Michelin Star Employees

November 4, 2022 Space Blog

Written and illustrated by Siyu

The sound of an alarm ringing wakes Lucia up. The sudden loud creaking sound of the awfully built wooden floor of her room echoes in the darkness of the cave that she calls home. Lucia excitedly gets ready and cooks a delicious breakfast for herself. Today she was going to check if anyone had signed up for an interview to be an employee at her newly built restaurant. Lucia was excited and anxious. 

“What if nobody signed up? What would I do then?” Lucia mumbled to herself. 

As she walked out of the dark cave called home she received a text. It was from Candy, her best friend, and well, only friend. 

“I’ll meet you at the community board,” the text read.

Approaching the community board, Lucia walks slowly in the magical forest called Luraincean. Looking at the beautiful colours of the forest, it feels peaceful until Lucia is startled by a tap on the shoulder. 

She lets out a sort of squeak and said, “Candy! One day you’ll seriously give me a heart attack!”

While laughing Candy said, “Okay! I’m sorry, it’s not my fault that you do that every time.” 

Lucia huffs while Candy keeps laughing. 

They arrive at the community board in a good mood, but it quickly changes. Looking at the community board, it was blank, there was nothing at all. As Lucia stared at the board, her expression became worse. Lucia pulled out her phone and went online to her webpage but still, there was nothing. She walked home with Candy by her side, clearly upset.

Days, weeks, months later and still not a single person even touched her poster looking for help.

“August 28, yes, that’s the date where I give up my dreams and live a normal life in my dark cave with my sensitive right eye, horns, wings, and  weird tail!” she shouted angrily to herself. 

While walking back to take her poster down, she bumped into someone. Lucia muttered, “Sorry,” before reaching to take down her poster when the person yelled in a childish tone. 

“Please don’t take that down! We would like to sign up for an interview if we’re not too late!” 

Looking back at them, Lucia sees a cat woman and a rabbit boy, both younger than her. 

With pure excitement, Lucia said, “Yes, it’s still open! We can go to my house to talk    more!” 

At Lucia’s house the interview goes well—maybe even better than well. Lucia learns that the cat woman’s name is Cynthia and that she is 21 years old. The rabbit boy’s name is Rain. He is 14. 

Cynthia completed her cooking degree in the eastern part of the Luraincean Forest and went west to start a new life. Rain didn’t want Cynthia to do all the work by herself so he wanted to work as a waiter—since he was old enough. Cynthia gave Lucia her contacts, Lucia also stated that she needed more people for the job and if she couldn’t find any, they could start in about a month. Lucia told Candy about it when she was visiting, and Candy was happy for her. Candy suggested that she could work as a cashier as well to help.

Breathing in the fall air and seeing the leaves fall while wearing a light jacket, it was September 24, exactly three weeks before the day the restaurant would officially open. 

“Lucia!” A small voice in the background said, “Lucia!”

 It was loud enough to make Lucia realize it was Rain. Rain and Cynthia clearly had something good to say. They found chefs for the job and a whole team!

“Sorry, for the last-minute notice. My friend Iris, recently lost their restaurant and is looking for a job.  Their restaurant was quite far away, so I didn’t hear from them,” said Cynthia walking beside the long River of Dawn. 

This was a great surprise for Lucia as she needed more employees.

October 15, 2033, three weeks passed—it was the official opening day! Lucia interviewed Iris and their team; they were all very qualified. Iris had also helped Lucia’s restaurant by posting the opening day online. It was popular since a lot of people loved Iris’s food. Opening day was a huge success! Customers rushed in, the line was down the street, and people were posting the food on their social media. The day was awesome! 

Dear Future Me,

Crying tears of joy, I ran to the restaurant texting everyone to meet there. It has been two years since opening day. I am 24 now. Today, I got my first Michelin star. This was always a dream for me. I was happy with the restaurant I had, but I did it—me, Lucia Woods did it. What will happen in the future? The future is uncertain, but the present is clear now. Thank you, dear employees. – October 15, 2035 

Love, Lucia, your past self

All of this was sealed in an envelope for the future, an unknown place that will never be known.

