9. Puppets Around the World

Puppets Around the World

by Lois Grippo

• People love puppets! They are a familiar toy. Children all around the world love to play with them. The first puppets may have been made in Egypt. These puppets were simple toys. They were made of wood. Strings made their parts move.

Multiple Choice

Where were the first puppets made?

• Rome

• Egypt

• Spain

Multiple Choice

What is a puppet?

• a pet

• a toy

• a treasure

Multiple Choice

What were early puppets made of?

• socks and buttons

• cloth and silk

• wood and string

Shadow Puppets

• Long ago, people in Southeast Asia made shadow puppets. These puppets were flat. They were made from paper. Each puppet was attached to a stick. Moving the stick made the puppet move. The puppets were held behind a silk screen.

Multiple Choice

Where were shadow puppets made according to the text?

• Central America

• Northern Europe

• Southeast Asia

Multiple Choice

How were shadow puppets made?

• with paper and sticks

• with water and ink

• with food and silverware

Shadow Puppets

• Candles were lit to make shadows. People sat on the other side of the screen. They could not see the puppets. They could not see the people holding them. They saw large puppet shadows on the silk screen! 

Multiple Choice

How were the shadows made for the puppets when they first were made?

• the sunlight

• they lit a candle

• they were drawn

Multiple Choice

How do the shadow puppets work?

• people hold puppets behind a curtain with candles lit

• people act out a scene behind a blanket

• it is a digital film screen playing

Bunraku Puppets

• The Japanese also make special puppets. They are called Bunraku puppets. These puppets are large. They can be as big as a person. It takes three people to move these puppets. The people appear on stage with the puppet. The puppet’s movements are never jerky. People work hard to make the puppets move smoothly

Multiple Choice

How do these puppets work?

• a stick holds them up

• a string hold them up

• about 3 people hold it up

Multiple Choice

How big or small can the Bunraku puppets get?

• small, squirrel size

• medium, dog size

• large, human size

Multiple Choice

Who did the Bunraku puppets originate from?

• Japanese

• Hispanic

• Polynesian

Hand Puppets

• Did you ever make a sock puppet? A sock puppet is a hand puppet. There were hand puppets long ago in China. These puppets were not made from socks. They were made from wood. The wood was hollow. A person’s hand fit inside. 

Multiple Choice

Where were the sock puppets originated in? (where did they come from)

• U.S.

• Mexico

• China

Multiple Choice

What is a sock puppet?

• a used sock

• a hand puppet

• a foot puppet

Puppet Theatres

• Puppet shows are done on small stages. Sometimes the stage is vacant. Often it is filled. There may be trees and homes. There may be hills and farms. Puppets race across the stage. They peek out of windows. Fans give applause when a hero fights a dragon. They boo when the dragon fights back. Puppet shows are fun. 

Multiple Choice

How are puppet shows described?

• boring

• serious

• fun

Multiple Choice

Where were these hand puppets shown?

• only in peoples homes

• on small stages

• in big arenas

Puppet Shows

• What are puppet shows about? Some teach a lesson. Some tell the history of a place. Long ago there were no TVs. There were no newspapers. People learned the news from puppet shows. So listen closely to puppets! They can be very funny. They can also tell you things you did not know!

Multiple Choice

What did puppet shows take the place or replace long ago?

• toys

• TVs

• cars

Poll

Have you ever seen a puppet show?

• never

• yes, but I don't remember it

• yes

Multiple Select

What were puppet shows used for?

• to learn the news

• tell history of a place

• to teach a lesson

Make a Sock Puppet

• Ask a grown-up to give you an old sock. Draw a face on the foot part of the sock. Now, stick your hand in the sock. Use your fingers to make a mouth. Move the mouth up and down. Make your sock say something!

Multiple Choice

What item from home can you use to make a puppet? (MOST LIKELY)

• a shirt

• a sock

• a brush

Multiple Choice

Based on the title, what is the main idea of the text?

• where puppets came from

• how to make a puppet

• the inventor of the puppet

Multiple Choice

What is the author's purpose of the text?

• inform

• persuade

• entertain