Making Puppets

Unlike other performing arts, puppetry is perhaps the only art form in which directing, acting, writing, designing, sculpture, and choreography are combined. In effect, the performer is creating an artistic entertainment that will appeal to audiences of all ages — in homes, in theaters, and in classrooms. This lucid, easy-to-follow book was specifically conceived to teach beginners how to bring a hand puppet to life and how, with practice, to develop the skills needed to mount an amateur puppet show — complete with staging, costumes, and special effects. Award-winning puppeteers Larry Engler and Carol Fijan provide ingenious finger, wrist, and arm exercises that are crucial for creating a full working range of puppet motions and emotions. They also cover the elements of good puppet theatrical technique: speech, voice use, and synchronization; stage deportment and interactions; improvisation, dramatic conflict, role characterization, and more. Every detail is clearly explained and beautifully illustrated with photographs, specific chapters being devoted to the use of props, puppet voices and movements, the construction of simple stages and lighting effects, and much more. A splendid addition to the literature on this subject, Making Puppets Come Alive is "the best book on hand puppetry we've seen." — The Whole Kids Catalog.

In this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book, Amy Wu must craft a dragon unlike any other to share with her class at school in this unforgettable follow-up to Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao. Amy loves craft time at school. But when her teacher asks everyone to make their own dragon, Amy feels stuck. Her first dragon has a long, wingless body, stag-like horns, and eagle claws, but her friends don’t think it’s a real dragon. Then she makes dragons like theirs, but none of them feels quite right...None of them feels like hers. After school, a story from Grandma sparks new inspiration, and Amy rounds up her family to help her. Together, can they make Amy’s perfect dragon?

Provides step-by-step instructions for making a variety of puppets, including finger puppets, sock puppets, and marionettes.

An ideal introduction to design and technology for young children, this series has been developed to support the units in the Schemes of Work at KS1 and lower KS2. It presents key information through a combination of clear text and visual images, while questions ask the reader to express their own views about the topics.

In this book, readers learn how to create their very own puppets out of materials that are easily accessible, such as socks, spoons, and cups. Brilliant color photographs detail each step in the process, as readers learn how to turn basic materials into lion, bear, and fish puppets, and even a mermaid marionette. Straightforward text and step-by-step instructions help readers gain an understanding of the craft and how it's made.

Offers tips, tricks, and techniques for making animal sock puppets, from an elephant and a monkey to a bat and a lion.

Make your own sock puppets and a stateso you can put on shows for your friends and family. Crafters practice reading comprehension as they follow the steps for each project. The easiest crafts are at the beginning, to allow the reader to practice scaffolding their knowledge as they learn the domain-specific vocabulary.

Directions and diagrams for making various types of puppets, dressing and handling them, setting up a stage, and writing and producing one's own show. Includes three puppet plays.