Munsch at Home Contest Reveals Top 10

ABC Life Literacy Canada, along with the esteemed Munsch at Home Contest Judging Panel, is pleased to post the Top 10 Stories from the 2010 Munsch at Home Contest. We are sure you will enjoy reading each one of them!

A Duck, A Moose, and A Beaver

By Laura Selvaggio and Thomas (age 6), Toronto, ON

While shopping at the grocery store, Thomas asked his mother a question.
“May I have a duck please?”
“No Thomas, you may not have a duck,” replied his mother.
Thomas then asked another question.
“May I have a moose please?”
“No Thomas, you may not have a moose,” replied his mother.

Thomas waited a bit longer as they whisked down the aisles.
“Mom, may I please have a beaver?”
“Thomas, what are you going to do with a duck, a moose, and a beaver?”
“I’m going to buy something,” Thomas shouted.
Then his mother realized, Thomas didn’t know anything about money.
After dinner that night, his mother thought of a game to play with Thomas.
“Want to play a game?” asked his mother.
“Sure,” yelled Thomas.
Thomas’ mother held up a dollar. “What’s this?” she asked.
“I know, I know, that is a duck!” Thomas said.
“No no, this is one dollar,” replied his mother.
Next she held up a quarter.
“Moose, Moose!” yelled Thomas.
“No no, this is a quarter, twenty five cents,” said his mother.
Then a nickle.
“BEAVER!” shouted Thomas.
“This is a nickle, five cents,” she chuckled.
Thomas already knew about the dime and penny.
The next time they went to the store, Thomas knew exactly what to ask for.
“Mom, may I please have one dollar and thirty cents to buy a candy?”
His mother was very proud to see Thomas hand the cashier a duck, a moose, and a beaver.

Top

Ben the Dragon

By Jean François Coley, Laura Pleavin, Ben (age 3) and Olivia Christine (age 15 months), Sherbrooke, QC

Not so long ago, there was a friendly dragon named Ben. Ben liked watching the children of the village play in the park. He had always dreamt of joining in.

One day, he slowly made his way out of the forest, and into the park. The kids were startled, but quickly realized he meant them no harm. So they invited him to play with them.

First, they were going to blow bubbles. First Jimmy went. Then Alex. Then Simon. Then it was Ben's turn. But when Ben blew, his fire breath melted the bubble blower, and the kids had to stop playing. Ben was sad.

But the children moved on, and decided to play with a paper wind mill. First Jimmy blew. Then Alex. Then Simon. When Ben blew out, his fire breath melted the paper wind mill and the kids had to stop playing. Ben was sad.

But the children were resilient, and decided to go for ice cream. Oh, how ice cream seemed fun. First Jimmy got a cone. Then Alex. Then Simon. When Ben opened his mouth to take a lick, the ice cream melted. His breath was too hot!

But as the day ended, the air got cold. The kids wanted to make a fire. None of them could do it, until Ben took a deep breath, and started a roaring fire. Everyone was happy they had made friends with Ben!

Ben learned that being different can be a great thing!

Top

Cameron's Magical Lesson

By Donna Cuyler, Cameron (age 5) and Lucky (age 4), Newcastle, ON

It was game night at Cameron’s house. He wanted to play the word matching game, but then he thought about his brother.

Lucky was a special boy and had trouble following the rules. In between turns, Lucky spun around like a fan. That drove Cameron crazy. Lucky always messed up the word tiles. That made Cameron sad. Lucky never stopped talking. That made Cameron mad.

Then Cameron had a great idea. “Can I play two games mommy?” I want to put on a magic show first, then play our game. Cameron had been a good boy all day so his mommy said yes.

Cameron put on his magic cape, waved his magic wand and said, “Abracadabra, Lucky disappear!” And Lucky disappeared.

“Good,” said Cameron, “now we can play the game without all of Lucky’s interruptions.” So Cameron and Mommy and Daddy played. The game went by very quickly and very quietly, and even though Cameron won, he wasn’t very happy.

He suddenly realized that when Lucky spun around like a fan, that was funny and even though Lucky never stopped talking, he said silly things that made Cameron laugh. And with all Lucky’s interruptions, family game night lasted much longer.

“You know what Mommy? It’s not always easy to play with Lucky, but it’s always much more fun.”

Cameron put on his magic cape, waved his magic wand and said “Abracadabra, Lucky appear!” And Lucky appeared.

Cameron hugged Lucky and said, “I’ll never make you disappear again!” And he never did.

Top

Dee-Dee’s Daddy Day

By Kenneth Malcolm and Natalie (age 6), Brooklyn, NS

The first words that popped into Dee-Dee’s father’s mind when she was born were “Darling Daughter”. That’s why he calls her Dee-Dee.

As Dee-Dee grew older, Dee-Dee’s dad decided to work from home so he could spend more time with her. Dee-Dee wanted her dad to spend ALL his time with her.

One day, while her dad was doing his work, Dee-Dee quietly walked up to him and said, “Let’s play the rhyming game.”

“Not now, Dear,” replied her dad.
“Got cow fear,” rhymed Dee-Dee.

