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Norris in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade book

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In the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade WRITTEN BY ANNE SIGNOL Illustrations by William Scott Artus
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Page 1: Norris in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade book

In the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

WRITTEN BY ANNE SIGNOLIllustrations by William Scott Artus

Page 2: Norris in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade book

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Special thanks to the fundraising team at Francis House Children’s Hospice, Manchester.

St. Elisabeth’s CE Primary School, Reddish, Stockport for their kind support and book sales.

The leadership team at Reddish Vale High School for the services and time of their illustrator and

designer William Scott Artus.

This book has been written to help raise funds for the Francis House Children’s Hospice, Manchester, UK.

All profits from the book go to Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester to help the children in their care.

Written by Anne Signol and illustrated by William Scott Artus.

©2015 Anne Signol

The rights of Anne Signol to be identified as author and William Scott Artus - illustrator of this work has been asserted by Anne Signol in accordance with the Copyright,

Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First edition published in Great Britain 2015. ISBN: 9780955496837

Printed by G&H Sheet Fed Ltd, Printers - Manchester, England.

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Norris in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Norris and Gertie Gobstopper walked off the stage to the dressing room. They had come a long way since Norris the pantomime horse had been a redundant pantomime horse left in a dusty old room at J. Watts and Co theatrical costumiers. Gertie Gobstopper was also a redundant pantomime dame. They had been very famous as the dancing duo ‘Two in harmony’ but they had fallen out of favour with the public until they had been asked to perform at a charity show on Broadway.

With the noise of clapping and cheering still ringing in their ears they danced on the Broadway stage to a standing ovation.

“Well we’ve done it, would you believe it Gertie,” said Norris, “Fancy, three curtain calls and the audience still cheering. They must have liked us!”

The audience stamped their feet wanting more.

The little white mouse, Norris’ only friend, popped out of Norris’ left ear and said: “They certainly liked you but you’ll have to calm down, your head is on fire and buzzing. It’s sending electric shock waves through my feet, I’ve got to keep hopping from one foot to another to cool them down.”

“Cool your feet down,” said Gertie, “Look my feet are on fire with all that dancing, just look at them. I’ve had to take my shoes off, I’ll never get them back on again. Look Norris, my feet are all red hot and throbbing. I couldn’t dance another step.”

“Don’t take your shoes off,” said Miss Worsley’s dog, Muffin, “You’ll never get them back on again. I’ll get you a bowl of water to soak them in.”

“Norris just look at my feet, look how swollen they are. I don’t think I’ll ever dance again,” said Gertie.

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Norris laughed as Gertie put her feet into the bowl of water. “Do you know Gertie those feet look like pigs trotters and they must be hot because steam is coming off the water. They must have been very hot.”

“Well I don’t know about you but I’ve had a wonderful time and I could carry on dancing all night. I never thought I would have such an exciting time,” said Muffin, doffing his top hat, twirling his silver- topped cane and spinning round like a top. “I feel like Fred Astaire, the great American dancer.”

Just then Miss Worsley, wearing her red jacket, jodhpurs and shiny black riding boots, came in with Brendan O’Toole, choreographer and dance arranger.

“Well Norris the Broadway audience certainly loved you both, Gertie Gobstopper and Norris the Norse. ‘Two in Harmony’ is a big success. You have done so well that I have been asked to fly you up to Chicago so they can put your picture in the Hall of Fame.”

“Does that mean we are famous?” asked the little white mouse, “Are Norris and Gertie superstars?”

“I think so,” said Miss Worsley, “Get yourselves ready, we’re off to JFK Airport in half an hour.”

“Half an hour,” said Gertie, “I’ll never get my shoes on by then and I’ve got to pack my ‘In-Case’ bag and you know I HATE FLYING. My knees are knocking like castanets at the thought of it and I feel sick.”

“You’ll be alright,” said Norris, “we’ll look after you.”

Gertie tried on her shoes but, like the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, they wouldn’t go on.

“They’re too swollen,” said Norris, “but you can’t go to Chicago with no shoes on your feet. I know, Gertie, have you any rubbing oil in your ‘In-Case’ bag?”

