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

We are continuing the horse theme with a list of books that we thought would be interesting and fun to pair with a horse 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 Horses

There are only two instructions when friends give Roy a saddle for his birthday.  “1. Find a horse.  2. Enjoy the ride.”  Problem is – Roy doesn’t know what a horse is.  Readers follow Roy on his quest to find a horse.   Are You a Horse? by Andy Rush is a fun book to read with an ending that will give everyone a giggle.  For ages 4-8, preschool to 3rd grade.

A Cowgirl and Her Horse by Jean Ekman Adams is a sweet picture book about a cowgirl (a pink pig) and her best friend – her horse.  There are so many things a cowgirl has to do to take care of her horse. She has to protect him from rattlesnakes, she can’t forget his birthday, and she must help him write letters to his mother. In turn, he will take her up mountains, down trails, and over rainbows.  This is a fun book to read and the illustrations are adorable.  For ages 4-7, preschool to 2nd grade.  

Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee is for ages 2-4 years  but even the five year olds enjoy listening to it.  One by one the farmyard animals ask for a ride on Mr. Horse and continue to ask for him to go faster and faster until they all fall off in the haystack.  Of course, they all ask to go “again!”  It’s fun to use a pair of old horseshoes to illustrate the clip-clop sound.  Which then leads to a learning moment about horse shoes.

Horses (Seedlings) by Quinn M. Arnold has simple text and colorful pictures to introduce horses to the younger set.  For preschool to 1st grade. The book could also be read to kids as young as one because the pictures are wonderful.

Free Download of a horse felt Hand Puppet pattern

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