A Bit Behind on the Blog

Well, we have been working like crazy on redesigning our website and have not had time to update the blog for a couple of months. A major sin, I know. I had starting writing our web pages by hand in 1995 so all of our pages were hand written. No database - which was very time consuming when I wanted to make a change to any of the 1300 pages on our site. We have consolidated everything into one big database on only one server.

You will find search easier and more complete and much more graphical. We show many more related items than before. I was amazed at how many kids books Tess had matched with puppets that I hand never had time to add to the web.

The shopping bag will display on the right side of the page when you have an item selected and can be changed easily. You can get shipping costs for the US on the fly as you shop and can see the running total.

While we are mostly done, I am sure we will be making a few more minor changes here and there as we find the need.

If you have been in our store in Langley WA, then you will find that the online experience on the redesigned site reflects much better the depth of our selections of children's books to match with Folkmanis puppets.

So, having that done. I can get back to working on my blog. I have fixed a few of the picture links in this blog and will do more soon to correct the web address.

I have a list of new puppets due out staring in July and will post that tomorrow.

- Richard

Easter Bunnies Taking A Rest on Easter

Well, we have been pretty busy this week in the store with Spring Break and Easter on Sunday. We will be open today and Friday, closed Easter Sunday, then open after that our normal hours from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Of course, you can order online at any time. http://www.kidsbooksandpuppets.com/

Folkmanis Mozart Puppet Just Released

The Folkmanis Mozart puppet was released in February 2010. "Delightful two-handed piano puppet allows for animation of keys while your second hand operates the removable Mozart hiding inside the grand piano. Designed in sumptuous velvet fabrics, this piece is gorgeous just sitting there but enchanting when puppeteered!" Mozart puppet can be removed from the piano but it does not stand up by itself.

About 11 inches long, 10 inches wide, 6 inches high (27.9 cm x. 25.4 cm x 15.2 cm).

Unboxed Weight 10.4 oz (0.65 lb, 295 g)

New Folkmanis Tadpole Frog Puppet now available

The Folkmanis Tadpole Frog puppet was released in February 2010. This puppet is tadpole on one side and frog on the other. The Tadpole and Frog have a moveable mouth and the legs tuck in on Tadpole for Polliwog stage. You can move the legs on the frog side by putting you fingers in the leg first, then in the head. The mouth of the tadpole moves also, but not as easily as the frog. A smaller hand works best. This will be great for teaching biology in class.

About 17 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 6 inches tall (43.2 cm x 20.3 cm, 15.2 cm).

Unboxed Weight 8 oz (0.5 lb, 227 g)

New Folkmanis Sitting Polar Bear Puppet

The Folkmanis Sitting Polar Bear puppet has a moveable mouth and all four legs can be moved. You put your hand in the puppet from underneath into the four legs or put a finger in the head to move the mouth. The fur is slightly off white and has a thicker feel to the coat. His eyes and nose are black and there is a nice paw design printed on his feet. The Folkmanis sitting Polar Bear puppet was released in February 2010. Check out all of the new Folkmanis puppets released in 2010.

About 8 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 9 inches tall (20.3 cm x 12.7 cm, 22.9 cm).
Unboxed Weight 5.8 oz (0.37 lb,165 g)

New Gray and White Folkmanis Bunny Finger Puppet

The Folkmanis Bunny Rabbit finger puppet was released in February 2010. The cute little rabbit finger puppet is light gray and white with pink ears. Darling! You put your finger in the puppet from underneath. Great for a spring or Easter gift.

About 5 inches long (12.7 cm).
Unboxed Weight 0.7 oz (0.044 lb, 19.9 g)

Folkmanis Rat Puppet in stock, Great Price

The Folkmanis Rat puppet was released in January 2010. The Folkmanis Rat puppet is gray with pinkish ears, nose and tail. You put your hand in the body from the back side to put your fingers in the head to move the mouth and in the four legs to move them.

This cute little rat puppet is 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, 4 inches tall (22.9 cm x 12.7 cm x 10.2 cm)

Act II's Price: $ 12.99, Save $3.00 off retail.