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Norris went rummaging in her ‘In-Case’ bag and eventually found the biggest bottle of oil you have ever seen and started to rub Gertie’s left foot.

“Stop screaming Gertie. Don’t be so soft,” said Norris. “We’ve got to get these shoes on.”

He rubbed and rubbed and pushed and pulled until the left shoe went on.

“I don’t know how we are going to get the right one on. Your big toe is like a great big fat sausage. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Norris scratched his head. “I know, you’ve got a great big saw in your ‘In-Case bag’.”

He pulled the saw out of the bag and Gertie let out a blood-curdling scream.

“Oh no Norris, please don’t cut my toe off, I’ll never dance again.”

“No silly, I’m only going to cut the front out of your shoe to let your toe peep through and then we will stretch the shoe. Come on Muffin, you pull the front and I’ll pull the back half. Right now, one, two, three, pull, there you are,” said Norris. “Gertie, jam your foot in.”

As she did that, Norris stamped hard on Gertie’s foot to make sure the foot was firmly in the shoe. Gertie let out a very loud yell.

“What did you do that for?” asked Gertie.

“To make sure your foot was in the shoe,” they replied together.

Norris and Muffin stood either side of Gertie and pulled her up.

“Just put your weight first on one foot and then the other. Now balance on one foot, then the other, now hop on one foot then the other. Now WALK,” said Norris.

“Oh you are clever Norris. I can walk but I don’t think I’ll ever dance again. I’ve now got to pack my ‘In-Case’ bag. You know I have everything for every eventuality,” said Gertie.

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“Hurry up Gertie, we can’t be late,” said Norris and Muffin as they started to sing.

SONG

Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush we’ve got to get there Gertie

Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush to be there at 10 30

Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, we’re off to the Windy City

Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, we’ll be there in a jiffy

A yellow cab was outside waiting to take them from the theatre. The taxi driver had a terrible job trying to lift the ‘In-Case’ bag into the trunk as it was so heavy. In the end Norris and Brendan O’Toole had to help him. Muffin sat next to the driver with the driver’s hat on, giving a running commentary as to where they were. At last they arrived at JFK Airport and Norris and Brendan O’Toole had to lift the ‘In-Case’ bag out of the trunk.

“It’s a good job it’s got wheels on as we’d never carry it through the airport,” said Norris.

Suddenly Norris threw up his head, neighed loudly and started galloping so fast through the airport with Muffin holding on to his tail. He looked as though he was flying.

“Look, look there’s Captain Hulley and Air Hostess Glynis “They are going to fly us to Chicago,” said Norris.

“Hi Norris, hi Gertie,” said Captain Hulley, “I believe you have been a thundering success, I certainly am going to fly you to the Windy City. Norris, Miss Worsley and the little white mouse are going to sit in the cabin with our Air Hostess, Glynis. Muffin is once again my co-pilot, so you need to put on your flying helmet, goggles and scarf so you can be a real pilot.”

“Now Gertie I know you are frightened of flying so I’ve come up with a good idea. Get your parachute out of the ‘In-Case’ bag and put it on. I will switch the engines on and the draught will float you up onto the wings. Then you can give me the parachute

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through the open cockpit window and I will drag you in.”

Gertie did as she was told and dived head first through the window but her skirt flew up over her head and she looked ever so funny with her legs flailing about until Captain Hulley grabbed hold of her and pulled her into the cockpit.

Captain Hulley started the engine and Muffin, as co-pilot, said over the intercom “Now boys and girls fasten your seat belts, relax and then we are off to the Windy City where we will land at O’Hare International Airport and be met by the Lord Mayor.”

“The Lord Mayor, oh my goodness,” said Gertie, “I can’t have my photograph taken in this hat. I’ll have to go in my ‘In-Case’ bag as I brought the special hat I wore for Ascot.”

On arriving at O’Hare International Airport Miss Worsley and Brendan O’Toole embarked first and shook hands with the Mayor.

“May I introduce Gertie Gobstopper and Norris the Norse, ‘Two in Harmony’. They have just raised a lot of money for the children in the Hale House in New York. Come along now we must get your photograph taken,” said Brendan O’Toole.

