3, 2, 1... Blast-Off!

3, 2, 1 . . .

Blast-off!

The First-ever KidSafe Writers’ Room After-school Tutoring Chapbook: A collection of student writing Fall 2011

Copyright © 2011 The KidSafe Writers’ Room The KidSafe Writers’ Room works with inner-city kids in East Vancouver to build lifelong literacy skills through creative writing projects (like this chapbook), tutoring and mentorships. Writers’ Room volunteer tutors provide one-on-one support so that each child receives the attention that he or she deserves. All of our programs are free for the children and families we serve.

The Writers’ Room is a project of the KidSafe Project Society, and the Writers’ Room after-school tutoring program runs at Queen Alexandra Elementary in partnership with the Vancouver School Board’s Van Tech Community School Team and the York House School.

To read more amazing student writing, visit writersroom.weebly.com.

Thank you to all of the fabulous Writers’ Room volunteers. The Writers’ Room program could not exist without you.

Cover image by Sebastian, age 8.

Table of Contents Mukmuk and Miga by Alex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 About the Philippines by Chelsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Animal Bullies by Andrew and Kyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fire Ninja Boy: The Element of Power by Nirel . . . . . . 8 Monster School by Faris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Princess Elizabeth and the Prince by Clara . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Monkey by Celest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 How to Look Pretty All the Time by Judy . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tough Guys by Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Two Snakes by Danny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Princess Renil by Renil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Big Sleep by Bogdan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Halloween Walk by Clara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Evil the Bunny by Sean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Trick-or-Treating by Sebastian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dead by Faris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Fishing for Fish by Sophia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Boy Who Didn’t Have a Bath by AJ . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 The Battle for the Championship by Mark . . . . . . . . . . . 19 How I Met Crow the Hacker by Nirel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Secret Handshakes by Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Masks by Michael and Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Illustration by Jacqueline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Masks by Robert and Jaykwon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Create Peace Project by many students . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Postcard by Renil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Postcard by Chelsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Postcard by Vincent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Postcard by Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Comic by Chelsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Illustration by Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

The branches leading up to a tree house, with places for a hat and scarf, by Liza, age 5.

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Mukmuk and Miga

Written and illustrated by Alex, age 7

Once upon a time, there was an animal named Mukmuk and a whale named Miga. They were friends. In the morning, Mukmuk went to pick some blueberries because it was Miga’s birthday. Mukmuk needed blueberries for the cake.

Soon it was time for Miga’s birthday. Mukmuk brought the cake. There were no presents. Miga was so mad that she smashed the cake that Mukmuk made her.

But Mukmuk had a present for Miga. Then she said, “Sorry.”

But Mukmuk went to the blueberry bush and made another cake, and they had a great time.

5

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

About the Philippines

By Chelsea, age 9

It looks like a hot place, like Hawaii. There are lots of houses, trees and chocolate hills. It smells like fresh food, the ocean and the pool. It feels rough, because the houses are rough because they are made out of straw, leaves, wood and logs.

I got there by a plane, and it is cool when you sit in the window seat and you get to see the clouds. I went when I was four years old and when I was in kindergarten. It was like Hawaii because I was very hot, and they make boats out of wood in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, my cousins went up the roof. Then me and my cousin took away the ladder. Then my cousin was too scared and then I went up. I said, “Three, two, one,” so that we could jump. Then I jumped off but she didn’t.

6

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Animal Bullies

By Andrew and Kyle, both age 9 Once there was a rabbit named Joe. The first time he went to school, he met these three bullies named Mark, Howard and AJ. One day, Joe was getting chased by Mark, Howard and AJ. When Joe jumped into a rabbit hole, Joe was safe and the bullies walked away.

Then Joe asked his friends for help. By the way, the bullies are cats.

The next day, when Joe was walking, he saw the three bullies.

When Mark, Howard and AJ saw Joe, they chased Joe into an alley. Then Joe was trapped, but Joe said to the cats, “I am not trapped.”

Then a rabbit appeared. Then the rabbits chased the cats out of the alley.

7

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Fire Ninja Boy: The Element of Power Written and illustrated by Nirel, age 9

Once upon a time, there was a master ninja named Sho Say who had two little boys. One was named Snecky and the second one was named Fire Ninja Boy. After eleven years, the two boys grew up to be strong boys, but that’s when it was the time for Sho Say to pass out.

Then Snecky changed his name to Star Ninja Boy, and then he was so angry about people talking about Sho Say that he turned evil and hurt people who said stuff about Sho Say’s death.

Back at the dojo fire, Ninja Boy decided to be good so he could defeat his evil brother.

Then when he was walking to buy food, he met his evil brother, Star Ninja, and he said, “I will challenge you at Mount Elite Fire.”

