Puddles and the Christmas Play

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10/9/08

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Puddles longs for a part in the Christmas play. “But there are no cats in the Christmas play,” the Sunday School teacher tells her. On each Sunday of Advent, Puddles watches the children practise and wishes she could join in. And then the day of the play arrives and Puddles’ help is needed! Is this the chance of playing a part that Puddles has been waiting for…?

In the Puddles big book series:

Also available

A Wet and Windy Harvest for Puddles Puddles Lends a Paw

Fabulous soft toys of:

Freddie the vicar Puddles the cat

For a complete catalogue of all Books@Press products please visit

ISBN 978-0-9558886-1-8

www.booksatpress.co.uk 9 780955 888618

Gill Vaisey

Illustrations by

Louise Gwillym

For Biscuit ~ my inspiration Gill

For Neil Louise

To all our cats – Matt, Morris, Merlin, Magic, Guinevere, Arthur (who is away on an adventure), Thornton, Truffle, Mustard and Midnight Gill

Lily and Honey Louise

Published by

Books @ Press 7 Butlers Mead • Millend Blakeney • Gloucestershire GL15 4EH • UK ISBN: 978-0-9558886-1-8 Text © Gill Vaisey 2008 Illustrations © Louise Gwillym 2008 First published in the UK 2008 The right of Gill Vaisey to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Design by David Rose Printed in China through Printworks International Ltd.

Copies of this book and accompanying resources are available from: Gill Vaisey

Primary Religious Education Support Service 7 Butlers Mead • Millend Blakeney • Gloucestershire GL15 4EH • UK Telephone: 01594 516490 Email: booksatpress@hotmail.com • Website: www.booksatpress.co.uk

Puddles and the Christmas Play is the third in a series of big books which introduce very young children to aspects of the Christian faith. They are designed to capture the interest and imagination of children through the adventures of Puddles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a very mischievous cat. Look out for other titles to follow more adventures of Puddles, accompanied by the Reverend Freddie Fisher. About the Author: Gill Vaisey is a Religious Education Consultant specialising in the primary and early years phases of education. After studying for her B.Ed. Hons. degree, with Religious Studies as her specialist subject, she taught primary age pupils before taking up a post as an Advisory Teacher for Religious Education in Gwent. Gill has been a successful freelance consultant since 1996 and has developed a passion for early years education through her most recent work with this age group. About the Illustrator: Louise Gwillym is a Nursery Nurse who has been working within the school environment for eleven years. Through working with primary age children, Louise has developed her individual style of art which captures the interest and imagination of children of all ages, and in particular those in the early years phase of education. Teacher Consultant: The advice and expertise of Melissa Griffiths has been invaluable in producing this book and accompanying resources. Melissa has many yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience as an RE Co-ordinator and has worked with early years pupils for six years. Acknowledgements: Many thanks are extended to the following for their valuable comments and support: The Revd Alex Pye, Martin Holmes, Lynda Jones and Ruth Lawrence.

Puddles purred as she lay by the warm, cosy fireplace. She loved winter evenings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as long as she was snuggled up indoors!

The next morning, the ground was white with frost as Puddles followed the Reverend Freddie Fisher along the path to the front of the church. With each step, she felt the icy cold against her little pink paws.

Today was the first Sunday of Advent. Puddles watched as the Reverend Freddie Fisher lit the first candle of the Advent wreath. The one flame flickered brightly and Puddles felt warmer.

The Reverend Freddie Fisher reminded everyone that Advent was a time for looking forward to celebrating the day when Jesus was born.

Today the children were going to start practising for the Christmas play. They were all very excited.

Puddles scampered over to the children as they entered the school room. Everyone had been promised a part in the play and her fluffy tail wagged with excitement.

When the children were ready, Miss Lewis read from the Bible.

d Joseph were cold and n a y r a â&#x20AC;&#x153;M e r t h e i r l o n g j o u r ne y t f a d e r ti hem. The only place e l h t e B to t o r e s t wa s a s h e l t e r m e h t r fo t he an i m a l s! r o f d e us

, amongst the cows t h g i n t a Th h e e p , M a ry g a v e b i r t h s e h t d an b y b o y w h o w ou l d g r o w a b e h t to very special teacher a e b o t .â&#x20AC;? up

Puddles enjoyed listening to the story. She was glad that Mary and Joseph had found somewhere warm and cosy for their special baby to be born.

Puddles wondered which part she would have in the play.

Everyone had fun deciding who would be Mary and Joseph, and the angels, kings and shepherds. Ben was to be the innkeeper.

But what about Puddles?

Had she been forgotten?! She meowed loudly and rubbed herself against Miss Lewis’ legs.

“Oh Puddles,” said Miss Lewis, “there were no cats in the Christmas story. You can just watch.”

“But I could be a sheep,” thought Puddles. “Baa, baa,” said Puddles in her best sheep voice!

“Oh Puddles,” said Miss Lewis, “that’s very clever, but we have some sheep for the stable.”

“But I could be a cow,” thought Puddles. “Moo, moo,” said Puddles in her best cow voice!

“Oh Puddles,” said Miss Lewis, “that’s very clever, but we have some cows for the stable.”

“But I could be a chicken,” thought Puddles. “Cluck, cluck,” said Puddles in her best chicken voice!

“Oh Puddles,” said Miss Lewis, “that’s very clever, but we have some chickens for the stable.”

“Well, then, I could be a donkey,” thought Puddles. “Ee-aw, ee-aw,” said Puddles in her best donkey voice!

“Oh Puddles,” said Miss Lewis, “that’s very clever, but we have a donkey for the stable.”