“You’ll have to wait a minute as I will have to get my Ascot hat out of my ‘In-Case’ bag. I must look my best,” Gertie said, adjusting her Ascot hat on her head.

“Could we also go on the photograph?” asked the little white mouse and Muffin, “We’re part of the double act too.”

“Of course,” said Norris.

Muffin put on his top hat, white tie and twirled his silver topped cane. The little white mouse just leaned out of Norris’ left ear and said: “All I can do is smile.”

The photographer took a beautiful picture which the Mayor hung on the wall and surrounded it with twinkling lights, underneath it said ‘Two in Harmony the fantastic money raisers’.

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“I’m glad I put my Ascot hat on,” said Gertie giving a little twirl with Norris, “It does look splendid.”

Just then the Mayor started to put up a picture of a big black stallion with a white star on his forehead. Standing and watching nearby was the Black Stallion. Norris went across to introduce himself and shake his hand.

“I’m Norris and this is Gertie Gobstopper. Who are you?”

“I’m Teabag the fastest racehorse from all Ireland and I’ve just won the Triple Crown.”

“Teabag, that’s a funny name,” said Norris.

“Well it goes a long way back to my family who came from Ballyknock Te Hall in Kilkenny, Ireland and many years ago my great great grand daddy lived there with his twin brothers Declan and Dermot. They were very strong and their job at the hall was to cut the peat for the fire. There was no central heating, bales of hay or straw for the animals and they grew potatoes for the winter.

“One winter the potato crop completely failed and all the potatoes went black smelly and mushy. Soon there were no potatoes for dinner and they usually lasted all winter so everyone was very very hungry.”

“You mean there were no crisps, no chips, no mashed potato or roasties for Sunday Dinner? I couldn’t do without my crisps,” said Norris.

“You don’t have to,” said Gertie rushing forward, “Just pass me my ‘In-Case’ bag.”

She opened the bag and gave everyone a packet of crisps.

“I told you my ‘In-Case’ bag was useful. I can’t believe there were no potatoes for the whole winter,” said Gertie.

Teabag started to tell the story: “ It was a very, very bad winter with lots of snow and ice. The snow was so deep it went right up to the windowsill. One night they were all sitting down around a

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very low fire trying to keep warm when a howling wind blew up. It whistled through the keyhole, through the cracks in the door, through the windows and eventually down the chimney, putting the fire out.

“Everyone was shivering and very cold. Just then the wind got stronger and stronger and started to loosen the thatch of the roof made of straw. The wind blew and blew and slowly it got under the thatch, lifting it clean off, so there was no roof. Everyone was cold because the fire had gone out, shivering because the roof had blown off and very hungry because there were no potatoes. No crisps, no chips, no mash and no roasties for Sunday lunch – can you imagine that?

“Great great grand mammy started to cry, her teeth were chattering. “Whatever are we going to do, we can’t live like this,” she said. Declan and Dermott got up, stretched their big muscles and said, “There is only one thing for us to do. I believe there is a boat in Dublin taking workers to England to dig the Manchester Ship Canal. That’s our only chance but we’ll have to hurry to see if we can all get on board.”

“Declan and Dermott packed their picks and shovels. They knew that they could do the job as they were very big and strong. They set off at a fast gallop. Great great grand daddy and great great grand mammy set off after them but great great grand mammy only had little legs and was very delicate and couldn’t keep up with Declan and Dermott.

“She started to cry and was very breathless. She told great great grand daddy to leave her and go off after Declan and Dermott but he wouldn’t leave her so he just trotted along by her a slower pace. When they got to Dublin the boat was just leaving with Declan and Dermott on board. Great great grand mammy started crying: “We can’t go back home. The house is wrecked with no roof, there’s no fire and no potatoes.”

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“It’s alright,” said a sailor, “Don’t cry, just go around the corner. There’s another boat leaving for America, you can jump on that.”

“But we’ve only a little money,” said great great grand daddy.

“It doesn’t matter,” said the sailor, “You can sail steerage, that means below decks.”

“Whatever will we do when we get there?” asked great great grand mammy, as she was very scared of going to new places or doing anything new. “Don’t worry,” said the other passengers who were all Irish and were all in the same boat, “As long as we stick together and help each other out we will manage.”

