When Kids Read, Worlds Open
Welcome to Kisslandier: An imaginary story for chocolate lovers: By Fran Lewis
Welcome to Kisslandier
Dani Nicole was a child genius. She understood and learned things the first time they were taught. She also had a photographic memory for names, places, dates and just about anything. Studying for tests has always been simple since she memorizes things the first time and never forgets them. Getting all A’s is something that comes natural to her. That is why Dani decided to try her hand at something else. But this Social Studies project was not of interest to her and it would prevent her from making the Honor Roll and possibly having enough credits to go to the next grade.
One night when she was doing a boring report on some topic in History she became distracted by a noise that she heard behind her dresser. She did not know that it was me. As she got closer to the dresser it began to move away and a strange and unusual glow came from the behind it. Stepping closer she walked in the direction of the light and entered what she thought was another room in her house. When she turned around she realized that her room had disappeared and that she was in a strange place with hundreds of people staring at computers, looking at large screens and entering information in logs or notebooks. No one seemed to pay any attention to her at first. She started walking around the room and became curious as to what they were doing and why she there.
Looking around she saw all of these people focused on their computers. They were working nonstop and did not look up for even one minute. She was so busy looking at them that she did not notice a strange man with orange and green hair coming toward her. His clothes were dark black and his face was covered so you could not see anything but his eyes.
As Dani went further into the room she became aware of someone following behind her. She turned around and saw this man and two others for the first time. She stopped and could not move from where she was standing. All in front of her were large screens with pictures on it. Behind her were screens that had difficult math examples on it. On either side of the room were screens that had science and historical facts flashing by. Dani became afraid and yet even more curious. She started to try and run from the room but something pulled her back.
A man with the orange hair come toward her and blocked her path. “I am the Project Man, it is my job to make sure that everyone in the world has enough facts, words, and figures to learn and to remember everyday and that children have the knowledge to complete their projects, even the one they hate.” I needed a child to help us get started with this major project and I think you are the right one. Gathering facts that children need to know, and remembering them is something that you are good at. I decided that since you think that school is boring and that you have nothing to learn, because of your great memory; you would be the best person to help us gather this information.
However, the moment you stepped into this lab and in this room, your photographic memory has been erased and you will now have to learn these facts like everyone else. You will have your own computer to help you, you will have your own books to help you decide which facts children need, and you can decide which subject you want to handle for us. She thought and she thought and she remembered that her teacher, Ms. Bushwack, her social studies teacher had assigned one of those dreaded projects that she hated. In fact every time Dani Nicole had to do a project or even heard the word, she broke out in hives. Being smart and having a photographic memory meant that she was expected to do perfect work every time and make no mistakes. The project was to create a map of an imaginary country. She had to remember what a map of a country had on it and create the states, rivers, highways, places of interest and more on that map. However, since entering this strange place much of that information escaped her memory and now she would have to collect the information like everyone else. She might even have to write it down in order not to forget what she learned.
Dani loves chocolate and decided to create a map that other children could use called Chocokisslandier. She would use the computer they gave her to find different things that are made of chocolate and the different types of waterways, highways and places that you would find on a map of any country. As she started to compile her list she also decided on how many states she would have in her country, the cities and the names of famous places to visit and more.
Dani closed her eyes and imagined this country. She started to get tired and fell asleep. When she opened her eyes she was no longer at her station but in a strange place that smelled like Rocky Road Ice Cream. This state was called Rocky Road. In this state everything the sidewalks, the houses and the streets were all made of Rocky Road. The rivers and waterways were made of Rocky Road Fudge and the people all wore brown clothes with dark brown coats that looked like hot fudge. In this state you could visit places such as Rocky Road…Dani could not believe her eyes. As she was listing everything about this place she was actually there. The Mayor of Rocky Road, Mayor Walnut Marshmallow, created her with a large brown spoon. “Dani, welcome to Rocky Road. This is the spoon to our state and we are so glad that you came to learn more about us.” He took her to the Hot Fudge Grade School where the children sang songs about how to make hot chocolate and cocoa to her. He took her on a tour of the Chocolate Wax Museum where there were figures of Hershey, Go diva and Russell Stover. He took her to where they make the different kinds of chocolate candies and she took notes to remember everything that she was learning. He told her about the famous cities and the famous people that lived there. The most famous city in Rocky Road is called Truffles. The most famous site to see is the Truffle covered Roller Coaster in Chocoamusementland. The White Truffle Mountain is one of the seven wonders of Chocokisslandier. At the end of the tour Mayor Marshmallow gave her a book about the history of his state and wished her luck doing her project. She did not see the Project Man and she thought she was back in her own room.
