Review: Puppet Play by Diana Schoenbrun

Puppet Play

20 Puppet Projects Made with Recycled Mittens, Towels, Socks, and More

by Diana Schoenbrun

Product Description (From Amazon)


Have fun and go green with Diana Schoenbrun's Puppet Play: 20 Puppet Projects Made with Recycled Mittens, Towels, Socks, and More. A puppet builder, an illustrator, and an author, Schoenbrun presents 20 puppet projects made with recycled materials easily found around the house.



A lonely sock becomes a wizard puppet. A glove without a mate turns into five little pig puppets. And that tired dishtowel transforms into a lively banjo player puppet—all at very little cost. Diana Schoenbrun's easy-to-follow directions are accompanied by how-to illustrations. Also included are full-color photographs of puppets, as well as a chapter that guides children through creating and presenting their own puppet show. So, the next time the dryer eats a single sock, get crafty, go green, and go play with Puppet Play.

Product Details


Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (April 26, 2011)
Language: English


About the Author


Diana Schoenbrun teaches puppet and playwriting workshops for children ages 6 to 9 at 826NYC, a nonprofit center founded by Dave Eggers. She currently works at Puppet Heap, a unique design studio located in Hoboken, New Jersey. Diana resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Online:  dianaschoenbrun.com

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.






I was not compensated by any means for this book review. My view is strictly my own.