TR&W Issue 20

www.teachwire.net | 23 the importance of creativity, and is ideal for sharing with both KS2 and older KS1pupils. Here, the illustrations form as much a part of the story as the text, and help in bringing the tale to life. They are a useful tool when looking at the art of storytelling, and comparing different types of texts such as comics and newspapers. This book would also make a fantastic accompaniment for a puppet-making topic or a planned trip to a puppet theatre, and is great for inspiring drama/music and movement sessions, as well as making W hat should a puppet master do when he’s old and alone, and all his puppets are gone? This is the beautiful story of an old puppet master, named Sylvester, who decides to make one last toy. Cobbled together from bits and pieces he finds lying about his workbench, the marionette he creates is a strange little thing, like nothing he’s made before – and when Sylvester speaks to him, Puppet speaks back! This is a book that spans many themes, such as loneliness, daring to take risks, caring, compassion and a good basis for poetry or creative writing activities. I have included ideas for simplifying activities where required, to work for younger age groups. Getting to know the book Read the book with your class, and then discuss the following points: • In chapter one, Sylvester hears Puppet speak for the first time. How do you think Sylvester would have felt? Surprised? Amazed? A little bit scared? • Do you think it was a wise idea to take Puppet to the park? Why/why not? • Why do you think Sylvester and Fleur David Almond’s heartwarming story, charmingly illustrated by Lizzy Stewart, provides lots of opportunities to think about life’s big questions BOOK TOP I C KAREN HART Book topic KS1&2 Published by Walker Books, 2024 C L AS SROOM AC T I V I T I E S Puppe t