Great great grand mammy felt better as she now had friends. They all stood on the deck as they passed the Statue of Liberty and cheered, “We’ve come so far we can’t turn back, we’ll have to make a success of it.”

Great great grand daddy wanted to know where everyone was going once they had embarked so they all said “Chicago - the Windy City.” So great great grand daddy said “We will come with you.” That’s how they settled in Chicago and started a stud farm and I am the result,” said Teabag, shaking his thick black mane and rearing up on his hind legs to show his muscles and how strong he was.

“I am Bally Knock Teabag, winner of the Triple Crown. My picture is now in the Hall of Fame like yours. I know that you two are dancers, but I bet you don’t know the Kilkenny Dash. It was an Irish folk dance to commemorate the dash from Kilkenny towards the boat for England because everyone was cold as there was no peat for the fire and hungry because of the potato blight. Shall I show you how to do it?”

Teabag stood up straight with his arms still to his side but his knees and feet flew like pistons.

“Teach me, teach me,” said Gertie, “ But I’ll just have to put a shamrock in my hair, get my Irish dancing costume out of my ‘In- Case’ bag and my tap shoes. There, I’m ready.”

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“You look like a real Irish Colleen,” said Norris.

Brendan O’Toole, choreographer and dance arranger was very impressed and said, “Do you know that I was an Irish Dance Champion from County Wicklow?”

“Really?” said Norris, “I didn’t know.”

Miss Worsley loved the dancing but thought it would be better if they had some music. They couldn’t dance without music.

“Don’t worry,” said Teabag, “I’ll send for Kelly O’Reilly the best fiddle player in the whole of Ireland.”

When Kelly came she had the most beautiful red hair, she was an absolutely stunning Irish Red Setter. Tucking the fiddle under her chin, she started to play. Muffin’s heart went boom, boom, boom, he had never seen anything as beautiful as Kelly.

“Now Muffin, you can keep time for the dancers playing the bodrhum or celtic drum,” she said.

So Muffin sat next to Kelly to provide the music. Teabag was in charge and lined everyone up. First Brendan O’Toole then Gertie, Teabag and Norris.

“Now all of you, arms stiff by your sides, body stiff, the only things that move are your knees and ankles, they should move like pistons.

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DANCE

Kilkenny Dash – (shuffle to treble) (treble and back)

1 R Shuffle, hop, step, L shuffle, hop, step R shuffle, hop, step, click, click

2 L Shuffle, hop, step, R shuffle, hop, step L shuffle, hop, step, click, click

R going forwards step, ball, change

L going forwards step, ball, change

R going backwards step, ball, change

L going backwards step, ball, change

Gallop to R 4 counts – click, click

Gallop to L 4 counts click, click

Turn to R 4 counts

Turn to L 4 counts

Click to R click to L

R foot forward stamp, stamp

“You are a fantastic dancer Teabag,” said Brendan O’Toole, “Will you come to the Hollywood Bowl with us and dance for the children? We must also take Kelly O’Reilly with us as she’s the best fiddle player I’ve ever heard and Muffin can mark time with the bodrhun. We have also got six chorus girls:

1. Louella a southern belle

2. Goldie from Wyoming

3. Sioux an American Indian

4. Sunny from California

5. Lorraine from New York

6. Conduita from Mexico”

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“They certainly will make a good display with everyone in Irish costumes and shamrocks in their hair. I think we will be a sensation. I think you all deserve a treat before we go. My cousin Captain Andy O’Toole and First Mate also have a pleasure steamer on Lake Michigan called The Celtic Drum. We could all go for a sail around the lake.”

“Oh, that would be great,” said Norris and Muffin, in harmony.

“Come on then, said Brendan O’Toole, “All down to the Navy Pier and we’ll find Captain Andy.”

“Oh!” said Gertie, “I’ll be seasick – I don’t like water!”

Muffin was very excited and had his arm around Kelly O’Reilly as he tap danced all the way to the pier. He started to sing “With a shillelagh under my arm and a twinkle in my eye, I’ll be off to the Hollywood Bowl in the morning.” Everyone laughed and started to join in. When they arrived at the Navy Pier, Captain Andy was laughing.