THE END

Darkness

September 25, 2022 Homepage Story, Kid's Stories, Space Blog, Young Authors

Written by Kratos

My story is about a snake named Skull Snake who wants to find his family and then go back to where he came from. 

Skull Snake has a skull snake dragon as a pet, and he can fly, slither, and teleport to anywhere he wants. He can slither like a snake, and he can fly like a dragon. He has 50 sharp tails, 550 dragon teeth, and 550 claws. His body color is black and red, and his elements are fire, void, darkness, water, lava, earth, and telekinesis. 

He lost his family to some alien catchers. Alien catchers look like humans, and they have a power called “controllable movement.” They can control stuff like objects, the ground, the furniture, and other stuff. The alien catchers used some objects to build a cage for Skull Snake. Skull Snake found out, and made a new power called “disabling people’s power,” which allows him to disable other peoples’ power by using his mind. 

To save his family, Skull Snake went to Area 51 and took control of the guards with his mind. When he took control, he disabled their powers. He flew down to another area inside Area 51 and found some unknown creatures.  The creatures flew home, scared. Finally, Skull Snake found his family. His mom, dad, brother, and sister are happy ‘cause Skull Snake rescued them. 

“Let’s go back home guys,” Skull Snake said. 

So they got their dragon, and flew home. And that’s the end.

The Legendary Art Piece of Miko

August 19, 2022 Homepage Story, Kid's Stories, Space Blog

Written by Fatimah

Shenhe is an old swordsmith ship member, and she’s trying to earn a badge from them. She is a human with white luscious straight hair and curled pointy horns with a red stripe on them. She is trained with the art of cryo/ice and uses her hand gestures whenever she is in danger. She has white eyes and her pupils are pale blue and shaped like stars. She uses a katana/sword if she has to defeat a being that is not allowed in the existing new world.

Thunder and lightning keep on making loud noises on the mountain. As she gets closer to the art piece she encounters a festival that is happening. A person who is hiding their face with their hat said, “Would you like to join the art event?” Shenhe says yes as her favourite hobby is painting. She gladly joins in. 

As time passes by she says with a confident voice, “Hah! I won and you lost, now what’s my prize?”

“Oh, the prize is the legendary art piece of miko. I believe you were trying to get a hand of it right?” 

Shenhe’s 10 friends came and said, “Woah, was it that easy?” 

“Yes it was, it really was,” Shenhe says. 

After she gets the art piece she goes back to the dojo and her dreams are fulfilled. 

The Free City

July 28, 2022 Homepage Story, Kid's Stories, Space Blog

Written and illustrated by Penelope

Sky, the blue panda and her friends Ruby, Rick, Nick, Kiwi, Lisa were swimming in the pool of her mansion when there was an earthquake in the middle of Everyone City. It left a big hole. 

Sky’s mansion was close to the big hole that the earthquake made, and the mansion and other people fell into the big hole. There, they were teleported and woke up in another city where they explored. 

“This is weird,” Kiwi said, and then found lots of stores, shops and malls. 

Meanwhile Zippy was at Sky’s house and said, “Hmm where is everyone and where is Sky’s house? This is very strange.”   

Everyone looked inside the shops and saw there was no price tag on the items.

“Why is there no price tag? Maybe everything is free,” Lisa said jokingly.

Sky laughed. There was no cashier in the shops and stores when they noticed that everything was free!

“Wow, everything is free!” everyone said. 

Then two months later everyone was teleported back to Everyone City. 

“That was the best two months of my life” said Rick and Nick. Then Sky built another mansion.  She and her friends go back to swimming in her pool every sunny afternoon.

“This is relaxing,” said Ruby. “I wish Zippy was here.”

 THE END

What To Read Based On Your Favourite TV SHOW!

July 20, 2022 Book Lovers' Club, Space Blog

What should you read based on your current TV fave? Let’s find out! 