So they both went to Mount Elite Fire and Fire Ninja used pow hammer and hit Star Ninja. And Star Ninja went to the Earth’s core and was sealed into it. And so Fire Ninja became the new master ninja.

8

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

9

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Monster School

By Faris, age 6

Classes: astronomy class, learn to sleep.

10,000 monsters Underground No homework.

They put garbage on their heads!

The monsters jump and they exercise: climb the ladder and break the wall!

They don’t have a gym.

They don’t have lunch, so they are always hungry.

Monsters are loud!

They are hairy, small and they walk on their heads!

10

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Princess Elizabeth and the Prince

By Clara, age 5

Once upon a time, Princess Elizabeth was on the SkyTrain to meet a prince. Princess Elizabeth missed her stop! “Oh no!” said Princess Elizabeth. She hopped onto the next SkyTrain.

She got off at the Broadway station. She saw the handsome prince.

The Monkey

By Celest, age 5, and her tutor, Kathleen When the monkey went out of the cage, he kicked the key out of the man’s pocket. He ran from the elephant and hid in his food. And then he ran and ran to his dad. He went to the doctor. He got a job. He had to clean all the things in the world. He later ate bananas. He got better so his dad gave him tickets. He ran away to the elephant and they slept together. He jumped on a bus and got a ride. He had noodles in a bowl.

11

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

How to Look Pretty All the Time

By Judy, age 7

Princess Alison rode in her limo with her friend Caitlin. And they did not know were to go, so they just went to the mall.

And they went shopping and they bought dresses, they bought thirty dresses. And they went to buy makeup, and Princess Alison and Caitlin bought some sparkly lipstick. They bought forty packs of it. They went home and looked pretty all the time.

Tough Guys

By Francis, age 6

Cowboy: Let’s go find treasure.

Horse: Ok, where?

Cowboy: With bad guys.

Horse: Oh no!

Cowboy: It OK. We tough.

12

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Two Snakes

By Danny, age 7

Snake and Snake bounce around.

They turn you around, make other people trip.

The people run away from them.

Snake and snake bite people.

They jump on their heads.

Princess Renil

By Renil, age 6

Once upon a time, there was a queen. Her name was Cooks.

Cooks was a good queen because she likes to cook. She likes to cook hotdogs for Princess Renil.

13

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

The Big Sleep

By Bogdan, age 10, and his tutor, Louise Once upon a time, there was a man who was sleeping zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. And then he woke up and went back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. But a big bear sat down beside him. He woke up scared! And he thought it was a dream, so he went back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The bear tickled his nose with a feather.

He still was asleep, so the bear put a small mouse in his hand.

He still was asleep. The mouse made a very loud eeeeeek sound.

He still was asleep. The earth shook and he flew into the sky.

He still was asleep, but he was very hungry and thirsty. His stomach growled! He got out of bed, went to the ground, and got a drink and a snack, and went back to sleep. But he had a very scary nightmare. He did not want to close his eyes. But he closed his eyes anyway and went to sleep. The next day, after a long sleep, he stretched and stood up. The next second, he exploded!

14

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Halloween Walk

By Clara, age 5

Clara was walking her fish. It turned into a spider! Then Clara got a new pet. It was a werewolf. It turned into a bat! Clara met a cat dressed as a scarecrow.

Evil the Bunny

Written and illustrated by Sean, age 6 Name: Evil Favourite food: bunnies Home: nowhere Favourite activity: eating bunnies Best friend: no one

15

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Trick-or-Treating

By Sebastian, age 8

On Halloween night, Sebastian and his friends Anson, Kaydon, Ali and Michael went trick-or-treating. They had fun. Then suddenly, they saw a scary one. It was Mr. Hangman and he said, “Happy Halloween. Here’s some candy.” They liked those candies and said, “Thanks.” The next house was Lady Gaga’s.

She had her own speaker so she put on some of her music, and a fake zombie popped up when you walked beside it. They loved the music, but the zombie scared them. But they went to Lady Gaga and said, “Awesome album,” and off they went to Dr. Seuss’s house. There was a skeleton body on a gurney, and they went in and rang the doorbell and Dr. Seuss came and said, “Here’s my famous books, and you have a great Halloween,” and they said, “Thank you for your famous books.”

16

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Dead

By Faris, age 6 Once upon a time, there was someone dead. He lifted up the cupcake room and threw it. He lifted up the toy room and threw it to the street.

He was tired of lifting up. He lifted up more and more and more. He wanted to destroy the whole city. He wanted to smash everyone with old cake.

Then a mountain exploded with lava. It was a volcano! Boom!

The city collapsed! The dead man turned to bones!

He turned into a half-zombie half-ghost! He stole all the money and toys from the children. He went shopping for more cake to throw in somebody’s face.

He threw 100,000,000 cakes. The cakes went into the lava.

He got ice and threw it into the lava. He jumped into the ice and played in it. He was happy.