“I could hear you coming a mile off,” he said. “This is Celtic Drum,” he added, showing off the pleasure steamer, “My pride and joy! First Mate Cleo, help everyone on board.”

“I think we should get Gertie on board, just as she’s scared of sailing.”

“Now come on Gertie we’ll take your ‘In-Case’ bag on first as it is so big then we can get you settled.”

“First Mate Cleo, lead Gertie up the gangplank,” said the Captain. “Hold her tight so she won’t fall.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Cleo, “Just hold the rail Gertie and I’ll hold your other hand and up we go.”

“Norris be careful of your hooves, it’s ever so wobbly,” said Gertie.

“There you’ve managed it,” said Cleo, “Just sit down on the deck and you’ll have a good view of Lake Michigan.”

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“Not before they’ve all got their sailors’ hats and collars and I must have my lifebelt, water wings, flippers and snorkel out of my ‘In- Case’ bag, you know I hate sailing,” said Gertie.

Just then there was a real commotion on the pier as two evil-looking men appeared either side of Norris. They were wearing black hats pulled over their eyes, black coats with the collars turned up and black shades. They looked very frightening.

“We’re Bill and Ben the kidnap men We’ve come to steal Norris You’ll make us money by the ton Or else you’ll have to face this great big gun.”

BANG! BANG!

“You’ll sing and dance all the day To make us money and your hay We need the money NOT the children We know you’ve got gold in them there hooves.”

They then shot at Norris’ feet and laughed with each other.

“Go on Norris, dance, dance, show us how you’re going to make us rich, very rich.”

Norris looked very scared, his knees were knocking and he started to cry. A big teardrop fell down his cheek. The little white mouse hung out of his left ear.

“Whatever’s going on?” he asked.

“I was just putting on my sailor suit ready for the sail. It’s these men, they’re going to kidnap me and make me dance for money,” said Norris.

Bill came and grabbed hold of Norris’ mane and Ben put a big rope around his neck. Norris was struggling and trying to get away. He lifted his front feet in the air and gave out a very loud neigh. Gertie heard the commotion and looked up and saw the evil men standing either side of Norris.

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“I think they’re trying to steal Norris,” said Cleo, “They said they’re Bill and Ben the kidnap men and they’ve come to steal Norris.”

“Steal Norris, steal Norris, we’ll see about that. Get my ‘In-Case’ bag Cleo,” said Gertie.

She started rummaging about in it throwing everything out of it.

“There I knew we’d need them at some time,” said Gertie as she produced two shiny red boxing gloves, “Now Cleo lace them up for me.”

Which Cleo did, then with a roar, a hop skip and a jump she ran down the gangplank at top speed and said, “You think you are going to steal my Norris, you’ve not met me yet.”

She stepped back, flexed her muscles, swung her right shoulder back and punched with all her might at Bill’s chin. It was a hefty upper cut and as quick as a flash she gave Ben a swift left hook to his chin. Bill fell backwards over the rope that Norris had tied around his neck and Norris lifted his hoof and stamped hard on Bill’s toe. Bill started to cry.

“Right o, right o” said Bill.

“What do you mean, right o?” asked Gertie

“Right o, he’s standing on my right toe,” said Bill.

“Well Norris keep standing on it until they get arrested,” said Gertie.

Gertie was dancing around, sparring and punching the air.

“Now Ben, do you want another left hook or will you just go quietly,” she asked.

“No Mam, I’ll go quietly,” he replied.

Just then two big policemen arrived on horseback.

“We’re from the Chicago Police Precinct and we’ve come to arrest you both.”

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“If you don’t go quietly I’ll give you another, one... two, so don’t bother us again,” said Gertie. “I knew these would come in handy,” she said, unlacing her gloves. “My father was a British boxing champion and he taught me how to box. Do you know Norris, I feel quite refreshed and I’m looking forward to the sail,” she said.

Gertie continued: “Come on Captain Andy let’s cast off. I’m quite excited. Come on Norris let’s forget all about that, we’re going to have a good time.”

