In a Toy Shop: A Christmas Play for Small Children

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 55001 *** Price, 25 Cents In a Toy Shop A Christmas Play for Small Children By EFFA E. PRESTON [Illustration] PAINE PUBLISHING CO. DAYTON, OHIO Song Specialties for Your Entertainments Teachers are discovering that no matter how much novelty there is in their entertainment, how well it is arranged, how thoroughly drilled, if they want to hold the active interest of the audience they must use the best of songs. The songs must be real novelties. The words must be interesting as well as decidedly clever. The music must be catchy and abounding in rich melody. With these things in mind we have prepared this list of superior song novelties for our patrons. All are in regular sheet music form. _Price, 35 cents each; 5 for $1.25_ WELCOME SONGS We’ve Just Arrived from Bashful Town. We Hope You’ve Brought Your Smiles Along. Come and Partake of Our Welcome Cake. We’re Very Glad to See You Here. With Quaking Hearts We Welcome You. CLOSING SONGS Mr. Sun and Mrs. Moon. Now, Aren’t You Glad You Came? We Do Not Like to Say Goodbye. We’ll Now Have to Say Goodbye. _Paine Publishing Co., Dayton, Ohio_ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IN A TOY SHOP _A Christmas Play for Small Children_ _By_ EFFA E. PRESTON COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY L. M. PAINE PAINE PUBLISHING COMPANY DAYTON, OHIO ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In a Toy Shop SCENE Interior of toy shop—counter at back of stage, stools in front of counter. No toys are in sight as place is closed for the night. When curtain rises the proprietor has on hat and coat ready to leave. TIME Late in the evening the week before Christmas. CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES SOLDIERS—Boys in blue soldier suits or in scout suits. BOOKS—Girls in white, book covers of yellow cardboard suspended, front and back, from shoulders. Names printed on covers in black letters. BLOCKS—Girls in white, hollow white pasteboard box fastened about waist. All four sides of box bear same letter in red. There are letters for CAT, DOG and HEN. Any letters which spell a word may be used. TOPS—Any number of girls in bright red dresses, very short, full skirts that stand out as they spin. JUMPING JACKS—Boys in bright green suits made like tights, legs cut to cover feet, pointed green caps, long sticks fastened up their backs. DOLLS—Girls with blonde curls, half in pink dresses and hats; rest in blue, white slippers and stockings. TEDDY BEAR—Boy in bear suit, false face. STICKS OF CANDY—Girls dressed in long straight gowns of striped material, stripes running around. May be red and white, black and white, yellow and white, green and white, and brown and white. DOMINOES—Represented by three girls in white with dominoes made of black cardboard with white numbers pinned on dresses. Use double six, double five and double fours. PROPRIETOR—Tall boy in cap and long overcoat. In a Toy Shop PROPRIETOR: I’m glad it’s closing time for I’m tired. I always work so hard the week before Christmas and I had a lot of new toys to put away today. I hope I have no trouble in selling them but times are hard. [_Shakes head._] Times are hard and Christmas isn’t what it used to be. [_He goes out, locking door. A light is left burning for the night. A voice calls from back of counter which should be high to make toys seem small._] VOICE: Has he really gone? SECOND VOICE, _from large box in corner_. [_It is the TEDDY BEAR._] Yes, I heard the door slam. FIRST VOICE: Come on out, friends, he’s gone. _From behind counter come TIN SOLDIERS, marching in single file to tune of John Brown’s Body. They sing._ FIRST TIN SOLDIER: We’re brave toy soldiers dressed in uniforms so bright and new. We’ve been packed in horrid boxes till we’re feeling very blue. You’ll find us sturdy fighters and we’re brave defenders too, Toy soldiers brave and bold. _Chorus_: See the brave toy soldiers marching, See the brave toy soldiers marching, See the brave toy soldiers marching, Toy soldiers brave and bold. SECOND TIN SOLDIER: We’ve never been in battle but we’re very sure we’re brave And in any time of danger we’ll be proud our land to save, And you’ll always find us marching where our bonny flag shall wave, Toy soldiers brave and bold. THIRD TIN SOLDIER: We’re every one commanders—I give orders just to _me_ And all the others drill themselves