Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Puppet Play
Nonfiction Craft Book
For ages 8 to 12
Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2011 ISBN: 978-1449401191
People of all ages enjoy watching and participating in puppet shows, and for children, playing with puppets gives them the opportunity to pretend that they are something or someone else. In this book, readers will find twenty projects that will show them how to make puppets out of recycled and reused household items. If you are the kind of person who has countless orphan socks floating around your closet never fear, for now you can turn each and every one of them into a delightful puppet.
The author begins by talking about the materials that were used to make the puppets in the book. She suggests that readers “go on a treasure hunt” through their house to find old mittens, gloves, socks, fabric, cans, cardboard, buttons, lace, yarn, string, and other items. She gives readers lists of things they will need, and then tells them how to sew up their projects by hand if they don’t have a sewing machine.
After the introductory section, readers will find the projects. Some of the projects are easy (Level 1), while others are more advanced (Level 3). Crafters will learn how to make an elephant puppet out of two legwarmers, a kangaroo puppet out of a mitten or a glove, a vampire puppet out of a sock, and much more.
Each project section includes a list of the materials are needed, careful directions, patterns, diagrams, and a photo of the finished puppet.
Young people who like to make things with their hands are sure to enjoy trying out the projects in this excellent book.