Just like Netflix’s Stranger Things or All of Us are Dead, something strange is afoot when ghost-seeing Jake realizes he’s caught in a game of survival. Try Ryan Douglass’ The Taking of Jake Livingston.

Heartstopper and To All the Boys got us in our feels, and trans teen Felix will too as he navigates romance and the greatest love story of all–loving himself. Will it happen in Kacen Callender’s Felix Ever After?

While the heroes of Uncanny Counter and Lovecraft Country face terrifying monsters for family, exiled princess Shiori finds her brothers turned into animals–and must save them and her kingdom in Elizabeth Kim’s Six Crimson Cranes.

Where Bridgerton and Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung gave sweet historical romances, Sophia wants to change her own story–and oh, overthrow the monarchy–in Cinderella is Dead.

Like Avatar‘s Aang and Encanto‘s Mirabel, Maya discovers there’s something special about her: she’s half-god, and must protect the veil between worlds before it’s too late. Leap into Rena Barron’s Maya and the Rising Dark. 

What To Read Based On Your Favourite ANIME!

July 12, 2022 Book Lovers' Club, Homepage Story, Space Blog

After Demon Slayer, leap into another tale of family and demon-fighting when sixteen-year-old Bree stumbles upon a magic secret society in Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn!

Like Naruto, a mysterious power lurks inside sixteen-year-old Deka, who journeys to the capital amidst a magic war to find out who she really is in Namina Forna’s The Gilded Ones!

Like Ash, seventh grader Nizhoni is doing her best ⎯ to save her dad from ancient monsters, she must pass a series of trials in Rebecca Roanhorse’s Race to the Sun!

Just like Midoriya teamed up with All Might, thirteen-year-old Sikander teams up with the hero Gilgamesh to save New York in Sarwat Chadda’s City of the Plague God!

After Haikyuu!!, try the world of basketball with twelve-year-old Josh and his twin brother Jordan in Kwame Alexander’s lyrical The Crossover!

Siren’s Mythical Dream

June 21, 2022 Kid's Stories, Space Blog, Young Authors

Written by Arielle

Once upon a time there was a girl named Siren who lived in Antarctica. One night while she was sleeping in her bed she dreamt about spending Christmas with all her friends, but in real life she didn’t have any friends.

The next day Siren went to school and realized how quiet it was. She didn’t like that very much. The next day after school she told the whole village that she was going to move away to the North Pole. Her neighbors were a bit sad, but happy for Siren to start a new life somewhere else in the world. That same day she booked a flight to the North Pole for Tuesday, December 10th, 3032. Siren went back to school and told her whole class that she was going to move away to the North Pole.


December 10th finally came. Siren went to the airport, went through security, and hopped on her plane to go to the North pole. It was a long flight of 25 hours. After that long flight she finally arrived.

When she got to the North Pole she found a house to settle down in. Apparently that house was an Ice palace! Siren was so happy. A few days later she found a school to go to. She still didn’t have any friends until two girls named Lara and Livy went up to her and asked if they could be her friends. Of course Siren said yes.


Weeks and weeks later Christmas arrived. This was what Siren had been dreaming about. There was only one thing left to do: GO TO A WINTER FANTASY LAND WITH HER FRIENDS! Siren had so much fun with the girls – it was the best day she ever had.

Carina Nasturzio: Facilitator Star, Fast Swimmer, Events Management Extraordinaire!

June 21, 2022 Crew Stories, Space Blog, Story Crew

Carina is a former two-time Story Planet placement student who started back in 2017. Since then, she has officially joined the team as a facilitator, earned a Social Service Work diploma from Sheridan College, and a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is a hobbyist artist, writer, and podcaster, and loves taking care of her many plants. Outside of Story Planet she teaches swimming to children in her town and plans to complete a Masters of Social Work in the near future.