17

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Fishing for Fish

By Sophia, age 5

The geese were on a quiet lake and they were fishing for fish.

But they accidentally met a human when they were trying to catch fish, and the human’s name was Suzie Sue.

The Boy Who Didn’t Have a Bath Written and Illustrated by AJ, age 6

Once upon a time, there was a boy in the house. He didn’t have a bath and clean up. He turned into a girl. He turned into a boy.

He turned into a boy-girl. And the end.

18

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

The Battle for the Championship

By Mark, age 8

Once upon a time, there were two former WWE champions fighting for the WWE Championship belt. The Miz got punched on the arm. The ref counted down 1, 2, 3, ding, ding.

The WWE champion, John Cena, wins, hooray!

How I Met Crow the Hacker

By Nirel, age 9

I was a child when I met Crow Hacker. I met him when I was running away from the army. I stole a rare glass-type thing.

Then I made it to a grass field and that is where I met him.

19

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Secret Handshakes

By Michael, age 7 The monster is in space and the monsters have a secret monster handshake. He loves carrots. He kills ghosts. Ghosts tackle people. The ghosts have a secret handshake with the monster.

The ghosts hate monsters.

Masks by Michael, age 7, and Ali, age 8 20

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Illustration by Jacqueline, age 5

Masks by Robert, age 7, and Jaykwon, age 6 21

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

The Create Peace Project In December, Writers’ Room super tutor Caroline brought us the Create Peace Project, where kids in North America exchange art and messages of peace on postcards with kids in Ghana, Columbia and Nepal. Our postcards will go to students at a school in Nepal and we will receive postcards from those students.

Here are some of the postcards and messages of peace that we are sending to Nepal.

Postcard by Renil, age 6 22

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Postcard by Chelsea, age 9

Peace is being nice to your friends and being friendly. Peace is being helpful to others if they get hurt or helping them out with work.

Peace is helping your parents cook, or also you can help them do the laundry and then fold it. Peace is helping them to make art and helping them do guitar if they forgot to do E on guitar. Also, helping them to learn how to play volleyball or basketball! —Chelsea, age 9 Peace is when we are sleeping. —Jan, age 6 Calm and nice and being friendly. Peace makes me feel happy.

We make peace by being nice to your friends. —Renil, age 6

23

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Postcard by Vincent, age 7

Peace is being kind to friends and everyone. —Vincent, age 7 Violence doesn’t solve anything. Caring, sharing and smiling.

Peace is loving and caring for anything. —Nirel, age 9 No war. Thank you. —Ryan, age 5­­ You should have a peaceful life in Nepal. Just to tell you what peace means, it means to love and care for others, to be kind, proud and happy for yourself. Peace is to help and care for others. P.S. Stay happy. —Brayden, age 9

24

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Peace is sharing food with your friends. Peace is eating apples with friends. —Huynh, age 9 Do you have flowers? Peace is friends. —Clara, age 5 Peace is happiness and joy. Peace spreads love everywhere!

Peace is being friends with everyone! Peace is friendship.

Peace is caring for others.

Playing with my friends!

Everyone taking care of each other!

Always being nice!

Cooperating!

Enjoy the world!

—Chelsea, age 8 Be nice and love friends forever and be happy. Be good to your friends and be safe and be kind helping other people.

—Shirley, age 8 Peace is sharing. —Giao, age 5 Peace is the opposite of war. Peace is love. —Sophia, age 5 I love you, peace. —Angelo, age 7

25

3, 2, 1 . . . Blast-off!

Peace is no violence. —Bogdan, age 10 Quiet. Sharing. Caring. Help. —Liza, age 5 Help people who are hurt.

Dear Nepal, are you a girl or a boy? What is your name? I like playing with snow. Your country is close to my country. Have you been to anywhere else? Do not be mean to anybody in your country. —Judy, age 7 Peace is being nice to your friends. —Celest, age 5 Peace is being kind to all of the people you love. —Kyle, age 9 Peace is friendly. —Azayle, age 5 Peace is friends. —Faris, age 6 Peace is no fighting and war. —Jason, age 8 Peace is playing together. —Francis, age 6 Peace is you help others and you care about others. —Ali, age 8 Peace is making friends. —Jacqueline, age 5 Peace is having friends and no war. —Mark, age 8 26

The KidSafe Writers’ Room Chapbook | Fall 2011

Peace is having fun with my friends. —Mary, age 10 Sharing is caring. —Ibtihal, age 6 Peace is being nice to people so they will be your friends.

—Selena, age 9 I love you. —Gabby, age 5 Peace is playing with friends. —Jeremiah, age 7 “Peace be with you.” —Samuel, age 10

Postcard by Mark, age 8 27

Comic by Chelsea, age 8

Illustration of the Writers’ Room by Williams, age 9, and his tutor, Adrienne