BOOKS DAVE HERZOG A Valuable Book for the Novice and Professional Puppeteer


The Maynard Method of Making Puppets and Marionettes By James Maynard A Review By Dave Herzog


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or many years when people have asked me what books I recom- mend on puppet construction,


I have always listed Marionettes: Easy to Make! Fun to Use! by Edith Flack Ack- ley, Marionettes: A Hobby for Everyone by Mabel and Les Beaton, and The Puppet Theatre Handbook by Marjorie Batchelder. I am now going to add a new fourth, 2020 book to that revered line up: The Maynard Method of Making Puppets and Marionettes, available on CD-ROM via eBay, list price $19.95.


At 334 pages, The Maynard Method of


The section on animal puppets is perhaps the finest moment of this book. Here James’s many years as puppeteer, costumer, and theater designer really shine. What is often an afterthought in other construction manuals is given the full treatment. James covers everything from making puppets from stuffed animals, as well as a section on making many different animal puppets on your own.


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Making Puppets and Marionettes is a treasure trove of creative ideas. What sets this publication apart from its predecessors is that this is truly a puppet-making guide for the 21st century. Wisely, James decided to publish his book as a CD. This gives the book a distinct advantage over other how-to books. Not only does James give a clear, concise description of each step of puppet building, but he also illustrates each step with a clear color photo. James goes one step further in that for each process, he also includes a pattern that downloads in full size. For example, the section on heads includes not only beautifully illustrated examples of puppet heads easily fashioned from Styro- foam, but also patterns for the individual facial features, all of which can be downloaded. Nothing is left to chance with this format; the basic lesson is fully complete, from head, hands, and body construction, as well as costumes including such items as hats. This makes it possible for even a first-time puppet maker to get a pleasing result. All the materials listed can easily be found in fabric and craft stores. The simple tools used in the book can for the most part be found in any home improvement or hardware store at relatively low cost. Many are tools that most households have on hand. James includes sections on hand pup- pets as well as marionettes. He also offers patterns and instructions for both 18- and 22-inch marionettes. In addition, he has an excellent, slightly more advanced sec- tion of variety “trick” marionettes, cover- ing classic variety acts, such as the tight- rope walker and trapeze artist. James also includes full-size illustrations of marionette controls. This is a real boon to novice puppeteers.


The section on animal puppets is per- haps the finest moment of this book. Here James’s many years as puppeteer, costumer,


and theater designer really shine. What is often an afterthought in other construction manuals is given the full treatment. James covers everything from making puppets from stuffed animals, as well as a section on making many different animal puppets on your own. The chapter covering the


making of an anthropomorphized Big Bad Wolf will allow the reader to create a really first-rate marionette.


Sections on puppet stages and scenery construction are also included in this handy, easy-to-use format. The reader can even save the PDFs to their hard drive. It’s very easy to print out sections of the book, as well, for easy reference.


I recommend this book highly to both beginners and pros. I think teachers and those who work with young people will find The Maynard Method of Making Puppets and Marionettes to be a must-have guide on the art of puppetry for years to come. Thank you, James, for creating a new mod- ern classic guide to puppet construction.


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