Puppet Ministry Pizzazz
Make Your Message Pop with a Puppet Pal
Linda Bonney Olin’s comprehensive guide to faith-sharing with a puppet buddy.
(See more books below.)
Puppet Ministry Blog Posts on Faith Songs
Puppet Grace
Picking a Puppet Pal
Picking a Puppet Pal, Part 2
Puppet Pal ~ Personality Plus
The Puppet Leaves the Pulpit
Puppeteer & Pal Meet the Kids
Puppet Props for a Puny Purse
Moochacha as the Easter Bunny
Zoom into Puppet Ministry
Linda’s Puppet Ministry Videos on YouTube
NEW! Video recordings of messages from Linda and her puppet pal, collected in a special playlist on the Linda Bonney Olin YouTube channel.
Puppet Ministry Playlist page
Watch the Puppet Ministry Playlist videos
Puppet Ministry Resources Elsewhere on the Web
These lists are just a sampling of available resources. Inclusion on this page does not signify my endorsement. Please use your own judgment for how helpful or appropriate the material is (or isn’t) for your use. And please let me know if any of these links are no longer working, or if you can recommend additional helpful web sites.
Project Puppet Puppet patterns, supplies, and tutorials
Puppet Spot A variety of puppet-related resources
James Kemp A master puppet builder with a YouTube channel of videos
Puppets and Stuff An online forum for puppeteers and puppet lovers
Deb Brammer Blog offering scripts and tips for puppet ministry
Puppet Resources Searchable collection of free puppet scripts
Puppetsinc Puppets, supplies, and scripts for Christian and secular programs
OneWayUK Online marketplace for puppets, supplies, and instruction
The Creature Works Studio Planned Puppethood, a secular blog
COGIC Plan for puppet ministry stage, from the Church of God in Christ
Muppet Wiki Interesting blurb about the Muppets’ hand-and-rod design
The Puppet Store Puppets, scripts, and equipment for ministry and school
Puppet Hut Puppet marketplace and free tips “How to Do Ventriloquism”
Etsy Marketplace for hand-crafted puppets, patterns, and some supplies
Walmart Amazon Just two examples of the selection of hand puppets that can be purchased from familiar retailers.
Puppet Ministry (and related) Books
Following are some of the books, old and new, that might be useful to readers interested in puppet ministry. Some are likely available only as used books.
A Bucketful of Ideas for Church Drama (Fay Rowland, 2017)
Scripts for puppet stages, acting out or narrating stories. Includes basic tips for performance.
Curriculum for Children’s Bible Hour: Teaching Old Testament through Puppets (Katherine R. Perez, 2017)
Lesson plans and materials (including puppet scripts) for teaching the Bible to children in Sunday school classrooms.
Skits & Plays for One Puppeteer (J. M. Russell, 2017)
For public librarians who act out stories with puppets, using a platform stage for a solo puppeteer. Secular scripts for children, ages 3-7.
Nature Bible Puppet Mania (Karen Whiting, 2016)
For parents and leaders of younger children. Emphasis on making simple puppets for acting out Bible stories. Includes some advice for writing and performing skits. (Look for Karen Whiting’s other titles, too.)
Willie’s World: 52 Fabulously Funny Christian Puppet Scripts (Tom Smith, 2015)
Scripts only. Puppet stage plays featuring recurring characters acting out Bible-based life lessons. This is the first of two volumes.
I Want to be a Puppet When I Grow Up! Practical Advice for Evangelism through Puppet Ministry (Kaye Hicks, 2015)
Practical tips for leaders of puppet ministry teams that perform skits on a stage in a variety of venues. Topics include organization, performance, and business planning. No scripts.
Christian Skits & Puppet Shows (Karen Jones, 2015)
First of four themed volumes of scripts.
Fun and Prophet! Puppet Scripts for Children’s Church (Barbara Early, 2015)
Scripts only. The storylines all have a game show premise, acted out by puppet characters on a stage.