Dani was back at her computer and could not remember what had happened until she looked down and saw her notes and the map. She remembered what she was given she was in Rocky Road. But, she could not remember being there or how she got back. Using this information she created the first part of Chocokisslandier and was ready to find create three more states in order to help these people gather the information that they needed to help children learn how to make a map of a country. But, she became tired and bored and really missed her photographic memory and started to daydream again. She had to think chocolate and she had to think of other things that had chocolate. This time when she woke up she was in the land of Chockisslandier.
The people in the room looked like chocolate kisses and were smiling down at her from the top of their silvery pointed heads. “Welcome to Chocokisslandier,” said the tallest and biggest kiss. I am the Governor of this great state and would like to welcome you here on behalf of myself and all of the Chockisslanier people. “My name is Governor Kisslandier.” This country was named after my father the first Governor of this country. “We know that you love chocolate and we heard about your project for school, so we brought you here to learn about our great state and maybe create a map of it for your project. No one knows about us and we are not on the map of the United States. We are hoping that our three states will become part of the states on your map of the United States.
“Before you decide, “said the Governor, “We would like to show you our country beginning with the state of Rocky Road.” Rocky Road is built on a mountain of walnuts and marshmallow. . In this state everything the sidewalks, the houses and the streets were all made of Rocky Road. The rivers and waterways were made of Rocky Road Fudge and the people all wore brown clothes with dark brown coats that looked like hot fudge. In this state you could visit places such as Rocky Road……Dani could not believe her eyes. The Mayor of Rocky Road, Mayor Walnut Marshmallow, greeted her with a large brown spoon. “Dani, welcome to Rocky Road. This is the spoon to our state and we are so glad that you came to learn more about us.” He took her to the Hot Fudge Grade School where the children sang songs about how to make hot chocolate and cocoa to her. He took her on a tour of the Chocolate Wax Museum where there were figures of Hershey, Godiva and Russell Stover. He took her to where they make the different kinds of chocolate candies and she took notes to remember everything that she was learning. He told her about the famous cities and the famous people that lived there. The most famous city in Rocky Road is called Truffles. The most famous site to see is the Truffle covered Roller Coaster in Chocoamusementland. The White Truffle Mountain is one of the seven wonders of Chocokisslandier. At the end of the tour Mayor Marshmallow gave her a book about the history of his state and wished her luck doing her project.
Dani began to yawn and continued dozing. When she opened her eyes she saw the most delicious site. Right in front of her was the largest hot fudge sundae with whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles. The sign on the bowl of the sundae said, Welcome to the state of Hot Fudge. Mayor Chocolate Sundae would like you to come inside. Dani could not believe her eyes. When she opened the side of the bowl she entered a new and magnificent land full people who were dressed like sundaes. Some had wide bowls around their waists and were carrying spoons to pick up anything that might spill. Others were walking with barrels of nuts, cherries and sprinkles to put on all of the sundaes that anyone might want. Mayor Chocolate Sundae greeted her at the Hall of Whipped Cream and Sundae Fame. He gave her a golden cup shaped like a sundae to welcome her. The bottom of the cup was made of pure milk chocolate.
Dani could not believe how beautiful this place was. The rivers were made of cold fudge so that the fish would be able to swim. The mountains were made of dark chocolate fudge and the top closest to the North Fudgical Polar Region was made of chocolate fudgical ice. The valleys were made of frozen fudge pops and the trees of frozen chocolate mint fudge ice cream. Everything in this land was edible since everyone here only ate chocolate. The weather was always 32 degrees or below in order to keep everything either cold or frozen. But, Dani did not feel the cold; someone gave her a delicious hot fudge chocolate drink that made her feel warm all over. She visited the school where the children were learning all about the history of chocolate, how to make chocolate, read about chocolate and use chocolate to figure out their fractions. She saw them do chocolate art using real chocolate and learn how to make the fudge in science class. She was so excited and could not believe how much fun she was learning having learning about this country.