as fine as fine can be. We’re a most delightful army as you all can plainly see, Toy soldiers brave and bold. If possible a simple military drill should be performed. They march to one side. From behind counter come books. They go to front of stage. As each one finishes saying her verse she steps to rear of stage across from SOLDIERS. FIRST BOOK: I’m Grimm’s Fairy Tales—every one likes me. SECOND BOOK: I’m Peter Rabbit, as cunning as can be. THIRD BOOK: I’m Anderson’s Fairy Tales, charming and sweet. FOURTH BOOK: I’m Black Beauty, a horse so fleet. FIFTH BOOK: I’m Alice in Wonderland—funny and queer. SIXTH BOOK: I’m the Bluebird—happy and dear. SEVENTH BOOK: I’m Robinson Crusoe—adventures so wild. EIGHTH BOOK: I’m Mother Goose, loved by every child. NINTH BOOK: I’m Hiawatha, the Indian boy. TENTH BOOK: I’m Peter Pan, the spirit of joy. ALL: We’re nice gifts for Christmas, As nice as can be, And a child will be lucky If Santa brings me. [_Pointing to self._] [BLOCKS _come from behind the counter._] ALL BLOCKS: We spell words. [THREE BLOCKS, _C, A, T, step out from rest and say_]: C—A—T— spells cat. [_In same way other blocks spell_ DOG _and_ HEN.] C BLOCK: C’s a charming letter and stands for lots of things, For candy, curls, and cream cakes, for crows with shiny wings. A BLOCK: A’s an awful letter, it stands for aches and ails, For anger, anxious, artful, and apes with curly tails. T BLOCK: T’s a tiresome letter, it stands for teach and time For test and think and thunder, for tickets, each a dime. D BLOCK: D’s a dainty letter, it stands for dear and dove, For delicate, delicious, for dollies that you love. O BLOCK: O’s an oval letter, it stands for oak and oar, For oatmeal and for oven, for owl and open door. G BLOCK: G’s a gaudy letter, it stands for gilt and gold, For gorgeous, grand and gleeful, for gladness, too, I’m told. H BLOCK: H is a happy letter, it stands for Ho, Ho, Ho, For hop and hope and helping, for health and home you know. E BLOCK: E is an eccentric letter, it stands for ear and eye, For enter and for exit, and it is the end of pie. N BLOCK: N is a needed letter, it stands for nosegay bright, It stands for nice and naughty, for nonsense, noon and night. ALL BLOCKS: We can spell Christmas and Santa Claus; we can spell anything, but we’re tired now, we’ll have to rest. [BLOCKS _go to rear of stage, in front of soldiers._] [TOPS _run out,—as they reach center of stage they sing._] _Air_: RIG-A-JIG-JIG 1—We gayly spin with merry din Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho. When’er we come you’ll hear us hum. Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho. _Chorus_: Spinning around hear us gayly hum, We gayly hum, we gayly hum. Spinning around hear us gayly hum, We gayly, gayly hum. We spin and hum, we spin and hum. We spin and hum, we spin and hum. Spinning around hear us gayly hum, We spin and gayly hum. 2—With dizzy head and dress of red Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho, We turn and twirl and twist and whirl, Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho. [_They spin round and round making a humming sound until exhausted. They fall back opposite blocks, in front of books. JUMPING JACKS come out walking jerkily._] ALL JUMPING JACKS: We are the jolly JUMPING JACKS, And pointed sticks run up our backs. A trifle awkward we admit, But everywhere we make a hit. We’ll do some stunts to please you now. Come—all together we will bow. [_They bow._] [_They do the following drill to music of any lively march holding each number four beats._] DRILL: 1—Heads down. 2—Heads up. 3—Right hand up. 4—Left hand up. 5—Both hands down. 6—Right knee up. 7—Right knee down. 8—Left knee up. 9—Left knee down. 10—Hands on hips. 11—Bow. 12—Stand at attention. This may be continued indefinitely or modified in many ways. The JUMPING JACKS should stand in two rows. After first part of drill is finished have first row bend knees low through four beats, then rise and second row bend knees for four beats and repeat till tired, when all march to rear of stage in front of blocks. All movements as jerky as possible. [DOLLS _come to front of stage and sing._] _Song—Air_: MASSA’S IN THE COLD, COLD GROUND 1—We are beautiful French dollies— See our dresses fine. See our curling hair so golden, See our lovely bright eyes shine. We can say Papa and Mama Close our eyes and cry, We are most delightful dollies, And of course our price is high. _Chorus_: