VERTERAN broadcaster Patrick Lafayette makes his debut as writer and ‘ventriloquist’ with his groundbreaking and educational Mas Joe’s Christmas Adventure — a reading and colouring book combined with a dynamic dramatised audio cd.

“It’s an idea I have had for years. I did the audio initially, but last year I thought about it some more and decided to introduce the written version of the story, as well as the colouring book,” said Lafayette, who now runs his own production company, Twin Audio Network.

“Everyone who has got a copy of Mas Joe’s Christmas Adventure has loved it. It has wide appeal and I am particularly happy that it can also be used as stimulating audiovisual material for children with disabilities,” he added.

The Mas Joe Christmas Adventure series is a lively set of three stories that put a Jamaican spin on the traditional Santa story. Written and produced by Lafayette, one gets to see him in the role of ‘ventriloquist’ as all the voices on the cd are done by him.

In the first story, a Jamaican hero — Mas Joe — finds a creative way of saving Christmas by helping Santa to source toys through non-traditional means — using garbage to make them. How they do that is something that the reader and listener will enjoy finding out.

For story number two, Budshell — a rural Jamaican donkey — teams up with Mas Joe and Santa to give Rudolph, the Red nosed reindeer, a much needed break during the hectic gift-giving season.

But it is in the final story that much Jamaican folklore comes as Mas Joe gets to fulfill his own Christmas wishes in Jamaica through the help of Santa.

Mas Joe’s Christmas Adventure appeals to children aged six and up. Six to eight-year-old children can colour the pictures using crayons and enjoy listening to the three stories on the audio cd. Older children from nine to 12 years can colour using pencil crayons as the illustrations are dynamic and detailed. They can also read the three adventure stories while following the dramatised audio on the cd. The total package of colouring book, audio cd and crayons is available at a cost of $1,200.

“It’s fun to colour, read and listen,” said Lafayette, who is planning to make copies of the book available to children with multiple disabilities at STIMPLUS, an institution that deals with children with special needs. Located at 1A Austen Close, this organisation has 105 students; aged three to nine years old, as well as another 420 registered through the Home Intervention Programme. Lafayette, through his company, will be helping to organise a Christmas treat at this institution.

Persons interested in getting copies of the book can call 876-654-3654 or email pjl@kasnet.com.