The Puppet

Hand Puppet

(Alternate name: Glove Puppet)

Category of puppet manipulated from below. Hand puppets generally consist of a hollow head and a fabric costume attached at the base of the neck. This type of puppet is controlled by a hand placed inside the costume: one or two fingers are fed into the neck; the others are placed in each of the arms, providing direct control of the puppet's movements. The head and hands of a hand puppet can be made of materials that are either solid (wood, plastic wood, papier mâché) or pliable (fabric, foam rubber, latex). Hand puppets usually have no legs; when they do have legs, these hang limply without being controlled.

Definition inspired by the Kenneth B. McKay book, Puppetry in Canada: An Art to Enchant, published by the Ontario Puppetry Association. Copyright 1980

Hand and Rod Puppet

Type of puppet which combines both hand and rod techniques. A hand placed inside the head of the puppet controls its movements, while the other hand controls the two rods attached to the puppet's arms. In some variations, two puppeteers share manipulation. The term "hand and rod puppet" can also be used to describe a hand puppet whose head is controlled by a short rod concealed inside the costume.

Definition inspired by the Kenneth B. McKay book, Puppetry in Canada: An Art to Enchant, published by the Ontario Puppetry Association. Copyright 1980