Puppet storytelling

Be sure to visit the Ideas page within this "Storytelling Resources for You" group of pages. It will alert you to the newest posts on Storytelling + Research = LoiS. This handout from my Storytelling with Puppets workshop gains immensely by my demonstrations. In the meantime I hope it helps get you started!

AN ALPHABET OF PUPPETS and STORYTELLING

Answer and ask questions and riddles
Be in a story or play as lead character or 1 of many
Comment on story or poem
Dress and use props to match theme or holiday
Express feelings and emotions
Fingerplays
Get-acquainted with children, especially if shy
Hug
Improvise an audience-created story // Introduce people or other puppets
Joke-telling
Kids can make puppets and join you
Lead group participation
Mime a story
Narrate a story
Offer prizes and rewards
Play an instrument // Play games // Present "Commercials"
Quietly sit and listen to program
Read aloud, including Recite poetry
Sing // Swallow things // Sign autographs (including pawprints)
Teach anything (e.g. concepts, library instruction, rules) // Turn the pages in a book // Talk about books
Use sign language if your puppet is full-fingered
Narrate a story
Vary the mood and pace of a program
Whisper comments and messages to puppeteer // Welcome audience and end program
X marks the spot(s) where you do walk-arounds, parades, and promote programs
Yell and act crazy since the puppeteer is usually quieter
Zip around and add visual interest