After saying goodbye to the people in this state, she entered the final state in Chocokisslanier. Governor Kisslandier wanted her to learn more about what goes on a map and how to make his country into three states. He took her to the final state called the State of Chocolate Maps. In this state everyone had a special job. It was to make chocolate maps of Chocokisslanier hoping that it would become famous and everyone would learn about it someday. The first place she visited was where they made the chocolate rivers, lakes and streams. The second was where they made the mint chip highways, the chocolate street signs, the M&M Nut hiking trails, the Walnut Chocolate Fudge Mountains, and the Hot Fudge Equator that went across the entire state. The last place was where they had the places of interest, the parks, and the museums and of course the schools. There were so many places to see like the Rocky Mountain Fudge Park, or the Truffle Marshmallow Museum, the Math and Science Chocolate Making School and much more.
Dani was saying goodbye to the Governor Kisslandier when she heard a loud knock. It was her mother telling her to come down for dinner and stop playing computer games and start thinking about her project for school.
As Dani walked down the stairs toward the kitchen she looked into the mirror on the wall hanging at the bottom of the staircase. In the mirror she saw a strange man that looked like a big chocolate kiss smiling at her. She smiled back and nodded. Dani knew just what her project would be about and maybe it would not ruin her vacation after all.
She went into the kitchen and thought she was going to see her mom preparing breakfast for. She knew what her project would be and how she would create it. She realized what she had just experienced was a dream or was it? As Dani entered the kitchen she did not smell the usual smells of pancakes, bacon and eggs or French toast. She did not smell her mom’s green tea or her freshly brewed coffee. She did not even see her mom. The person in front of her was not anyone that she knew. He turned around and said, would you like a chocolate smoothie or a chocolate pancake for your breakfast dear? She froze in the spot where she was standing. She thought that she had just gotten up- from a dream that had helped her to decide what kind of project she would do for Social Studies and Map Skills. In reality she had just entered another dimension and had no idea why this man was in her kitchen, or was it, and how he had gotten there. He looked human until you got close up-. His body was had the shape of a Hershey Bar that was totally oversized. His head was shaped like a tootsie roll and his arms and legs looked like Snicker Bars. He was dressed in a dark brown outfit with an apron that said Choco-Bar.
Dani Nicole was a child genius. She understood and learned things the first time they were taught. She also had a photographic memory for names, places, dates and just about anything. Studying for tests has always been simple since she memorizes things the first time and never forgets them. Getting all A’s is something that comes natural to her. That is why Dani decided to try her hand at something else. But this Social Studies project was not of interest to her and it would prevent her from making the Honor Roll and possibly having enough credits to go to the next grade.
One night when she was doing a boring report on some topic in History she became distracted by a noise that she heard behind her dresser. She did not know that it was me. As she got closer to the dresser it began to move away and a strange and unusual glow came from the behind it. Stepping closer she walked in the direction of the light and entered what she thought was another room in her house. When she turned around she realized that her room had disappeared and that she was in a strange place with hundreds of people staring at computers, looking at large screens and entering information in logs or notebooks. No one seemed to pay any attention to her at first. She started walking around the room and became curious as to what they were doing and why she there.
Looking around she saw all of these people focused on their computers. They were working nonstop and did not look up for even one minute. She was so busy looking at them that she did not notice a strange man with orange and green hair coming toward her. His clothes were dark black and his face was covered so you could not see anything but his eyes.
As Dani went further into the room she became aware of someone following behind her. She turned around and saw this man and two others for the first time. She stopped and could not move from where she was standing. All in front of her were large screens with pictures on it. Behind her were screens that had difficult math examples on it. On either side of the room were screens that had science and historical facts flashing by. Dani became afraid and yet even more curious. She started to try and run from the room but something pulled her back.
A man with the orange hair come toward her and blocked her path. “I am the Project Man, it is my job to make sure that everyone in the world has enough facts, words, and figures to learn and to remember everyday and that children have the knowledge to complete their projects, even the one they hate.” I needed a child to help us get started with this major project and I think you are the right one. Gathering facts that children need to know, and remembering them is something that you are good at. I decided that since you think that school is boring and that you have nothing to learn, because of your great memory; you would be the best person to help us gather this information.