Parable Theater I: Puppet Scripts for Children’s Church (Barbara Early, 2015)
Scripts only. Nine puppet scripts that humorously retell the parables of Jesus.
Kid Skits: Unique Dramas for Children’s Ministry (Peter J. Gaskell, 2014)
Scripts only. Mix of live-actor dramas and puppet skits.
Dressing the Naked Hand: The World’s Greatest Guide to Puppets, Puppetry, and Puppeteering (Amy White, Mark H. Pulham, Dallin Blankenship, 2014)
Secular guide to puppet fabrication, stage construction, and performance tips.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ventriloquism (Taylor Mason, 2010)
Lots of info useful to any puppeteer who wants to develop a puppet-buddy solo act, not only ventriloquists. Instruction for developing your material, writing humor, performing effectively, and more. Secular.
10-Minute Puppets (Noel MacNeal, 2010)
Guide for families to make and use simple puppets out of socks, paper, etc., for fun. Tips for setting up an easy “theater” at home or traveling.
One-Person Puppetry Streamlined and Simplified (Yvonne Amar Frey, 2004)
Secular scripts and instructions for simple stage-type puppet plays put on by a school librarian.
A Parade of Puppet Plays (Calvin Harrub, 2003)
Scripts only. Features a group of recurring characters.
The Official Puppet Ministry Survival Guide (Susan Parsons, 2002)
Geared to puppet stage plays, but contains useful tips for personal puppet ministry too. Includes advice for ministry.
Puppet Ministry Made Easy (Dale & Liz VonSeggen, 2002; update of Puppets: Ministry Magic, 1990)
Guide for running a church puppet team, with organization, performance, and ministry advice.
Finger Puppet Mania (Karen Whiting, 1999)
Easy patterns and instructions for making and using movable-mouth finger puppets for Christian teaching.
Instant Skits for Children’s Ministry (John Duckworth, 1999)
Scripture-based scripts for multiple characters, either live actors or puppets.
Ventriloquism Made Easy (Kolby King, 1997)
Basic principles of voicing a puppet without moving your lips, plus performance tips that any beginning buddy-puppet puppeteer can use.
Puppets in Praise (Stuart Holt, 1994)
Lots of the author’s philosophy and ideas for use of puppets for religious purposes. Some scripts and music.
60-Second Skits (Chuck Bolte & Paul McCusker, 1991)
Short, no-rehearsal live-actor skits are used to launch discussion questions on topics for youth groups. This idea could easily be adapted for personal puppet ministry.
One-Person Puppet Plays (Denise Anton Wright, 1990)
Scripts and tips for storytelling by a solo puppeteer using multiple character puppets on a small stage. Secular, for librarians.
You Can Do Christian Puppets (Bea Carlton, 1989)
Scripts with Bible lessons. Includes instructions for constructing simple puppets and stage setups.
Handbook of Christian Puppetry (Grace Harp, 1984)
Scripts illustrating moral lessons, with a lot of practical and philosophical advice from the author’s viewpoint.
Not for Kids Only: Puppet Ministry with a Flair (Ellen McCarty Anderson, 1983)
Scripts with moral lessons. A few pages about getting started.
The Puppet Ministry (Jim Christy, 1978)
Scripts and introductory instruction for starting a puppet ministry team to perform stage-type plays.
Putting It All Together in a Puppet Ministry (Fredda Marsh, 1978)
Scripts and introductory advice for operating a church puppet program.
Puppets Go to Church (Wilma Powers Perry & Earl Perry, 1975)
Scripts with moral lessons, plus a bit of practical and philosophical advice for proper use of puppets in a church setting.
Making Puppets Come Alive: How to Learn and Teach Hand Puppetry (Larry Engler & Carol Fijan, 1973; republished 1996)
This older book is well worth seeking out for its illustrated explanations of expressive body movements for hand puppets.
49 Nifty Ideas for Using Puppets with Songs in Christian Education (Grace Harp, 1977)
Exactly what the title says. The author’s philosophy of acceptable puppet activity is more restrictive than some churches will agree with.
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