PADDY: “Hullo everybear, fox and duck. I was thinking, that as it is December, and getting close to Christmas, we might read a Christmas pantomime faerie tale, so I asked Daddy if we could borrow one of this very special antique books.”
SCOUT: “Is it one of his ones from ye olden days when the world was in black and white, Paddy?”
PADDY: “I keep telling you, Scout, it was only the telly that was in black and white, not the world, and this pantomime book is even older than the telly. It’s from the 1880s, and I’d like to point out that it is in colour!”
BOGART: “What’s a pantomime, Paddy?”
PADDY: “Paddy, well it’s like a play, but it is especially for children, and they usually perform them around Christmas time in England. Daddy and I always used to go and see a pantomime in London every Christmas!”
JAGO: “We remember those from when we lived in England, don’t we Daisy-Maud, Danny Boy, Algie and Orson?”
DANNY BOY: “Aye begorra! We do at that! Grand they were!”
ALGIE: “I always enjoyed climbing the seats as much as I enjoyed the pantomime!”
ORSON: “They were always so colourful and magical!”
DAISY-MAUD: “An always with a happily ever after.”
PADDY: “So I thought that since you weren’t in England this year, Jago, Daisy-Maud, Danny Boy, Algie and Orson, rather than taking you to the pantomime, we would bring the pantomime to you! I’ll read Daddy’s book, which has flip pages in it to show the story as it progresses, and perform all the parts!”
SCOUT: “Will you do character voices, Paddy and make it exciting and dramatic?”
PAQDDY: “Of course I will, Scout!”
SCOUT, BOGART, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, ORSON, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, FREDDY, PRINCE MAURICE and DUCKIE: “Hoorah!”
PADDY, SCOUT, BOGART, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, ORSON, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, FREDDY, PRINCE MAURICE and DUCKIE: *All sit down on the sofa with Daddy’s Cinderella Pantomime Book.*
PADDY: *Flipping page carefully and reciting.* “Her godmother then touched her with her wand, and, at the same instant, her clothes turned into cloth of beautiful pink satin, all beset with gold and jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world. Being thus decked out, she got up into her coach; but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay past midnight, telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and that her clothes would become just as they were before.”
ROSIE: “Oh look, Scout! Cinderella is wearing our favourite colour, pink!” *Claps paws in delight.*
PRINCE MAURICE: “I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy being turned into a horse.”
DUCKIE: “And I would have eaten the lizards, rather than have them as footmen. Delicious!” *Licks beak with tongue.*
PADDY, SCOUT, BOGART, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, ORSON, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, FREDDY and PRINCE MAURICE: “Yuck!” *Stick out cute little pink bear, fox and mouse tongues.*
DUCKIE: “Now, now! Don’t be hasty to judge until you’ve tried them. Actually, they are delicious!”
SCOUT: “Ssshhhh!” *Puts paw to mouth.* “Please be quiet everybear, fox, duck and mouse! I want to hear the special Cinderella pantomime story and see what is behind the next flip page. Please go on, Paddy. We are listening and watching closely!” *Excited.*
PADDY: “She promised her godmother to leave the ball before midnight; and then drove away, scarcely able to contain herself for joy.”
The theme for “Smile on Saturday” for the 2nd of December is “stuffed animals”. Now, don’t tell them, but technically Paddy, Scout, Bogart, Jago, Daisy-Maud, Rosie, Orson, Danny Boy, Algie, Freddy, Prince Maurice and Duckie are all animals, but they are the sweetest and loveliest ones… albeit a little bit demanding on occasion. If you follow my photostream, you will be familiar with them all, as they often feature in stories and adventures on Happy Teddy Bear Tuesday and sometimes other days of the week, so this week’s theme was made for me! In keeping with the spirit of the season, I always transform my photostream into a Christmas wonderland every December in the lead up to the festive season, so everybear, fox, duck and mouse are reading my rare 1882 first edition copy of the Mclaughlin Brothers Pantomime Toy Book of Cinderella, which emulates the idea of going to see a pantomime at Christmas with smaller twelve page colour flip-book at centre that opens to a little theatre with six scenes. Overlays attached to centre fold each turn to create a new scene. Christmas pantomimes are a part of my childhood growing up in England. They were always faerie tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk and Snow White. I hope you like my choice for this week’s theme, and that it makes you smile.
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.
Bogart has travelled all the way from Georgia, via Alabama as a gift to me from a friend. He has lovely Southern manners and seems to be a fun and gentle soul with an inquisitive nature.
Rosie is Scout's cousin, because like Scout, she is a free trade knitted bear from Africa. She was made in Kenya by one of the Kenana Knitters, Martha Wanjira. She is made from home spun and dyed wool. She was a gift to me from two very dear friends, including the one who gave Scout to Paddy.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Daisy-Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.
Orson, named after the little bear constellation, was made by the same friend who made Jago and Daisy-Maud. He comes ready dressed in 'trousers' made of German mohair accessorised with embroidered braces. His paws are ultra suede and his eyes are glass. He is described as being a little bit serious minded but very friendly. He's fine once he gets to know you.
Danny Boy, made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud and Orson, has a touch of the 'Oirish' in him with his emerald green scarf. He has an open mouth as he likes to sing and comes with his own songbook, "Irish Airs for Teddy Bears". He has a wobbly head to give him animation when he's talking to you, and is made of English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. Quite a happy-go-lucky little character....
Algie is made by the same friend in England who made Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson and Danny Boy. He is made of sparse English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. A very adventurous little boy, he loves to climb and sit on top of gates, edges of tables and chairs. He adore climbing trees and will cheekily sit there with crossed legs. He's very friendly and he loves adventures of any kind.
Freddy Fox is made by Merrythought in England. I bought him, of all places, from a men’s accessory shop in Melbourne’s Block Arcade, called Mr. Wares. Freddy Fox is made of English Mohair with felt paws and glass bead eyes. He has so much charm and charisma that already he is winning hearts with anyone whom he meets, and he is kind and sweet, which makes him an ideal member of our family.
Prince Maurice is a Maileg mouse, given to me as a birthday gift by my two goddaughters. Maileg (pronounced My’lye) is a brand of charming Danish-designed toys created to inspire children’s favorite playtime stories. By bringing storybook whimsy to everyday moments, Maileg toys help children (large ones and small) explore the pure and simple wonder of imagination. Beloved for their heartwarming personalities, Maileg toys show playfulness and charm in every last detail. Theirs is a timeless world filled with beautiful accessories and settings.
Duckie I saw when I was at a Sunday market on a stall of homemade knitted and crocheted items. She caught my eye straight away with her happy, smiley face and bright colours. I think she finds life with my bears intriguing and perhaps a little confusing, however she is learning.