Reindeer Down!

An Irish Christmas Tale Natasha Mac a’Bháird ILLUSTRATED by Audrey Dowling

Dedication

Natasha: To my lovely nieces and nephews - Leo, Donnchadh, Jacob, Aoife and Alannah.

Audrey: To Paul, for his unwavering faith in me.

First published 2019 by The O’Brien Press Ltd, 12 Terenure Road East, Rathgar, Dublin 6, D06 HD27, Ireland Tel: +353 1 4923333; Fax: +353 1 4922777 E-mail: books@obrien.ie Website: www.obrien.ie The O’Brien Press is a member of Publishing Ireland.

Copyright for text © Natasha Mac a’Bháird 2019 Copyright for illustration © Audrey Dowling 2019 Copyright for layout, editing and design © The O’Brien Press Ltd ISBN: 978-1-78849-099-3 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any way or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

654321 21 20 19 Printed and bound in Poland by Białostockie Zakłady Graficzne S.A. The paper used in this book is produced using pulp from managed forests.

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‘That’s right, Rudolph!’ called Santa.

‘Full speed ahead!

We’re nearly in Ireland!’

3

Santa and the reindeer were having a busy night.

They had been to lots of different countries and delivered thousands of presents.

Now they were high in the sky above the Atlantic Ocean, with stars twinkling above and waves crashing below.

4

Rory, the smallest reindeer, sat at the back of the sleigh.

He peered out, excited to see Ireland for the first time.

Rory was Rudolph’s son.

It was his first sleigh trip.

It was his job to help Santa sort all the presents and make sure no one was forgotten.

5

Just then the Giant’s Causeway appeared on the horizon.

‘We’re nearly there!’ Rory cried.

6

Quick as a twinkle, Santa’s sleigh passed the Giant’s Causeway.

The reindeer slowed down as the sleigh flew towards the first house.

7

The sleigh landed with a bump on the rooftop.

But instead of coming to a gentle stop it started sliding along the roof. Rory clutched the edge in fright.

What was going on?

8