Diana Schoenbrun

My View




I loved this book and can't wait to show my children. I know they will love creaing these puppets. I never thought about using holey socks or what to do with those socks that mysteriously go into the washer as a pair and come out single (where do those things go??). But now I don't have to toss them out or use them as dust rags.

And that is just one of her ideas. This book has great ideas for recycling many different materials. I love the fact that most of these materials I am sure I can find around the house, how nice that I won't be spending tons of money and having to drive to the craft store.

She lists some ideas in the book for materials you can use for puppets. And the patterns you will need for the puppets she is presenting. The book has very easy to follow instructions, which i think is key to any craft book. I like that my kids could get a hold of the book and basically not need much help from me.

One of my favorites that I love and see us doing first is the Five Little Pigs glove puppet. (Again where in the world does that other glove run off to. Is it a conspiracy with the one missing sock, that they take off together??) I love that it can be used and then we can tell a story to the littler ones in the house.

This book inspires you to rethink about how you can use things. Towards the back of the book she lists websites to check out and tips on putting on a puppet play.

I reviewed a ebook copy but as soon as this comes out I am hoping to buy it. This would be a great addition to any library, especially with kids.

… (plus d'informations)

I requested this book hoping to find some suggestions for the huge volume of socks I have collected in the back of our storyroom. This book was a little too advanced for my programs, which are aimed at ages 6 – 12, but had some really fun ideas that would be great for a teen puppet program.

The book opens with general instructions, ideas for embellishments, and some basic sewing instructions. Each of the twenty puppet projects has a list of reused and recycled materials, embellishments, construction materials and tools, and shapes to cut from patterns (provided in the book) and freehand.

Each project is given a difficulty level and has a photograph of the finished project. Construction steps are given in short, clear increments. Where needed, the steps are supplemented with illustrations. The illustrations looked a little sketchy and I’m not sure how helpful they would be, but the actual book might be clearer than the pdf file I reviewed this from. Projects include “Betty the Elephant,” “Feilong the Dragon,” “Crazy Cat” and many more. The book concludes with some tips for putting on a puppet show, other ideas for using your puppets, and further puppet-making resources.

Most of the projects require some sewing abilities, ranging from simple stitching to more complicated stitches. There is quite a bit of initial cutting involved and a hot glue gun is needed for many of the projects.

Verdict: A fun book for a few younger kids at a sleepover or with a parent, or for a teen program if your teens have some sewing and craft abilities. You’ll need at least a couple hours for even the simplest project, so if you’re planning to use these as a teen program, you may need to stretch it over several days. Recommended for a fun teen program.

ISBN: 9781449401191; Published; April 26, 2011; Review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley… (plus d'informations)