I lived in La Paz, Bolivia from the summer of 1992 to the summer of 1994. One of my favorite memories of those two years was our visit to a large artisan craft fair. I have always loved handmade crafts, and I was awed by the variety and quality of the items available! The local Aymara and Quechua people have a history of producing beautiful handmade products, so I was thrilled when I was offered to review the Fair Trade 3 Bags Full Finger Puppet Pouches.
Each pouch (six different themes are available) is its own background scene, complete with a carry strap and a zip top to keep the eight puppets securely inside. The scene on the outside of the pouch has carefully placed snaps, so that you can attach the animals to the scenery.
The pouch also comes with a list of storybooks that are well suited to the puppets that come with that particular theme. They are sized perfectly for small fingers, with engaging features –
– that render them utterly kissable! Don’t you love the turtle’s shell, and the detail on the eyes?
They can be held and admired in quiet play, or take off on incredible adventures!
These items are beautiful literacy and creative play tools for any home or school, and their Fair Trade aspect improves the livelihood of families in Bolivia as well!
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Oh, I love them! I am a big fan of puppets.
Those are so cool! My kids would love them! I would love them!
Those are adorable! Definitely kissable!
Wow! Those really look amazing. I’m sure they’d be a prized item in any home. I could see them being great for pretend play, literacy skills, and encouraging language development. Plus they’re just adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Ooohhhh, that gives me an idea for a lady I know who just had babies. Her kids couldn’t use these for a few years, but she’d probably love these.
These look so fun! My kids are too old for these, but I tweeted your post with #weteach and #ece. I’m sharing it on my We Teach Children to Read Facebook community page too. http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Teach-Children-to-Read/103519196359196
Thank you for sharing my post! These puppets are beautifully made, and perfect for both creative play and encouraging literacy development!
Mary Ann,Thank you for reviewing this wonderful “story bag,” with photos that really show children engaging with the puppets.
I just came back from selling at the American Library Association, where children’s librarians are also excited about using these bags in their preschool programs. Each of the 6 theme bags comes with a list of suggested storybooks which can be used with the puppets for “story time.”
My goal is to give the Aymara women a steady source of income by building the market for the puppets in North America. Bolivia is the second poorest country in the world, and these women deserve to be able to have full time employment. When men work, families can feed and house their children. When women work, children can receive an education and access to health care. What a difference this will make for their children!!
Sue Berlove, Owner, Indigenous Crafts from Bolivia
What a beautiful idea, exquisitely executed. And doubly special since you’ve actually been to the place where these are made.
Отличная идея и исполнение)))
Those are really cute! I always try to keep a couple finger puppets in my bag along with some crayons!
Ooooh, those are amazing! I love the little hedgehog! I got finger puppets for Ingrid’s 2nd bday but we’ve since lost a few of them. The zip pouch is such a good idea.