However, the moment you stepped into this lab and in this room, your photographic memory has been erased and you will now have to learn these facts like everyone else. You will have your own computer to help you, you will have your own books to help you decide which facts children need, and you can decide which subject you want to handle for us. She thought and she thought and she remembered that her teacher, Ms. Bushwack, her social studies teacher had assigned one of those dreaded projects that she hated. In fact every time Dani Nicole had to do a project or even heard the word, she broke out in hives. Being smart and having a photographic memory meant that she was expected to do perfect work every time and make no mistakes. The project was to create a map of an imaginary country. She had to remember what a map of a country had on it and create the states, rivers, highways, places of interest and more on that map. However, since entering this strange place much of that information escaped her memory and now she would have to collect the information like everyone else. She might even have to write it down in order not to forget what she learned.
Dani loves chocolate and decided to create a map that other children could use called Chocokisslandier. She would use the computer they gave her to find different things that are made of chocolate and the different types of waterways, highways and places that you would find on a map of any country. As she started to compile her list she also decided on how many states she would have in her country, the cities and the names of famous places to visit and more.
Dani closed her eyes and imagined this country. She started to get tired and fell asleep. When she opened her eyes she was no longer at her station but in a strange place that smelled like Rocky Road Ice Cream. This state was called Rocky Road. In this state everything the sidewalks, the houses and the streets were all made of Rocky Road. The rivers and waterways were made of Rocky Road Fudge and the people all wore brown clothes with dark brown coats that looked like hot fudge. In this state you could visit places such as Rocky Road…Dani could not believe her eyes. As she was listing everything about this place she was actually there. The Mayor of Rocky Road, Mayor Walnut Marshmallow, created her with a large brown spoon. “Dani, welcome to Rocky Road. This is the spoon to our state and we are so glad that you came to learn more about us.” He took her to the Hot Fudge Grade School where the children sang songs about how to make hot chocolate and cocoa to her. He took her on a tour of the Chocolate Wax Museum where there were figures of Hershey, Go diva and Russell Stover. He took her to where they make the different kinds of chocolate candies and she took notes to remember everything that she was learning. He told her about the famous cities and the famous people that lived there. The most famous city in Rocky Road is called Truffles. The most famous site to see is the Truffle covered Roller Coaster in Chocoamusementland. The White Truffle Mountain is one of the seven wonders of Chocokisslandier. At the end of the tour Mayor Marshmallow gave her a book about the history of his state and wished her luck doing her project. She did not see the Project Man and she thought she was back in her own room.
Dani was back at her computer and could not remember what had happened until she looked down and saw her notes and the map. She remembered what she was given she was in Rocky Road. But, she could not remember being there or how she got back. Using this information she created the first part of Chocokisslandier and was ready to find create three more states in order to help these people gather the information that they needed to help children learn how to make a map of a country. But, she became tired and bored and really missed her photographic memory and started to daydream again. She had to think chocolate and she had to think of other things that had chocolate. This time when she woke up she was in the land of Chockisslandier.
The people in the room looked like chocolate kisses and were smiling down at her from the top of their silvery pointed heads. “Welcome to Chocokisslandier,” said the tallest and biggest kiss. I am the Governor of this great state and would like to welcome you here on behalf of myself and all of the Chockisslanier people. “My name is Governor Kisslandier.” This country was named after my father the first Governor of this country. “We know that you love chocolate and we heard about your project for school, so we brought you here to learn about our great state and maybe create a map of it for your project. No one knows about us and we are not on the map of the United States. We are hoping that our three states will become part of the states on your map of the United States.
“Before you decide, “said the Governor, “We would like to show you our country beginning with the state of Rocky Road.” Rocky Road is built on a mountain of walnuts and marshmallow. . In this state everything the sidewalks, the houses and the streets were all made of Rocky Road. The rivers and waterways were made of Rocky Road Fudge and the people all wore brown clothes with dark brown coats that looked like hot fudge. In this state you could visit places such as Rocky Road……Dani could not believe her eyes. The Mayor of Rocky Road, Mayor Walnut Marshmallow, greeted her with a large brown spoon. “Dani, welcome to Rocky Road. This is the spoon to our state and we are so glad that you came to learn more about us.” He took her to the Hot Fudge Grade School where the children sang songs about how to make hot chocolate and cocoa to her. He took her on a tour of the Chocolate Wax Museum where there were figures of Hershey, Godiva and Russell Stover. He took her to where they make the different kinds of chocolate candies and she took notes to remember everything that she was learning. He told her about the famous cities and the famous people that lived there. The most famous city in Rocky Road is called Truffles. The most famous site to see is the Truffle covered Roller Coaster in Chocoamusementland. The White Truffle Mountain is one of the seven wonders of Chocokisslandier. At the end of the tour Mayor Marshmallow gave her a book about the history of his state and wished her luck doing her project.
