Silvester is a puppet-maker, too old now to put on shows.
Alone for a long time since his wife died, he is drawn one night to his work bench in the attic.
An array of mismatched puppet parts, covered in the dust of years, lay scattered there.
He begins to put them together to form a
new puppet.
Each show he'd put on came with a story.
He wonders aloud what story could accompany this puppet.
He seems to hear a sound in response to his thought, but he brushes it away thinking he is hearing things due to tiredness, and goes to bed.
The museum wants to exhibit Silvester’s entire
puppet collection in honour of his contribution of so many years. He has packed everything and prepared it for
pick-up. He wants to come to terms with the end of his life.
But nothing is over until it’s over.
The puppet starts to say a few words and the old man sees him as the child he never had. Silvester gives him a name. He takes him everywhere, and does with him, what he would have done with a son or grandchild.
The old man is given new life, even for a short
time. Not alone anymore, he meets Fleur, who is passionate about Silvester
teaching her how to make puppets.
Silvester is feeling his age and recognizes he is ready to pass his dreams onto a younger generation.
But not yet, for there is one more show in him.
Beautiful black and white illustrations by Lizzy
Stewart enhance the text and move with the story.
Puppet reflects on the important, thought- provoking themes of being remembered, the value of memories, loneliness, ageing, endings and beginnings.
Title: Puppet
Author: David Almond
Illustrator: Lizzie Stewart
Publisher: Walker Books, $ 18.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781536239171
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction