We are continuing the bald eagle theme with a list of books that we thought would be interesting and fun to pair with a bald eagle puppet. We even have a free pattern to make a simple bald eagle felt hand puppet!
In a previous bald eagle blog article we listed a few links to craft projects featuring bald eagles that we found around the web. We also had a free download of a bald eagle paper bag puppet pattern.
WHY USE A PUPPET WHILE READING?
When I was a volunteer reader for a local preschool I noticed that kids became more engaged during reading when any type of puppet is used to help bring a book alive.
- Kids love puppets.
- Puppets boost creativity and stimulate kids’ imaginations.
- Sometimes kids feel more comfortable reading to a puppet rather than to an adult.
- A puppet can be used as an impartial character allowing kids to express their true emotions.
- A puppet made from our patterns is perfect for story time because it is soft and pliable. It can be stuffed into a small place ready to pop out to engage the kids. And it is easy to wash!
Books Featuring Bald Eagles
There aren’t very many story books featuring bald eagles. Most of the books from my local library were non fiction.
Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight written by the Dye Brothers is an actual story book since it is a cute story about a bald eagle who is afraid of heights and how she overcomes that fear while saving a friend. It is for ages up to around 10 – depending on the reading level. It’s perfect for preschool ages since it isn’t too wordy and the story moves fast. I really enjoyed this book and the art. The illustrations aren’t too realistic which wouldn’t fit with the story.
My heart strings were really tugged with Beauty and the Beak – How Science, Technology and a 3D Printed Beak Rescued a Bald Eagle. It was very well written with the perfect accompanying photographs about a sensitive subject for the younger kids. It is for ages 5 – 13. It is the story of a wild bald eagle whose beak was illegally shot off (that part was very well handled), how she was found and rescued. The most amazing part is how an engineer was able to print a new working beak for her using a 3D printer. At the time of writing this blog she is still alive and doing great at Birds of Prey Northwest and her beak is regenerating! I love happy endings.
This little book was a delight to read and look at. My Little Book of Bald Eagles by Hope Irvin Marston and illustrated by Stephanie Mirocha is a delightful story about a family of bald eagles. It is about the start of an eagle family and the growth of the eaglets. The art is realistic and beautiful. It is for ages preschool to 12 years. The text is simple enough to be read to preschoolers yet advanced enough not to bore an older reader. What is fun is how clever and playfully some of the text fonts are changed to match the mood of the story.
Free Download of a Bald Eagle Felt Hand Puppet Pattern
Don’t have the time to sew a puppet? Need a puppet fast? We have a free download for a bald eagle hand puppet pattern using felt squares available from craft stores. The puppet can be made without sewing – all you need is a hot glue gun.
Need a puppet with a moving mouth and make expressions? We’ve got the pattern!
Need a puppet that can talk and make facial expressions? You can sew one with our Bald Eagle Puppet Sewing Pattern. The pattern is available as a digital download so you can start sewing immediately. We recommend using fleece and felt fabrics because they are inexpensive, readily available from craft stores, washable and easy to sew. Customers tell us how easy our step by step patterns (with lots of pictures) are to follow especially after watching the video tutorials. In fact you can watch our free video tutorial on how to sew the bald eagle puppet right now!
What our customers are saying:
“Very detailed step-by-step instructions with color photos. Can’t wait to get all the supplies and make this puppet.”
“The puppets turn out really well and are a joy to use!”
