The Puppets of Spelhorst
Family Read 2025
Full List of Family Read Events
A magical and beautifully packaged gift volume designed to be read aloud and shared, The Puppets of Spelhorst is a tale that soothes and strengthens us on our journey, leading us through whatever dark forest we find ourselves in.
March is Reading Month and we are excited to announce The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo as this year’s Family Read, to be read and celebrated all month. The Puppets of Spelhorst is a short chapter book with beautiful black and white illustrations. It is the first book in a planned trio of stories called The Norendy Tales, perfect for the Family Read because they are written to be read aloud and shared. Parents often read to young children, but it is valuable to read and talk with older kids too, to improve their reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and help them think about the world through books.
We hope you enjoy the book and accompanying events that kick off on Saturday, March 1, 2pm with a Spinning Dot Theatre Puppet Show at YDL-Whittaker and paper bag puppet making at YDL-Superior.
Read books all month, attend programs to learn something new, and explore the book at home with prompts you’ll find on this page. As you complete activities, check them off on our Family Read Spring Challenge BINGO card. Get a BINGO and visit the library for a free book of your choice from our prize cart. For each additional BINGO, pick a prize from the treasure box, up to four times (if you fill in every box on the BINGO card!).
LEARN BEFORE YOU READ
HEAR FROM THE AUTHOR
Watch an author book talk with Kate DiCamillo and Children’s Book World.
Kate DiCamillo was the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2014-15. Her theme was “Books Connect Us.” She strongly believes in the power of reading aloud and shared listening. Click “The Magic of Reading Aloud” to her talk about this, then talk with someone about what reading aloud together means to you.
Growing Readers Podcast Interview
The Magic of Reading Aloud
READ ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR
Learn More about Kate DiCamillo and her Books
Learn More about Julie Morstad and her Books
TALK ABOUT THE BOOK
Did you ever receive a gift you really liked, that became a big part of your life? What was it, and what did you do?
Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected situation, and had to make the best of it? What happened?
Which puppets and characters demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, empathy, and perseverance? How do their different strengths help them as a team?
ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME
PRACTICE KINDNESS
The girl puppet is kind to everyone, helping them stick together as a group. How do you practice kindness? Get ideas for a family kindness jar, random acts of kindness, and a gratitude journal.
TARGET PRACTICE
You might not have a bow an arrow like the boy puppet, but you can make a marshmallow slingshot from materials you have at a home, then set up an area to practice your aim. Follow the instructions on PBS Kids Design Squad.
OWLS AND WOLVES
Learn about owls and wolves in Michigan when you click the images below.
LISTEN TO PETER AND THE WOLF
Hear a story told through music when you listen to Peter and the Wolf. How does this wolf’s experience compare to the wolf in The Puppets of Spelhorst?
SCRIPT WRITING AND READERS’ THEATER
Put on a performance at home! Use the script writing guide to write your own story, or download the script of the play from the book and read it aloud, with members of the family taking on different roles. Cut out the images in the script, or make your own puppets by following instructions in the links below.
Readers' Theater Script
826Michigan Writing Activities
MAKE PUPPETS
Make pop up puppets
Make shadow puppets
Make paper bag puppets
If you don’t have materials to make a puppet, use your hands to make shadows and tell a story!
EVERYONE IS UNIQUE
All the characters in the book, have their own hopes and dreams, despite also having a common mission to stick together. Use things from around your house to make a collage of words and images that represent you! Click the image below for ideas about how to make an identity collage.
