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Grades level iconsGrade 6
Genre information iconFantasy/SciFi
Resource type iconWriting

Sir Shaggy McPatches

by Ayana A., Grade 6, 826NYC
About the Author

Ayana is a twelve-year-old girl who lives in a brick house with a younger sister and brother. She loves to cook, write, read, and sleep. Her talent is swimming, and she hopes that one day, she can scuba dive in the Caribbean. She dreams of becoming a lawyer. Ayana believes that she is not just a participant in life, but a piece to an endless puzzle.

I’ll confess. My imaginary friend has been through a lot. He goes as Sir Shaggy McPatches for this reason. He is a furry, light blue blanket who has faced childhood himself. Sir Shaggy is a sympathetic one to carry all my salty tears when I’m sad, and is never at a loss for words when I’m needing his comfort. I can smell fresh laundry detergent and comforting coffee beans brewing in Sir Shaggy. Even though he might have lost a couple of pieces of fur on his journey with me, I’ll let you in on a little secret: he is still here! 

And thus, I must admit that Sir Shaggy is quite disheveled. 

His last name, McPatches, originated from his power to patch up the fear of monsters under the bed. Each night, Sir Shaggy stays wide awake to fight all the terrifying creatures lurking around. The only whimsical trip he has solely been on was the spinning adventure inside the washing machine. Of course, he had many experiences such as being buried in grainy, itchy sand, acting as a bone for the neighborhood dog, and even facing Grandma’s painful needle stitches. Unlike ordinary people, Sir Shaggy wears socks instead of shoes. After all, shoes are not so pleasant to cuddle with. His smile is friendly, and his large black eyes symbolize sophistication. His wise words are never to be denied, because he’s simply always right. McPatches’s prized possession is a shield that says, “bedtime ninja,” which he received on his third birthday to fight off monsters and phantoms. McPatches dislikes dog drool, leather, and sarcasm. He prefers rainy days, the sound of cafe chatter, and eating double fudge cookies or turkey sandwiches. 

Sir Shaggy has an amazing skill of storytelling. He holds the power to transform your surroundings to match any story, leaving you in extreme awe. Whenever his loved ones are in danger, he feels a sense of fear that is hard to shake off. When Sir Shaggy needs comfort, he knows he can always go to his best friend, a broom named Larry. If there’s one thing that Shaggy loves to do when he finally gets a break from his full-time schedule, it is to hop on his sailboat and head out to the deep blue seas. With the wind in his fur and the waves beneath him, he finds peace to let his thoughts roam. Sir Shaggy McPatches has a mind of his own, full of wonder. Spending a normal day with Sir Shaggy is full of sharing tall tales, indulging in delicious cookies or sandwiches, and sailing across oceans. He knows how to make every moment count. By writing a letter explaining why they need one and placing it under their mattress, many people can create a blanket like Shaggy. You can always count on him! 

Sir Shaggy McPatches may just be a light blue blanket, but he holds a precious place in my heart. He has been with me through thick and thin, fighting off bedtime monsters, providing comfort, and even serving as a bone for the neighborhood dog. After all, as Sir Shaggy always says, “A good friend is like a blanket, always there to keep you warm and cozy.”


ABOUT THE PROJECT 

With Paramount Pictures’ latest film IF as inspiration, children around the nation put pens to paper to bring their imaginary friends to life through writing. Together, 826 and Paramount Pictures published three books of youth writing inspired by the upcoming film, starring John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Louis Gossett Jr., Jon Stewart, Awkwafina, Maya Rudolph, and Steve Carell.

See the lesson that inspired the writing here. Learn more about the project here.

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