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6 of Our Favorite Fictional Puppets
Puppets can run the gamut—from lovable furry creatures, to frightening dummies. At either end of the spectrum, they are entertaining and fun and can really bring a story to life. These six picks include some of our favorite fictional puppets (oh please, let them be fictional when we are talking about R. L. Stine’s infamous wisecracking Slappy!). Pick one of these books up, hand it to your kid, and watch your reader be pulled in (dare we say, like a puppet on a string).
The Magician’s Boy, by Susan Cooper and Serena Riglietti
The Magician has a magic act that enthralls and captivates kids, including the Boy. The Boy wants to learn the tricks of the trade, but must assist the Magician with cleaning his wands, taking care of the rabbits, and operating the puppets for the story of Saint George and the Dragon first. One day, the Saint George puppet disappears and the Magician angrily sends the Boy into the Land of Story to find him. The Boy travels through many familiar stories and meets many beloved characters (including the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe) looking for the puppet, and discovers that only a child can accomplish this difficult mission.
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Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi
This modern retelling of a classic story features the wooden puppet Pinocchio and his creator, Geppetto. As soon as Pinocchio comes to life, he begins causing trouble with mischief and mayhem. And of course, his nose begins to tell the real truth. As a playful puppet, all he really longs for is to become a real boy, but first Pinocchio has to learn important values; honesty, truth, kindness, compassion, and a good work ethic. Older kids will appreciate this detailed, less Disney version of Pinocchio.
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Night of the Living Dummy, by R.L. Stine
This timeless hair-raising classic features chilly twists, scary turns, and one creepy (yet hilarious) puppet named Slappy the Dummy. The first book of the Classic Goosebumps series, this prequel is children’s horror at its finest. Slappy is a demented puppet that pulls all the strings and is sure to frighten your kids just enough. This reissued edition features all-new bonus material with some Slappy behind-the-scenes secrets and surprises.
Muppets Character Encyclopedia, by DK Publishing
Fans of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog will enjoy this well-rounded book of back stories. The entire gang is in this encyclopedia of Muppet knowledge—from Gonzo to Animal to Camilla the Chicken—more than 150 characters in all. Even with writing that is aimed at kids, fans of all ages will enjoy learning more about Jim Henson’s unforgettable creations. Keep this one handy on the coffee table.
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Time for Bed, Elmo!, by Sarah Albee and Maggie Swanson
If you have a toddler, you know that a love of Elmo is ingrained in their very DNA, so we couldn’t let him sit on the sidelines during this post. Even the tiniest fans will love reading about their favorite furry red friend. (And they will also recognize the innumerable tactics Elmo takes to try and avoid bedtime. Sounds familiar, parents?) Take heart and read this story to your children at bedtime, because in the end they all—Elmo included—eventually go to sleep.
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The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone
This Sesame Street book is a classic, featuring the lovable blue monster, Grover. Originally published in 1971, this story follows Grover as he desperately tries to prevent the reader from turning the page, as he is afraid of meeting a monster at the end of the story. Naturally, your kids will be curious to see what comes next as Grover tries to tie, nail, and block the way. At the end (SPOILER ALERT!), a frightened Grover meets himself. This is an exciting book that we promise will not scare your little ones in any way.