In our previous blog article we listed a few links to craft projects featuring chickens that we found around the web. We also had a free download of chicken paper bag puppet pattern.

We are continuing the chicken theme with a list of books that we thought would be interesting and fun to pair with a chicken puppet.  We’ve noticed that kids become more engaged during reading when a puppet is used to help bring a book alive.

WHY USE A PUPPET WHILE READING?

• • 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 chickens

Chickens are naturally comical.  Even Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, loved chickens.  Artists and authors of children’s books take advantage of this comedy by creating fun and interesting books.  Did you know that September is National Chicken Month?  Even if it isn’t September, you can enjoy reading these with your kids.

Tillie Lays an Egg written by Terry Golson and illustrated by Ben Fink is a story about a hen who decides she doesn’t want to lay her eggs in the nesting box.  She picks some unusual places to lay her eggs.  Kids will have fun looking for the eggs.  The hen is a real hen.  The author’s pet hens were the inspiration for this book. For ages 4-8, preschool to grade 3.

Daisy Comes Home by Jan Brett is beautifully illustrated.  Jan found the inspiration for this book from a trip to China, her daughter-in-law’s homeland.  After Daisy returns home after accidentally floating down a river and learning how to survive, she doesn’t allow the other hens to pick on her anymore.  Ages 5-8, kindergarten to 3rd grade.

Wee Little Chick written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by John Butler is the perfect bedtime story for the wee little ones.  It is a sweet story about a mother’s confidence in even the smallest of her brood.   The illustrations are just as sweet as the story.  For ages 2-6, preschool to grade one.

David Ezra Stein’s Interrupting Chicken is for ages 4-8, preschool to grade 3.  Little Chicken is always interrupting her dad’s story time with how she thinks the story should have ended.  That is until one night he interrupts her story with loud snoring. The book has a humorous story within a story that will entertain both adults and kids.

Seedlings: Chickens by Kate Riggs is for kids 4-6 years, Preschool to Grade 1.  The book is written in a friendly style, filled with dynamic photos and easy to read text for beginning readers.  Younger kids will enjoy someone reading to them while looking at the great photos.

Free Download of chicken felt Hand Puppet pattern

Don’t have the time to sew a puppet?  Need a puppet fast?  We have a free download for a chicken 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 Chicken 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 chicken 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!”