Hi friends,
Today I want to talk a little bit about a book that 10-year-old me would have been over-the-moon to receive (30-something me thinks it's pretty cool, too): Diane Schoenbrun's latest book, Puppet Play.
All images, Andrews McMeel Publishing
The title page gives it all away – this book has directions for 20 different puppets made from a variety of clothing, including socks, mittens and gloves. Upcycled and recycled objects – from buttons to pop-can tabs to old rubber gloves – play a major role in adding features (and major personality) to these little characters.
The projects are graded from 1 (beginner) to 3 (advanced), but the step-by step directions, multiple photos of each finished puppet, and multiple line drawings make the assembly process clear and easy to follow. (Check out this sample project and make your own Crazy Cat!) The introductory chapters provide helpful information about materials and techniques, and there's lots of room for crafters to improvise and truly make the projects their own. Most of these projects involve hand sewing, so they'd be good for kids to work on independently (or with just a bit of help from an adult).
I think the thing I like the best about this book is that it allows for two stages of creativity – the first stage being actually finding the materials and making the puppets, and the second stage being all the imaginative play that would develop as Betty the Elephant and Captain Hot-Head the Pirate (and their various friends, including Brian the Giraffe and Dottie the Clown, among others) interact.
Diana and Andrews McMeel have generously offered a copy of this book to one lucky reader.
For your chance to win a copy of Puppet Play, visit one of the blogs listed below and leave a comment on this post telling me something you saw there that you found interesting. Comments will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 19; I'll post a winner here on Friday, May 20th. Good luck!
If you'd like to read more about Puppet Play, you can find interviews, videos, pictures of sample projects and more at the blogs listed below. Have fun!
May 2: Luvinthemommyhood
May 3: Oh My! Handmade
May 4: Craft Sanity
May 5: Sew Mama Sew
May 6: Little Birdie Secrets
May 7: This Mama Makes Stuff
May 8: Roots and Wings
May 9: Whip UP
May 10: Fiskateers
May 11: Zakkalife
May 12: Prudent Baby
May 14: Craft Test Dummies
May 15: Cute Everything
May 16: Schmancy
May 17: Progressive Pioneer
May 18: Pink and Green Mama
May 19: Arrow Cabinets
May 20: The Happy Honeybee
May 21: Craft Gossip
