Puppet Play Book Tour

I am pleased to be apart of another book blog tour!  Puppet Play is an adorable new book by Diana Schoenbrun full of great projects for kids and adults alike!  Various projects include clowns, elephants, raccoons, kangaroos and so much more.  Each project uses various materials you would find laying around your home.  Don't throw away those cute socks with too many holes!  Now you can make an adorable puppet!  Here is a little interview I did with Diana.  Enjoy!

S- What was the inspiration behind Puppet Play?

DS- When I first started making soft sculptures I began incorporating reused materials into my characters such as old jewelry, recycled clothing, upholstery fabric, and empty tuna cans. A few years ago I taught puppet workshops with children and noticed how much fun they had creating puppets from household materials such as a sock. I wanted to expand upon that idea and take other materials such as gloves, mittens, towels and see what other materials found around the home could be made into a children’s puppet.

S- Have you been creating puppets for a long time?

DS- I’ve been making soft sculptures and puppets for the past nine years.

S- What I really like about your book is all the reused and recycled materials you use.  How important was the recycled materials in creating each puppet?

DS- Recycled materials are important but not the only thing I use. There is definitely a mix repurposed and bought materials. Sometimes I will think of a character I want to create while other times I will have the towel or legwarmer and be inspired to create it into something. For example, I had a broken umbrella and removed the shiny black fabric. I held onto it for a while and thought it would make the perfect cape for a kid’s vampire puppet. The bandana I used for the frog puppet was used from a headband I had worn on many hiking trips. However, I do incorporate pom poms, beads, and felt I have purchased.

S- What age groups do you think this book is best for?

DS- The book is best for ages 4 and up. It’s a book an adult can share with a child. Younger kids can do the projects with the help of an adult and learn how to cut, sew, and glue the puppets. While an older child who is ages nine and up can work more independently while making the puppets. It’s also a great gift for a parent who wants to make their baby or toddler a simple soft toy puppet.

S- What I think a lot of people don't realize about writing a book like this is how long it takes.  From conception, getting a publisher to print.  How long was this process for you?

DS- The entire process from conception to print was over 5 years. I started to think of the book idea and did not finally work on a proposal until over three years ago. I spent a while making sample projects and writing the proposal. After that I looked for an agent and publisher. The writing, editing, and crafting, and publishing was at least another two years.

S- Who are some of your favorite puppeteers?

DS- Alexander Calder, Bil Baird,Oskar Schlemmer, Aardman Animation, Frank Oz, Jim Henson

S- Do you have any projects coming up we should know about?

DS- I am currently working on a book trailer stop motion animation for some of my Beasties characters. Check the video section in June. Also, I am planning some Puppet Play crafting events at bookstores. I’ll be doing an event at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco on June 2nd and an event at the Reading Bug June 5th. My blog is updated with art adventures or drawing projects that I’m working on.

S- Where can people learn more about you and your work?

DS- You can check out my website
http://www.dianaschoenbrun.com/

Blog
http://dianaschoenbrun.blogspot.com/

Twitter
@dianaschoenbrun

Facebook Puppet Play
http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=239944639#!/pages/Puppet-Play-20-Puppet-Projects/113655608716488

Facebook Beasties page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=239944639#!/pages/Beasties-How-to-Make-22-Mischievous-Monsters-That-Go-Bump-in-the-Night/150726578274420

Events
http://www.dianaschoenbrun.com/events.html