Marel Alemany: Facilitator and Cantante

May 9, 2022 Crew Stories, Space Blog, Story Crew

Marel Alemany is a singer-songwriter and film director from the Dominican Republic. He is the son of educator Pura Sanchez and creativity has been at the root of his formation and passion since he was born. A singer from an early age, in 2003 he released his debut single, “Palabras en el Aire” and started making music professionally. He has released two albums (“De Papel” in 2006 and “Carne” in 2009) and several singles, including (“Tu Guerra y la M a,” 2017, and “Navegar ” 2019). He has also composed numerous advertising jingles and two songs for the children’s books, “Super Niños” and “Tun Tun,” both written by storyteller Anya Damiron. Alongside his career as a musician, he’s worked for more than 15 years as a film director of commercials, short films, and music videos. He majored in Advertising at Seville University and later studied filmmaking before returning to his hometown of Santo Domingo in 2002. He is in the process of completing the post-graduate Children’s Media Program at Centennial College in Toronto.

Marel is a true master of many trades, whose talents in music, production, and leadership supported us in the success of our workshops and programs. We are incredibly grateful and proud to have Marel on our crew, and we can’t wait to share more about him with you!

1. A lot of what you do with us at Story Planet is guiding young folks in their creative writing journey. What or who inspires you in your creative journey?

Creativity is intrinsic to me. When I get any free time, I start day dreaming or start thinking of how to improve the world or my life and my family’s. I think they are a huge inspiration for me. My kids and my wife. They’ve inspired songs, and stories and they motivate me to look at the world with an open and critical mind.

2. We’re approaching your one year anniversary with us! Can you tell us about some of your favourite moments at Story Planet?

I enjoy everytime I read a story from a Young Authors and it blows my mind. This kids are capable of so much at such a young age, that is always a humbling experience. One of the things I enjoy the most is helping the kids create songs for the podcast or now with the songmaker program. I like when they realize they can get their ideas across with music and rhyme.

3. Aside from facilitating and being our go-to media man, you’ve also produced our first podcast and developed our SongMaker program. Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies you would like to share?!

I’ve being a singer-songwriter since I was 10, and this is very public, so not sure about if is a hidden talent. I’m also a die hard soccer fan.

 What keeps you motivated?

My family. Being a good person, doing something that helps me shape a better future.

4. In our workshops, we’re often transported to fantastical places with the kids – outer space, futuristic cities, medieval kingdoms. What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?

A fishing pole, a hunting knife and a satelite phone so I can ask someone to pick me up after I’m done exploring.

5. You’re a creative, multitalented maven! Can you tell us about what made you want to pursue a career in the creative industries? 

My mother was an educator with a passion for theatre, and I always had a musical inclination. When I was 5 I was signing in front of an audience. I remember expending hours and hours playing by myself, making up fantasy worlds, future versions of my life. Books, movies and music where my favourite friends when I was little. Even playing sports. I used to play basketball by myself, imagining I beat Michael Jordan one on one. I don’t think I could do anything, but create. I’m just happy there are industries for that. 

6. What’s next for yourself?

I’m new to Canada, and I hope I can make a life here. I wish I’m able to keep creating content (music, tv shows, stories) to inspire others, especially kids, to be kinder, creative, engage with their communities. So, I’m going to keep writing and hope that I can sustain my family by doing what I love. 

7. If you had a superpower, what would it be? And why?

I would love to be able to teleport in space and time. I just love to travel and learn about different cultures and places.

8. If you were a were-hamster (werewolf + hamster), what would you do?

Probably find other’s like me and move to the wilderness.

9. How would you describe Story Planet in one or two words?

Inspiring and necessary.

10. What is your favourite colour?

Blue.

11. If you could choose one age to be for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

30 is a sweet spot of youth, independence, energy, experience, but what would be sweet is to be 70 in the body of a 20 year old.

12. What is your favourite children’s book?

The little prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 13. What’s a song that you like a lot?

If I have to choose, I’d say Beautiful Boy by John Lennon.

14. What is your favourite place in the world? What’s a place you’d like to visit next?

Playa Bonita, Samaná in the north of the Dominican Republic. I want to go to Japan, Italy and Mexico next.