What a pleasure to make felted wool puppets to illustrate an autumn story for your child! Suzanne Down of Juniper Tree School of Story and Puppetry Arts makes it easy with her wonderful new "Feltng Needle Magic" Story Kit. Suzanne writes:
"Of all the terrific autumn stories for young children, one of my favorites is a version of a little mouse looking for a winter home ... there are several versions out there. He finds his home in a pumpkin patch just as the colds winds start to blow. You probably know this theme from the Mousekin series, where the little mouse finds his house in a discarded Jack-o-lantern after Halloween. Juniper Tree's version is more of an early childhood 'protection' story for our times, focusing on the layers upon layers that create mouse's safe house that serve as extra 'skins' for a sensitive child.
"A NEW 'felting needle magic' story kit is now available to create mouse, a good sized hollow needle felted pumpkin house, pumpkin leaves and vines, a walnut shell, and all the soft, warm, 'nesting' leaves, feathers, and such that make mouse's house so safe and warm for winter. Therapeutic thoughts on why this story is of such healing value for young children, and presentation ideas are included with the story. Mouse Finds His Winter House Story Kit - $19.95 plus s&h includes all materials you will need for this wonderful autumn puppet story.
"You may also enjoy expanding this story to house lots of animals a la 'the Mitten' story ... You can fit lots of animals in this hollow pumpkin! A pumpkin house can also be a centerpiece for many autumn stories, songs, and verse."
For information, contact suzanne@junipertreepuppets.com or see www.junipertreepuppets.com. Their toll-free number is 888-688-7333 (PO Box 1688, Port Angelse, WA 98362). --Rahima
