Story Puzzles ‘Story Puzzles’ is an idea for a children’s puzzle that forms a link between stories (words) and puzzles (pictures).

The basic concept is to start with a short written story, the narrative/dialogue of which can then be used to describe a picture or scene. Following the story, comes the opportunity to complete a jigsaw re-creating the image depicted in the story. There will be no pictorial clue to follow, it will be down to the story to have created a meaningful visualisation for the puzzle.

For the youngest of child puzzlers this would be a very simple storyline and a single, age-related, puzzle (ie nine piece). The relationship between words and pictures should ideally facilitate learning and development.

For older children, the stories can become longer and the vocabulary more complex. So, in turn, can the puzzles, as well as, potentially, the number of them to be included. The next step may therefore be to create scenarios which would allow for the inclusion of two or three jigsaws at different points in a story. These would highlight different scenes or images being described. It could act as a means of illustration.

In this way, as a child develops so can the sophistication and demands of the ‘story puzzles’. The two can be directly linked so as to ensure a child is continually challenged. In other words, the idea is not restricted to 'a one-size fits all' concept. It can be produced, amongst other things, to mirror the needs of different age groups.

An outline example of what a ‘story puzzle’ could entail is provided in the short tale below, entitled ‘The Portrait’.

THE PORTRAITCan you imagine what the portrait may look like? Read the following short story which may give you some clues. Then complete the xx piece jigsaw. How does the picture in the puzzle compare with the picture you had in your head?

This is a short story about an episode in the life of two cats, Thomas and Edward Catterick. They are twin brothers who were born four years ago, in Catsholme, on a hot and humid, and occasionally thundery, July day.

Last week they went to Mr Painter’s Gallery and Studio, just off the High Street. It's located in a narrow passageway between the hairdressers and the greengrocers. This is very handy as you can always have an apple, a banana or some grapes whilst waiting to have your hair cut.

Story Puzzle! The Story that turns into a Jigsaw Puzzle

'The Portrait'

Read the short story about 'the portrait'

Use the clues given to tell you what the portrait may look like

Then complete the xx piece puzzle(the only help will be the image you have in your head!)

Good luck

'Let the story and your imagination be your guide'

Personally speaking, though, I wish the hairdressers was next to the bakers or the sandwich shop. I would also have preferred it if the greengrocers was next to the newsagents, but you cannot always have things your own way. Additionally, there is a lot to be said for having the toy shop opposite the park and much closer to the leisure centre and swimming pool. As for the school, the further away it is, in my opinion, the better. If there’s no room left for it that would be ideal.

The reason for Thomas and Edward’s visit to Painter’s Gallery and Studio was to have their portraits painted. It would be a portrait of the two of them, side-by-side. The completed painting would then be carefully framed, gift-wrapped and sent to their mother as a present for her Birthday. However, they had no idea which Birthday it was. So far as her annual 8 August celebrations were concerned it appeared time was now working in reverse or, at the very least, standing still.

On the day of the sitting they were both rather nervous. To be on the safe side, they only had a single bowl of Brekkie-Snacks between them. They thought this would would help to avoid any accidents.

They had never done anything like this before. The nearest was being entered, when they were very young, into the regional heats of the annual UK ‘Kitten of the Year' show. Unfortunately, they hadn’t won. They lost to a Ginger Tabby, from Tavistock. The runner-up was a Siamese from Cirencester and third place went to a long-haired Persian from Peterborough.

As soon as they arrived, Mr Painter greeted them and quietly and politely asked them to sit. Thomas was the older brother, but only by a whisker. He was born a full 10 seconds ahead of his sibling. He was carefully positioned by Mr Painter so as to be on the left of the portrait. Edward, the younger brother, was to be positioned on the right. Both had their white collar and chest fur brushed and whitened by one of Mr Painter’s enthusiastic assistants, Emily Easel. To Edward’s slight embarrassment he was, again, reminded that his white collar and chest fur was not quite as grand as his brother’s.

As Mr Painter left the room, to prepare his brushes, Emily enthusiastically raided the props cupboards. By the time of his return, she had assembled a vast array of hats, glasses, beach balls, palm plants and other assorted and miscellaneous objects to adorn the portrait. With a smile, Mr Painter gently reminded Emily these would not be required for this particular commission. In no time, Emily returned the items to their allotted shelves and locked the cupboards, before returning the keys to their neatly numbered hooks.

By now, Thomas was looking extremely dignified and relaxed. His tiger-like markings were almost shimmering under the studio lights. His green eyes sparkled as he sat there, tail upright, ears alert and his feet neatly arranged straight in front of him.

Edward, who was slightly taller and slimmer, struck a similar pose. After hours of grooming, his grey coat was perfect. His blue eyes were focused straight ahead. His long whiskers twitched in anticipation. He strained every muscle in his body in an attempt to further extend his tail.

And there they stayed for a good three-and-a-half hours. They did have one short five minute break. This allowed them both to arch their backs, lick their itches and wave their tails to and fro. Then it was straight back-to-work. There was not even time for for any nibbles or a drink.

When he had finished, Mr Painter was heard to say 'magnificent, magnificent, magnificent'. This was something he did upon the completion of all of his portraits. He used to say ‘I’ve finished', but he was told by his Grandfather, Pablo Painter, that 'magnificent' sounded much better and even more so if he repeated it three times.

Mr Painter then signed the portrait, in the top left-hand corner, before passing it to his other assistant, Ernest Tryer, for drying and framing. Ernest choose a very attractive dark, sustainable, Brazilian hardwood, from a plantation he had only just visited. He also selected a smart, rectangular brass plaque to be fixed to the bottom of the frame. This would contain Thomas’s and Edward’s names. As a finishing touch a second matching plaque, containing the Gallery’s name, would be affixed to the top of the frame.

It may also be worth noting that when we said Mr Painter had signed the portrait, we ought perhaps to have said he marked the portrait in the top left-hand corner with some bright red paint. As far as signatures are concerned, Mr Painter must have one of the oddest in the entire world of painting, whist not forgetting the decorators who are so often overlooked.

When Thomas's and Edward’s mother received the portrait, by special courier, she was heard by the entire neighbourhood to let out an enormous scream. It was the longest and loudest scream that had been heard since that awful incident a few months ago. Fortunately, this time, it was a scream of sheer delight and not one of utter terror. Her neighbours did not know this until after they had telephoned the police, the fire brigade and the ambulance service. The coastguard, army, navy and air force had also been summoned, just in case. Over cups of tea and plates of biscuits and home-made cakes, they all thought it was a wonderful portrait and was the spitting image of Thomas and Edward.

The portrait now hangs on the living room wall in Mr and Mrs Catterick’s cosy, semi-detached, cottage, just outside Catingford. On one side of the portrait are their wedding photographs. On the other side are Mrs Catterick’s school certificates, including the one for being elected Head Cat two-years running. Mr Catterick’s darts and bowls certificates continue to reign supreme, and collect dust, in the attic.

But pride of place now belongs to the portrait of their two boys. The fact that Edward appears to have lost the tip of his tail is something that is not usually talked about. Mr Painter is still blaming Ernest Tryer, while young Ernest is adamant the tip was never there in the first place.

The illustration below is intended to be a representation ofwhat a competed puzzle could look like.

THOMAS AND EDWARD CATTERICK

PAINTER’S GALLERY AND STUDIO