“You were very brave Norris so you can sail the boat. Hold on to the tiller. Now you’re in charge. Gertie you ring the bell to let everyone know we’re leaving the dock,” said Captain Andy.

Muffin climbed the mast, his sailor’s hat perched cheekily on his head. He looked quite comfortable sitting in the crow’s nest. He put his telescope to his eye and shouted to Gertie, “I hope you’ve got a lot of dollars in your ‘In-Case’ bag as there is the biggest shopping mall I’ve ever seen, you’ll have a great time.”

“Oh just look to starboard, there are all multi-coloured fish. I think it’s an aquarium and some of the fish are ever so big.”

“Do you know I can see lots of animals, I think it must be a zoo. There are lions, tigers and elephants. Chicago is a great place there’s lots to see.”

Just then a bell rang.

“Is that you Gertie ringing that bell?” asked Captain Andy.

“No,” said Gertie looking round to see where the ringing was coming from, “It’s First Mate Cleo’s cell phone.”

“Yes,” said Cleo, “We have Miss Worsley on board. Miss Worsley it’s for you hoo.”

Miss Worsley took the phone.

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“Yes Emma we’ll be there as soon as possible. Listen all, that was Emma Siddle from the Francis House Children’s Hospice, we have got to go back to New York she has arranged for us to be in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.”

“Don’t worry we’ll just be a little late.”

They all ran down the gangplank onto the Navy Pier.

“Come on Muffin we can’t wait too long for you. Just remember I’ve had to slide down the mast and I’m puffing and blowing like a steam train.”

Captain Hulley was waiting at the airport to fly them all back to New York.

“Hurry all of you we don’t want to miss the Parade,” said Gertie who started rummaging in her ‘In-Case’ bag.

“Miss Worsley you need the green riding jacket of Ireland instead of your red one. Norris I have a shamrock for your forelock and green ribbons for your mane. Brendan O’Toole you are already dressed in your Irish dancing clothes. Just look at my beautiful green Irish dress with a shamrock in my hair I’ll be the belle of the ball,” said Gertie.

“But what about us?” asked Muffin and the little white mouse.

“I wouldn’t leave you two out, here are two green satin jackets.”

“Here we are,” said Miss Worsley in Central Park, “They have converted the truck into the Celtic Drum. Hurry Muffin up into the crow’s nest. Norris you can be at the helm steering. Gertie you must ring the bell. Isn’t it exciting and aren’t there a lot of trucks in the parade.

“Oh look we’re off now down Fifth Avenue,” said Gertie.

“I like all the marching bands,” said Norris, “I feel like dancing.”

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“Oh look,” said Gertie, “We’re in Herald Square. Look at the Irish dancers. There’s Annie Murphy, Teabag, Kelly O’Reilly. Let’s get off. The dancers are dancing the Kilkenny Dash, we can join in Norris.”

Muffin grabbed a bodrhun and started to mark time and Norris and Gertie joined in the dance with the little white mouse hanging out of Norris’ left ear. The crowd clapped and clapped then Gertie went in her ‘In-Case’ bag and gave everyone a packet of crisps telling them that Ireland had no potatoes, no crisps, no chips, no mashed potatoes and no roasties for Sunday Dinner.

“I’m sorry we’ll have to go,” said Miss Worsley, “Come on Norris, come on Gertie, we’ve had a great time but we’ve got to get to Hollywood. Bye.”

THE END

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Recommended retail price £5.00.

All profits go to raising funds for

Francis House Children’s Hospice.

This is the story of the Irish potato famine and exodus to America as told by Norris the pantomime horse and Gertie Gobstopper the pantomime dame.

Modern children cannot imagine life without a potato.

The Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester cares for terminally ill children and Anne chose their charity to raise funds.

About the author

Anne Signol started the Sigfield Follies, a song and dance troupe, featuring an actual Norris the Norse character, in order to raise money for local children’s charities. The interest generated in Norris through these shows inspired Anne Signol to write about his adventures and

assemble them into a show entitled Norris on Broadway. Now Norris travels to New York for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade to

raise money for the Francis House Children’s Hospice.

In the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

WRITTEN BY ANNE SIGNOLIllustrations by William Scott Artus


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