There is a site called BLURB, which is simply amazing! You can publish your own bound book; hard cover or paperback for around $20.00 US. Just sign up, and download their publishing software: This user friendly software gives you the capability to add pictures, and writing of your very own. Is there a puppetry book you always wanted to make? Or perhaps produce a photo portfolio to showcase your work? BLURB also allows for authors to download their blogs and make the information (pictures included) into book(s). Perfect for those wanting a hardcopy of their blog, especially if you have a “how to” blog; or a pictoral showcase of your family and friends. Check out other books people made HERE

If you are just starting out and the idea of using foam to create a puppet is new to you, then you need The Foam Book by Drew Allison and Donald Devet. The book is a great way for beginner builders to get used to working with foam and to get familiar with a few foam puppet construction techniques. The Foam Book is definitely a book to get your creative juices flowing.

The only potential drawback we found with The Foam Book is the lack of a tangible pattern. The two techniques discussed in the book are more free-form in style. This can have its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that many times when building a free-style puppet, you’ll discover methods or characters that you would have never known were there. The character is created mainly through the process of building. The disadvantage is if you have an existing sketch of a character or if you would like to reproduce your characters. The free-form style does not make it easy to “capture” the pattern. Thus it would be hard to replicate your characters and have them closely resemble the original.

That having been said, we feel The Foam Book is a great addition to a beginner puppet builder’s library. Check out more information and other’s reviews of The Foam Book.