I walk like a duck.

I dance like a cat. I am happiest when I swim.

People treat me like an angel.

People touch me like a cannon ball.

Dogs come to me and kiss me.

My favorite stuffed animal is the donkey.

40

BRIANNA BRIANNA RAMKEESON, AGE 5 I am cute like a baby panda bear.

I am happy like a baby receiving a doll for the first time.

My eye lashes are like dancing ribbons.

My brain is as crowded as a train during rush hour.

My eyes are as bright as a star.

I am helpful, like elves at Christmas.

BRIANNA’S CAKE BRIANNA RAMKEESON 5 cups of love 1 cup of sharing 1 cup of daddy 1 cup of mommy 1 cup of Britney 1 cup of Brianna 1 cup of Ganosha 1 cup of parfait 4 cups of roses

41

COTTON CANDY BRIANNA RAMKEESON I ask my mom for 1 dollar to buy a bag of cotton candy.

As I finished paying the lady for my candy, she told me to pick one.

As I reached for my cotton candy, I heard “Pick Me!” and “No, Pick Me!” I was so scared that I ran behind my mom and started crying.

BRITNEY BRITNEY RAMKEESON, AGE 7 Smart like my family.

Funny as a bunny.

My Tamagotchi is as cute as a bee.

Teacher is Miss. Karalakas.

Summer is hot, like the sun.

Sister is cute as a rabbit.

42

COCO BIRD BRITNEY RAMKEESON I would fly to a mountain.

My bird eats crackers and seeds.

Asking other birds, “ Hello, can I have a cracker?”

My bird likes to smell shoes.

Coco wears a jacket when it is cold.

My bird loves to sit on its branch.

My bird has all the colors of the rainbow.

BOTTLE NOSE DOLPHINS BRITNEY RAMKEESON My animal is like a mermaid.

It is a cute mammal.

It has long wavy hair as pretty as can be.

It is like a little whale.

But when it rains, it needs an umbrella.

The only word it knows how to say is library.

It needs Brianna to comb its hair.

It needs some rice treats.

It is a bottle nose dolphin.

43

A TRIP TO TRINIDAD EMMA RAMKEESON (BRIANNA AND BRITNEY’S MOTHER) Trinidad is an exotic island. This island is known for its breathtaking breaches and scenery. People of many cultures celebrate carnival by dancing in beautiful costumes. There are many exotic fruits, such as coconuts, pineapples, papayas, mangoes, and pomegranates. But most of all, it is known as the only island in the world that has a Pitch Lake.

44

CATERFLY EMMA RAMKEESON Hello, my name is Caterfly.

I am a unique creature.

I am a cat with a butterfly body.

I love to dance in the wind.

The only time you see me is at night because my body glows.

I am like a street light.

I help people find their way in the dark.

45

DREAMS EMMA RAMKEESON Dreams can sometimes be realistic. Some of my dreams are about my grandmother. She was a well -liked person. Dreams of my grandmother were always a good sign. Whether I am going through good or bad times, she is always there to let me know that everything will be O.K.

PONIES DOUNIA TAZI, AGE 11 I have a little pony a little pink one indeed.

It is really small and its fur is straight.

At least that’s what I see, but it is not a regular pony.

It’s different from the others.

It has 2 feet, 3 hands, and lots and lots of feathers.

Its tail curls like a pig’s and it loves to eat sweet figs!

It loves to read fables and it is really smart.

It knows all the multiplication tables.

She is always late for everything and she loves to wear jewelry and says, “Bling-bling-bling!”

And by the way, she talks, flies and is really, really nice.

That is why my pony is different from others.

46

THANKSGIVING DOUNIA TAZI Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

We laugh, sing, run around and play.

It is a beautiful thankful extremely fun holiday.

You are with your family and friends.

You eat turkey and you lend a hand.

That is what it is all about.

MY HOUSE IN MOROCCO DOUNIA TAZI At Morocco, we lived in a house on the beach.

It was a very big house.

In Marrach, we had another big house.

And we have three houses in Casablanca with seven rooms.

I remember we would go out to the sun everyday.

We had three maids.

My favorite was Mina.

I feel like she is my sister, or even closer, like my mother.

She took care of me while I was in Morocco, while my mother was still in America doing paperwork.

But it was all worth it!

47

ME SHUNN THEINGI, AGE 12 My nose is white.

My smile is like candy.

My face is like a girl’s.

I look like a fairy.

I’m very, very smart.

My feet are very, very small.

My hands are very smooth.

My voice is very low.

I walk like a butterfly.

I dance like a monkey.

I run like a zebra.

I’m very, very special.

My heart is very kind.

I like my teacher from last year.

I love myself, but…

I wish I had a machine that did everything for me.

48

HAMSTER SHUNN THEINGI My hamster is special.

It is different from others.

It runs as fast as lightening.

It is one inch tall, but can eat as much as a person.

If you play hide-and-seek with him, You will never find him.

But he can see you because he has really good eyes.

He can camouflage, blend in with his surroundings, Which makes it harder to find him.

Because he has really good ears, if you talk about him, He can hear you from far away.

My hamster is also as soft as a pillow.

Blue-ish, red-ish, orange-ish, purple-ish, pink-ish, green-ish, and yellow-ish.

It also has a special colors: rainbow-ish colors.

MY FAVORITE SEASON SHUNN THEINGI My favorite season is spring.

Not too hot, not too cold.

A good time for swimming.

The water being just right.

Flowers are blooming and birds are singing.

49

50

51

$5.00

Imane Azzam-Rehali

Ajay Kowlasser

Coney Takehana Bank

Myint Myat Thinn Kyi

Chiyo Takehana Bank

Daniel Lau

Ahmed Elnagar

Kimberly Lau

Marwa Elnagar

Cindy Lau

Nora Elnagar

Andrew Leong

Sara Elnagar

Brian Leong

Bianca Guese

Brianna Ramkeeson

Geraldine Guese

Britney Ramkeeson

Yolly Guese

Emma Ramkeeson

Antony Hargodin

Dounia Tazi

Reina Ito

Shunn Theingi

52