Lovely French dollies, Most polite are we, Would you like to be my owner? Just step in and purchase me. 2—We have crossed the briny ocean Just to come to you, And we’re feeling almost homesick, Feeling rather sad and blue. If some little girl should buy us We would happy be. We belong in Christmas stockings, Hanging from a Christmas tree. [_They go in front of tops, moving stiffly. Lid of box in corner raises slowly and a TEDDY BEAR sticks out his head._] TEDDY BEAR: Are you sure there aren’t any hunters here? SOLDIERS: Yes, it’s all right, TEDDY, come on out and stretch your legs. You must be stiff sitting in that box so long. [TEDDY BEAR _comes slowly out stretching himself and yawning._] TEDDY: Woof, Woof. I’d like some honey. Or something good and sweet. I hope whoever comes for me Knows what bears like to eat. I’m always, always, hungry, But gentle, kind and mild. And it gives me lots of pleasure To embrace a little child. ALL: But, TEDDY, you hug them too hard. TEDDY: No, really I don’t, that’s only gossip you’ve heard I’m always very gentle and I love folks very much. I’m too affectionate I’m afraid. [TEDDY _goes to back of stage and sits on floor rubbing his legs which are stiff from being so long in the box._] _Enter STICKS OF CANDY._ ALL _say_: We are very popular because we are so sweet. And some folks fairly eat us up. We’re always very neat. For we’re wrapped in tissue paper as soon as we are made And that’s why we are always fresh and our colors never fade. PEPPERMINT STICK [_red and white_]: I have a hot temper but yet I agree With most everybody as well as can be. I’m of peppermint flavor and fine after dinner. I’ll help you digest all your food and grow thinner. BLACK _and_ WHITE STICK, LICORICE: If you have a cough try me, Your cold I’ll help right instantly. I’m made of licorice and will Help you over many an ill. LEMON STICK [_yellow and white_]: Who likes lemon? I’m lovely and hard. Try me just once and I’ll win your regard. SPEARMINT STICK [_green and white_]: Spearmint’s so refreshing, just try me. I will make you cheerful you will all agree. CHOCOLATE STICK [_brown and white_]: Everyone eats chocolate, girls and boys as well, If the rest stay in the jar, I am sure _I’ll_ sell. ALL STICKS: We all are very filling For Christmas stockings and are willing To bet we’ll be the first to sell. ALL OTHERS: Don’t be so conceited. Your praise let others tell. [_Sticks go to back of stage. DOMINOES enter._] DOMINOES: We represent the pack. The rest are too tired to come out but we have more spots than they, so are stronger. We think there should be a game of DOMINOES in every stocking this Christmas. ALL OTHERS: So do we, SPOTS, so do we. [DOMINOES _sit on floor. Clock strikes twelve._] A SOLDIER: Twelve o’clock. We’d better go back to our shelves and boxes. A DOLL: Yes, we need lots of sleep so we’ll look nice tomorrow. I’d hate not to be sold. ALL TOYS: I’m sure _I’ll_ be sold, anyway. TEDDY BEAR: Let’s sing a song and then get back where we belong. ALL _sing_— _Air_: HOME, SWEET HOME 1—When sunlight is beaming we’re still as can be But when night hovers o’er us in dark mystery We come from our boxes, down from our shelves we climb, And while the world is sleeping we have a jolly time. _Chorus_: Here, while the world’s asleep A jolly watch we’ll keep. Oh, we watch while others sleep. 2—When the toy shop is silent and dark shadows fall Then out from the counter we stealthily crawl Our boxes are tiresome as tiresome can be, We yearn for the darkness that brings liberty. To soft music of Home, Sweet Home they disappear behind counter, dolls, first and soldiers last. TEDDY BEAR climbs in his box and pulls down lid. ALL: Good night. Good night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Entertainments for All Occasions _Special Day Entertainments_ =BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES=—Irish $0.40 =CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS=—Irish .40 =CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS=—Irish .40 =CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’=—Guptill .25 =CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN HOLLER=—Guptill .25 =CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S=—Irish .25 =CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE=—Irish .25 =IN A TOY SHOP=—Preston .25 =THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK=—Irish .40 =PUMPKIN PIE PETER=—Irish .25 =THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH=—Irish .25 =SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS=—Preston .25 =A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND=—Preston .25 =A THANKSGIVING CONSPIRACY=—Irish .25 =A THANKSGIVING DREAM=—Preston .25 =A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS=—Guptill .25 _Dialogues and Children’s Plays_ =ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR=—Wilbur $0.25 =DOLLS ON DRESS PARADE=—Preston .25 =A PARTY IN MOTHER GOOSE LAND=—Preston .25 =SNAPPY HUMOROUS DIALOGUES=—Irish .40 _Recitations and Pantomimes_ =CATCHY PRIMARY RECITATIONS=—Irish $0.30 =OLD TIME SONGS PANTOMIMED=—Irish .40 _Plays_ =THE DEAREST THING IN BOOTS=—MacKenzie $0.25 =THE GREAT CHICKEN STEALING CASE OF EBENEZER .25 COUNTY=—Richardson =THE GREAT WHISKEY STEALING CASE=—Richardson .25 =MISS JANIE; OR, THE CURTAILED COURTSHIP=—Bonham .25 =THAT AWFUL LETTER=—MacKenzie .25 =THE UNEXPECTED GUEST=—MacKenzie .25 _Monologues_ =AS OUR WASHWOMAN SEES IT=—MacKenzie $0.25 =ASK OUIJA=—MacKenzie .25 =THE COUNTRY COUSIN SPEAKS HER MIND=—MacKenzie .25 =GLADYS REVIEWS THE DANCE=—MacKenzie .25 =I’M ENGAGED=—MacKenzie .25 =SHE SAYS SHE STUDIES=—MacKenzie .25 =SUSAN GETS READY FOR CHURCH=—MacKenzie .25 PAINE PUBLISHING CO. Dayton, Ohio Entertainments for Christmas CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS By Marie Irish For children of all grades. Contents: 50 recitations, 8 monologues, 11 plays and dialogues, 5 drills and marches, 8 tableaux, 4 pantomimes, 8 pantomimed carols, 8 songs, etc. =Price, 40 cents.= THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK By Marie Irish For children under ten years of age. Contents: 68 recitations, 12 exercises, 7 songs, 6 drills, 12 dialogues and plays, 9 pantomimes. =Price, 40 cents.= BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES By Marie Irish Twelve pantomimes, each accompanied by complete words, directions and music. Some are serious and some are in a lighter vein. =Price, 40 cents.= CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS By Marie Irish Ten dialogues for Primary Grades, 10 dialogues for Intermediate Grades and 8 plays for Grammar Grades. =Price, 40 cents.= CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’ By Elizabeth F. Guptill Brimful of fun and Christmas spirit. For any number of young folks and children. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.= CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN’ HOLLER By Elizabeth F. Guptill The old-fashioned school is rehearsing for the Christmas entertainment. Funny from beginning to end. Time, 30 minutes. For any number of children. =Price, 25 cents.= CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S By Marie Irish For all grades. 4 males, 5 females. Time, 30 minutes. A most unusual play. Plenty of wit and humor as well as more serious episodes. Sure to be a success. =Price, 25 cents.= CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE By Marie Irish A back woods school entertainment is featured. Easy to prepare and plenty of fun. For 6 boys and 8 girls. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.= IN A TOY SHOP By Effa E. Preston In rhyme. For 12 or more small children. A clever little play that will please. Time, 20 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.= THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH By Marie Irish For upper grades. 5 males and 6 females. Time, 30 minutes. Plenty of fun and a great surprise. =Price, 25 cents.= SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS By Marie Irish For 4 boys and 4 girls. For mixed grades. Time, 25 minutes. The older children play Santa Claus for the younger ones. =Price, 25 cents.= A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND By Effa E. Preston In rhyme. 8 boys, 7 girls. Time, 20 minutes. Very easy but effective. =Price, 25 cents.= A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS By Elizabeth F. Guptill Humorous. For any number of children under fourteen years of age. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.= PAINE PUBLISHING CO. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES 1. Silently corrected typographical errors. 2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. 4. Enclosed bold font in =equals=. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In a Toy Shop, by Effa E. Preston *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 55001 ***