“I’ll play later,” said her dad.
“Alligator,” said Dee-Dee.

“Listen to me!” pleaded Dee-Dee’s dad.
“Glistening tree,” Dee-Dee said with a smile.

“Dee-Dee stop!” commanded her dad.
“See me hop!” Dee-Dee responded while hopping on one foot.

“That’s not funny!” said Dee-Dee’s dad getting very upset.
“Nat’s got honey!” Dee-Dee said blinking her big brown eyes.

“Quiet PLEASE!” yelled Dee-Dee’s dad.
“Diet CHEESE!” Dee-Dee yelled back.

Dee-Dee’s dad quickly thought about what would end this game. Then he said the word…“ORANGE!!!”

Dee-Dee stopped and thought about what would rhyme with orange. Nothing rhymes with orange.

“Let’s play the opposites game!” said Dee-Dee excitedly.

“No,” moaned her Dad.
“Yes!” Giggled Dee-Dee.

“Stop,” said Dee-Dee’s dad defeated.
“Go,” said Dee-Dee just waiting for the next word.

“Go…Go Fish,” thought Dee-Dee’s dad. “Let’s play a card game”, he said.
“Yeah!” yelled Dee-Dee as she hugged her daddy.

Dee-Dee’s dad realized how important playing together is to Dee-Dee and that he has a lot of fun playing too.

Top

E-I-E-I-NO! - Winning Story!

By Andrea and Richard Haynes, Angela Ewacha, Ayrison (age 9), Olea (age 7), Eden (age 4) and Nathen (age 2), Raymond, AB

James was having a birthday party with his friends and family at Old MacDonald's farm. When they arrived, Old MacDonald exclaimed, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I don't know if the animals are going to cooperate today. The chickens watched the news last night through the farm house window and now they're in an uproar about their animal rights. Why don't you start with some party games, while I try to get the animals calmed down."

"Okay," said James. "Why don't we start with Duck, Duck, Goose?"
The chickens, disgusted said, "they're not your play things!"

"Okay?!" ..... James said surprised. "Let's play something else then. How about Pin the Tail on the Donkey?
The chickens, enraged said, "what a horrible game!"

Shocked, James replied, "Okay .....then..... maybe we'll just go on the trampoline and play Crack the Egg."
The chickens blurt out, "the poor little chicks! How heartless!"

James, now annoyed said, "Alright.....I know a great game! How about What time is it Mr. Wolf?" The chickens glared at James, "YOU WOULDN'T DARE!"

Just then James' sister, Sissy, turned on her boom box and played the Chicken Dance. The baby chicks started dancing. Then the donkey, the ducks and the geese started dancing. Then the horses, the cows and the pigs started dancing. The chickens couldn't resist themselves and they started dancing too. They were having such fun, they forgot what ruffled their feathers and everyone joined in the party games.

The End

Top

Game Night Fight

By Linda M. Wahl, Rhylynn (age 8) and Rhyler (age 6), Regina, SK

The snow was falling softly on this cold December night,
While inside the Wahl household you could hear quite the fight.
You see every Friday evening around six or seven,
It was family game night, a true bonding heaven.

But never was it easy, choosing a game you see.
Except for little Rhyler, who ALWAYS picked the Wii.

Rhylynn shouted, “Rockband!”
While daddy asked, “Candyland?”
Mommy always let out her sighs,
“How ‘bout Trouble, you guys?”

No one could agree! No one would give in!
Whatever would happen? When could the playing begin?

Everyone was shouting and yelling out their choice,
When all of the sudden, they all heard a little voice.
The sound was very quiet, but it came from down the hall.
But when they all looked, there was no one there at all!

Only in the hallway lay their faithful loyal pet,
His name was Ransom, their best dog yet!
“Can’t you play them all?”
Yelled the voice from down the hall.

This time the family knew, the shout was from the dog,
But how was this possible? Did they have too much eggnog?
Was their dog really talking? Could it really be true?
The family gave it a go, what else could they do?

They took turns playing everyone’s favourite game that night,
And every Friday after, no one would disagree or fight.

But if they ever had the urge to have a sudden burst,
They would all be sure, TO LET THE DOG OUT FIRST!

Top

How Grandma Got Her Game Back

By Stephanie Lush, Abby (age 12), Nick (age 8), Casey (age 6) and Jesse (age 5), Deer Lake, NL

Every Tuesday night, Mommy and Daddy would go to dinner and leave the four Lush children at home with their grandma.

Grandma was old and wrinkly and told stories about walking to school barefoot in snowstorms. She loved mushy food, perfume and pants that went SCRITCH! SCRITCH! SCRITCH! when she walked. But most of all, Grandma loved reading!

Every Tuesday was the same. Grandma would come with her big bag of books. There were books about countries, books about animals, books about people and buildings and machines. There were even books about books.

The children didn’t look forward to Tuesdays. They loved being with Grandma, but they had read the same books so many times, they were beginning to feel book-sick.

