Blending literature and puppetry is an excellent medium to provide a safe and non-threatening environment for children to explore many life issues.
Abby's eyes widen in fear and amazement as she freezes in place. She grips her father's hand tightly. She is 5 years old, and I can see the gears in her mind spinning wildly as she gazes on the plush mouse I'm holding in my arms. The mouse slowly rises and falls with each breath. It quickly, and seamlessly, wipes his face clean and nestles itself in my arms. As I slowly and cautiously approach Abby and her father, Abby looks at me and says breathlessly, "Is it real?" I pull my hand away from the puppet mouse, breaking the connection. "No, it's just pretend," I reply, smiling, "but you can pet him if you would like!" Abby's eyes soften as her fear melts away and her curiosity increases. She gently tilts her head as a grin begins to spread across her face. "Hi, Mr. Mouse! Are you tired? Can I pet you?"
Blending literature and puppetry is an excellent medium to provide a safe and non-threatening environment for children to explore many life issues. Children feel secure talking and listening to puppets, connecting to them on many levels. I use the mouse puppet to tell the fable The Lion and the Mouse. Holding the mouse, I share the drama of how the lion and mouse befriended each other. This tale offers numerous teaching moments about unlikely friendships, helping hands, gender roles, ability concerns and ethnic and racial diversity. We compare and contrast the characters' physical attributes and then define their skills or character strengths. Most of the time, the mouse is identified as a weak female, while the lion is identified as a strong male. However, this stereotype is challenged by the role reversal that takes place in the story. The lion is weakened when he is captured in the net, and the mouse is strong and frees the lion. The activity is usually followed by a visual art activity in which students depict their strengths and how everyone — no matter how small, or what gender or race — has attributes from which we can learn.
Mr. Mouse returns to our classroom from time to time to reinforce and expand on these ideas. And best of all, shy little Abby and Mr. Mouse have become good friends and go on many adventures together.
M. Vetere
Illinois State University/Slippery Rock University
Bloomington, IL
