Personalized Book and Puppet: "The-Man-Who-Talks-Too-Much"

Here is a quick and easy project that can be personalized.

All you need is:
A printer

A black pen or marker

Scissors

Tape

(optional) Colored markers or colored pencils

(optional) Wooden tongue depressor

Print the Book Page and Personalize It.

Print the attached PDF. With a black pen or marker, add a child's name in each of the spots shown in the illustration. (I used RED in the illustration so that it is easier for you to see where to insert the names. I do NOT recommend making the names stand out like this in a "real" book. It is too distracting!)

Downloads

the_man_who_talks_too_much.pdf

Fold and Cut the Page, Using the Standard "zine" Method.

If you do not know how to fold a 'zine, look at one of my other Instructables and follow the directions there!

Print the Puppet Page.

Color if desired.

NOTE: I have added patterns for original puppets, too!

Downloads

puppets.pdf

Use an Exacto Knife to Cut Out the Mouth.

Cut Out the Two Pieces.

Fold the Flaps to the Back of the Puppet.

NOTE: In the illustration, the two back flaps are narrower than the puppet body. I have redesigned this so that the flaps are just slightly narrower, so that the stick does not get caught on an edge. I did not re-shoot the picture!

Tape the Flaps Down.

Attach the Mouth Piece to a Tongue Depressor.

A tongue depressor is optional, but recommended.

If you don't have one, a piece of cardboard will do.

I used double-stick tape because I keep it on hand. But you can use any type of glue or even wide tape.

Insert the Stick Into the Opening.

Move the Stick to Make Your Puppet Talk!

Give the Book and Puppet to Someone!

This is a fun project for a grandparent to mail to a grand child.

The original "Man-Who-Talks-Too-Much" is a popular character from the Facetime stories I enjoy with my grandchildren. He is a very old German animated wooden puppet. (Originally a bottle stopper, but the cork disappeared YEARS ago.)

If you like this project, PLEASE add a comment.

This type of project never gets much attention here on the Instructables website, and I understand that. (I am still grateful for a site that lets me publish PDFs.)

HOWEVER....it would be nice to get a little bit of encouragement....