This Tuesday was different, however. The kids heard Grandma walk through the kitchen. SCRITCH! SCRITCH! SCRITCH! When she appeared in the doorway, the children were shocked! Instead of her big bag of books, she held a big bag of... GAMES!

“Did aliens kidnap Grandma?” whispered Jesse.
“I think maybe she’s sick,” Casey said.
“You feeling okay?” asked Nicky.
Abby stared at Grandma. “Who are you and what have you done with our grandma?”

Grandma laughed. “It’s me,” she said, “and I feel just fine. Tuesdays just aren’t the same anymore. You used to love my books but something’s changed. I think you’re bored. So I brought games for us to play. After all, who said reading can’t be fun?”

Tuesday soon became the favourite night of the week!

Top

I'm Booooo-red

By Diana Duchscherer and Paige (age 7), Prince George, BC

“I’m boooooooo-red!” said Benjamin.
“I’m boooooooo-red!” said Cami.
“I’m boooooooo-red!” said Paige.
“I’m boooooooo-red!” said Daddy.

“I have an idea! Let’s play a new game!” Mommy said.

“Yay!!!” said Benjamin.
“Yay!!!” said Cami.
“Yay!!!” said Paige.
“Yay!!!” said Daddy.

“How do we play it?” Cami asks.
Mommy grins, “I will write down something on each note, and everyone gets to pick one.”

Daddy said, “I wanna go first!!”
Benjamin said, “I wanna go first!!”
Cami said, “I wanna go first!”
Paige said, “Mommy, I’ll go first!”

Everyone gets a note. Mommy said, “Ready, Set, GO!”
Paige runs to the laundry room.
Ben runs to his bedroom.
Cami runs to the kitchen.
Daddy runs to the garage.

Paige’s paper said: “Jump like a dancer and fold laundry.” She dances around the room and folds laundry.

Benjamin’s paper said: “Drive like a race car and make your bed." He races around the room and makes his bed.

Cami’s paper said: “Hop like a bunny and unload the dishwasher.” She hops around the island and unloads the dishwasher.

Daddy’s paper said: “Do the monkey dance and tidy up the garage.” He makes monkey noises and puts everything away.

When everyone came back, Paige said, “I won!”
Daddy said, “No, I won!”
Benjamin said, “No, I won!”
Cami said, “No, I won!”

They all look at Mommy, who said “Everyone wins! Still bored?”
“Noooooooo!” said Benjamin.
“Noooooooo!” said Cami.
“Noooooooo!” said Paige.
“Yes.” said Daddy.

And that’s how Daddy got stuck washing floors.

Top

Just because I am little doesn't mean I'm not like you...

By Tracey and Jim Teneycke and Caden (age 5), Ladysmith, BC

Just because I am little doesn’t mean I’m not like you
I can run and jump about and play peek-a-boo
I may be little but boy can I hide in a game of hide and seek
I can climb a tree and rough house too, it’s not like I am weak
There’s a lot I can do that you may not think
I just have to use a stool to reach the sink
I roller blade, play video-games, skate and skip too
I just may not be able to run as fast as you
There’s a lot that I can do you may not know
I can throw, catch a ball and make angels in the snow
I like to ride my scooter, it helps me get around
But I have to wear my helmet, in case I hit the ground
Just because I am little doesn’t mean I don’t pretend
I like to play games and would love to be your friend
I can swing like a monkey from the highest tree
I can sail the biggest ship on the roughest sea
I play soccer, hockey and can throw a football
I can swing a bat or racket and climb a rock wall
I sing, I dance and can even play a tune
I can even be an astronaut and fly to the moon
I can spell, write and do math too
Just because I am little doesn't mean I'm not like you

Top

Lights Out Game Night!

By Lea McPherson and Carmen (age 12), Virden, MB

One night the Bennett family was spending a quiet evening at home. Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and then everything was dark.

“Oh no!” cried Mrs. Bennett. “The power’s out!”
“Right in the middle of my TV show!” whined Mary-Ann.
“I’ll get the flashlights,” said Mr. Bennett, as he ambled away.
“Mom, the computer’s not working!” cried Gregory. “What happened?”

“The storm knocked the power out,” replied his mom. “Now, where did your dad go?”
“He went to go get the flashlight from the basement,” said Mary-Ann.
“Oh no! He can’t…..” her sentence was cut short when a horrible crash came from the basement.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Mr. Bennett clumped up the stairs rubbing his head and carrying cardboard boxes.

“Oh honey! Are you all right?” cried Mrs. Bennett.
“What are all those?” added Gregory.
“These are all our old board games. We used to play them all the time. Don’t you remember?” he asked.
“Oh yes! I remember!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennett. “Let’s play one now! How about Monopoly?”
“How?” asked Mary-Ann. “The batteries in the flashlight are almost dead.”
“We can light candles,” her mother replied. “I’ll go get them.”
They played and played until the lights came back on. “Well,” said the mother. “It was fun while it lasted.”

As she went to blow out the candles Mary-Ann stopped her. “Wait!” she said. She ran over and turned the lights back off. The family smiled at each other and went back to playing.

Top

ABC Life Literacy Canada

Top 10 Stories