Dani began to yawn and continued dozing. When she opened her eyes she saw the most delicious site. Right in front of her was the largest hot fudge sundae with whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles. The sign on the bowl of the sundae said, Welcome to the state of Hot Fudge. Mayor Chocolate Sundae would like you to come inside. Dani could not believe her eyes. When she opened the side of the bowl she entered a new and magnificent land full people who were dressed like sundaes. Some had wide bowls around their waists and were carrying spoons to pick up anything that might spill. Others were walking with barrels of nuts, cherries and sprinkles to put on all of the sundaes that anyone might want. Mayor Chocolate Sundae greeted her at the Hall of Whipped Cream and Sundae Fame. He gave her a golden cup shaped like a sundae to welcome her. The bottom of the cup was made of pure milk chocolate.
Dani could not believe how beautiful this place was. The rivers were made of cold fudge so that the fish would be able to swim. The mountains were made of dark chocolate fudge and the top closest to the North Fudgical Polar Region was made of chocolate fudgical ice. The valleys were made of frozen fudge pops and the trees of frozen chocolate mint fudge ice cream. Everything in this land was edible since everyone here only ate chocolate. The weather was always 32 degrees or below in order to keep everything either cold or frozen. But, Dani did not feel the cold; someone gave her a delicious hot fudge chocolate drink that made her feel warm all over. She visited the school where the children were learning all about the history of chocolate, how to make chocolate, read about chocolate and use chocolate to figure out their fractions. She saw them do chocolate art using real chocolate and learn how to make the fudge in science class. She was so excited and could not believe how much fun she was learning having learning about this country.
After saying goodbye to the people in this state, she entered the final state in Chocokisslanier. Governor Kisslandier wanted her to learn more about what goes on a map and how to make his country into three states. He took her to the final state called the State of Chocolate Maps. In this state everyone had a special job. It was to make chocolate maps of Chocokisslanier hoping that it would become famous and everyone would learn about it someday. The first place she visited was where they made the chocolate rivers, lakes and streams. The second was where they made the mint chip highways, the chocolate street signs, the M&M Nut hiking trails, the Walnut Chocolate Fudge Mountains, and the Hot Fudge Equator that went across the entire state. The last place was where they had the places of interest, the parks, and the museums and of course the schools. There were so many places to see like the Rocky Mountain Fudge Park, or the Truffle Marshmallow Museum, the Math and Science Chocolate Making School and much more.
Dani was saying goodbye to the Governor Kisslandier when she heard a loud knock. It was her mother telling her to come down for dinner and stop playing computer games and start thinking about her project for school.
As Dani walked down the stairs toward the kitchen she looked into the mirror on the wall hanging at the bottom of the staircase. In the mirror she saw a strange man that looked like a big chocolate kiss smiling at her. She smiled back and nodded. Dani knew just what her project would be about and maybe it would not ruin her vacation after all.
She went into the kitchen and thought she was going to see her mom preparing breakfast for. She knew what her project would be and how she would create it. She realized what she had just experienced was a dream or was it? As Dani entered the kitchen she did not smell the usual smells of pancakes, bacon and eggs or French toast. She did not smell her mom’s green tea or her freshly brewed coffee. She did not even see her mom. The person in front of her was not anyone that she knew. He turned around and said, would you like a chocolate smoothie or a chocolate pancake for your breakfast dear? She froze in the spot where she was standing. She thought that she had just gotten up- from a dream that had helped her to decide what kind of project she would do for Social Studies and Map Skills. In reality she had just entered another dimension and had no idea why this man was in her kitchen, or was it, and how he had gotten there. He looked human until you got close up-. His body was had the shape of a Hershey Bar that was totally oversized. His head was shaped like a tootsie roll and his arms and legs looked like Snicker Bars. He was dressed in a dark brown outfit with an apron that said Choco-Bar.
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