What is puppet?

A puppet is a representational object manipulated by a puppeteer. It is

usually but not always a depiction of a human character. The puppet
undergoes a process of transformation through being animated, and is
manipulated by one, or sometimes more than one, puppeteer. Some puppets
can be moved electronically.
Puppets are made of a wide range of materials. Depending on the effect the
puppeteer wants and how it is used, a puppet can be extremely complex or
very simple. In contemporary puppet theatre, puppets are sometimes called
'performing objects' because there are so many different varieties.
Half the fun of putting on a puppet play comes in planning the performance.
But the final result needs puppet theatre. A great way to let kids showcase
their creation. Puppet show as a family is a wonderful way to help kids learn
to work as part of a group and strengthen family ties at the same time.

Types of puppet
Glove puppets
Glove Puppets are usually made of fabric and are worked by your hand. Your
hand fits into the body of the puppet and works the arms and/ or the mouth.
Parts of the face and body should be stuffed to give the puppet a more
professional finish.
Rod Puppet
Sticks or wire rod manipulate rod puppets attached to the neck and hands. In
most cases, these controls come from below. Rod puppets may also be

worked with rods from above, or any direction necessary for good movement
and performance.

Shadow Puppet
Mostly rod puppets, they are made flat and cast a shadow when the
puppeteer manipulates them between a light source and a screen (often a
piece of muslin stretched like a canvas). A shadow puppeteer learns to move
the puppet in and out of the light so its shadow grows and shrinks and goes
in and out of sharp focus. Traditionally, these are made from animal hides
that are painted and punched with decorative designs. Colored acetates are
often used to create colors in the puppet's projected shadow.
Finger Puppet
Finger puppets start with a tube that fits over your finger. Decorated in
different ways, a small cast of characters can appear on both hands. Another
version has two fingers poke through the puppet's torso to become the legs.
Stages for finger puppets can be as simple as a shoebox.
Hand Puppet (Glove Puppet)
There are many variations to a hand puppet. If the puppet does not have a
movable mouth, three fingers on one hand become the neck and two arms.
This type of puppet is often called a glove puppet. If the puppet has a
movable mouth, traditionally the thumb serves as the lower jaw; the four
fingers form the upper mouth.
Junk Puppet (Found Object)
The simple paper bag puppet typifies the junk puppet. Everyday objects like
socks, egg cartons, mops and watering cans, manipulated by hands, strings

or rods, can become puppets. These "found objects", in the hands of a

talented puppeteer, can be truly magical.
Pop-up Puppet
This puppet is often found in a toy store. It consists of a cone with a vertical
rod, and a puppet attached to the top of the rod. By pushing the rod up and
down through the cone, you can make the character appear and disappear.

Jigging Puppet (Marionette la Planchette / Fantoccini)

Street performers in the late 18th century manipulated jigging or paddle
puppets by tapping a plank with their foot. The puppets, suspended by string
or a rod, bounced on the plank, giving the illusion of dancing. The puppeteer
used his hands to play a flute or other instrument to accompany the dance.
Jumping Jack
Another favorite toy puppet, jumping jacks have a simple movement
controlled by running four strings from the four limbs of the character. The
strings are joined at the base of the puppet and, when pulled and released,
bring the arms and legs of the puppet up and down.
Marionette (String Puppet)
One of the most difficult puppets to manipulate effectively. A marionette
hangs on strings attached to its hands, head, feet and knees. A basic
marionette usually has eight strings. Some, however, have thirty or more. A
good performer learns how to use gravity to give the marionette life and
weight. To work a marionette well takes a great deal of practice.

Materials for making stage

Colored paper
Coloring tools (crayons and water color)
Scissors
Felt and other decorative items
Hot glue gun
Newspaper
Embellishments
Markers
Box
Knife
Tape
A piece of fabric
Plywood
Wood
Thumbtack

Script

Characters/Puppets:

Piko (stuffed cow)

Kupi (stuffed horse)
Gadut (stuffed elephant)
Chikki (stuffed chicken)

Narrator: In a country, there were four animal four companions who always
play together. One day the four friends were going to have a picnic in a
beautiful garden on the edge of a forest.
Piko:

"Hello my friends, I am Piko, funny and hilarious cow''

Kudi:

"Hello, my name is Kudi, smart and handsome horse''

Gadut:

"Hello, I am called Gadut, an elephant who is cute and

always happy''
Chikki:

"Hi, my name Chikki, a kind and helpful chicken"

Narrator: After walking through the forest for the morning, all four friends
have reached the goal, and found a beautiful picnic spot which is shady and
cool.
Kudi:
cool place

My friends, lets just stop here in this beautiful, shady and

Gadut:

Yeah ... I love this place!

Chikki:

Well then, OK, we will stop and have lunch

Piko:

Hooray lunch!! But...I really need to go poo*(change to

local word) first....

Narrator: Piko starts to walk over to the bushes to go toilet.

Doggy:

Hey Piko, do not poo there ... iihhh eewww ... slob!

Kudi:

Yes Piko, if you want to poo, you had better go to the

toilet... there are

toilets/latrines at the other side of the picnic spot...hurry

Piko:

Nah... Here in the bushes is OK, the toilet is far away and

Im a bit lazy....
Chikki:

Dont be like that Piko, we wont let you poo in the

bushes! The only way to protect our health is to poo in one place, not to
mention the picnic spot would smell!
Kudi:

Do not forget to wash your hands with soap after you go

toilet!
Piko:

Yeah-yeah..OK guys Im going to the toilet now. (Piko

then goes to the toilet)

Narrator: The four friends then get ready for their picnic lunch.

Gadut:
Kudi:

Hey, it's time for lunch Im hungry, let's have lunch

Before eating we should wash our hands with soap

Piko:
Chikki:

Why? See our hands look clean...

Although your hands look clean, there are lots of invisible germs

that are on our hands because we often hold or touch objects that have
bacteria without us knowing.
Kudi:

Yes, I have some soap here! Lets wash our hands in the

tap/shower over there.

All together:

Come on!

Narrator: So my friends, let us all listen to the four messages from each of
our friends:

Doggy:

"Wash your hands with soap frequently to prevent disease"

Kudi:

"Use the latrine/toilet every time you go not bushes!

and wash your hands with soap after defecation"

Piko:

"Drink safe and clean water to keep our bodies healthy"

All together:

Let's keep up the good hygiene practices every day, and

this will keep us free of disease and keep our bodies healthy!