The majority of these books are available either or new or used through Amazon or other web sites and I’ve provided links to where they can be purchased (where possible). A few are older, out-of-print titles that can often be borrowed either from your local library or through inter-library loans (ask your local librarian for details).
Puppet Building Books
The Foam Book
By Drew Allison & Donald Devet
For many years this was the beginner’s bible for soft-foam puppet construction and it’s still a great resource for learning basic, straightforward methods for building foam hand and rod puppets.
Figure Making Can Be Fun?!?
By Michael Brose
Quite possibly the best book ever written explaining how to make Ventriloquist figures, the section on mechanics is an extremely useful resource for learning how to make moving/blinking eyes and other types of mechanical effects for your puppets.
Hand and Rod Puppets
By Hansjürgen Fettig
For many years this was one of the best sources of information on puppet mechanisms available and is very hard to find (copies in good condition usual sells for several hundred dollars online). A few of the designs are technically inaccurate, but this is a must-have book if you’re seriously interested in puppet mechanics.
Marionette Sourcebook
By Luman Coad
Although it’s not exactly a step-by-step guide for beginners, this is an incredibly useful sourcebook for designing marionettes.
Puppet Planet
By John Kennedy
A follow-up to John’s popular Puppet Mania!
Puppet Play
By Diana Schoenbrun
A fun book with lots of great ideas for creative, easy-to-make puppets. If you’re looking for ideas for puppets that children can make, this is one of the best resources you’ll find. Diana is also the author of Make Your Own Sock Puppets!
Books with great puppet activities for children
- 10-Minute Puppets
by Noel MacNeal
- The Muppets Make Puppets
by Cheryl Henson and the Muppet Workshop
- Puppet Mania!
- Sock Puppet Madness
by Marty Allen