- Richard

Robinson Crusoe Audio Book Now Available on CDs

Robinson Crusoe Audio Book now available on 2 CDs. Just $19.99.

"Young Robinson Crusoe has a burning ambition to be a sailor. Paying no attention to his parents' warnings he runs away to sea to embark on an extraordinary series of adventures: struggles with Barbary pirates, a shipwreck, and the extraordinary meeting with Man Friday. Roy Marsden plays the older Robinson Crusoe looking back on a life of recklessness, daring and adventure - and the survival of twenty-eight years, two months and nineteen days on a desert island. Based on the real-life adventures of Alexander Selkirk, "Robinson Crusoe" was one of the very first adventure stories to be published in English literature and it remains as gripping today as it was on publication in 1719."

- unabridged audio book on 2 CDs, BBC Children's Classics

Tales of Beatix Potter Audiobook for 18 stories only $14.39

We just got in the "Tales of Beatrix Potter" by Beatrix Potter on audiobook CDs. This collection of 18 of Beatrix Potter's has the charming stories about Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Mrs. Tittlemouse, and others that continue to enchant a whole new generation of fans.

Let your children share in the tradition of Beatrix Potter and her animal family , a literary treasure for generations to cherish. Her books have been translated into nearly every language and have neve been out of print.

Only #14.39 plus shipping. Check out all of our children's audiobooks.

Jester Costume Hats for Mardi Gras 15% off

Mardi Gras is always a fun time! We are all ready for winter to be over and one of our Jester hats will go great with any celebration. Mardi Gras is Feb 16, 2010. The jester hats sell for 15% off retail and we have a number to choose from. Only $16.98 for this Royal Court Jester hat.

The Royal Court Jester costume hat is purple with yellow diamonds around the head. The three points have a silver bell at the end of each point. It is about 15 inches (38.1 cm) between each of the tri-points on the hat and it is about 6 inches (15.2 cm) high at the center.

- Richard

New Folkmanis White Rabbit Puppet is Perfect for Alice in Wonderland

This new Folkmanis White Rabbit puppet is perfect for you Alice in Wonderland parties. It is pure white, all over except for its black eyes. The Folkmanis Standing White Rabbit puppet was released in January 2010. This pure white rabbit puppet has smooth, silky fur and a moveable mouth and paws. The rabbit puppet is in a sitting position with long perky ears. You can flop them bacak and forth. The rabbit is 10 inches long, 8 inches wide and 17 inches tall (25.4 cm x 20.3 cm x 43.2 cm)

Only $19.99 plus shipping.

Check out all of the new Folkmanis Puppets released so far in 2010.

- Richard

New Folkmans Hermit Crab Puppet

We have the new Folkmanis Hermit Crab puppet in stock. We are glad to get this in because living on an island, we get lots of customers coming to enjoy the beach and take long walks looking for sea shells. A momento from Langley was often one of the hermit crabs that Folkmanis used to make and discontinued. It was smaller than this new Hermit crab puppet.

The Folkmanis Hermit Crab puppet was released January 2010. You put your hand in the shell and crab from underneath to move the crab in and out of the shell and move its legs. The crab does not completely remove from the shell but comes out quite a ways. The puppeteer can really get their hand into the puppet and move it. The design of the shell and crab is very realistic with white shell with stiching and printed designs and the orange crab with quite real looking legs.

13 inches long, 9 inches wide, 11 inches high (33 cm x 22.9 cm x 27.9 cm)

Add the House for Hermit Crab children's book with this puppet.

- Richard

Checkout the new Folkmanis Chicken Puppet 20% off

Have you looked at the new Folkmanis Chicken puppet released in January 2010? This chicken puppet is a fun bird! The orange colored chicken has a red cocks comb, white eyes and moveable mouth and wings. You put your hand in the bottom of the body and into the head to easily move the mouth. Each wing has a glove under the wing for your fingers to move the wings. The legs of the chicken dangle when you hold him up but he does not stand on his own.

Only $27.59 each plus shipping.

The chicken is about 15 inches (38.1 cm) from the bottom of the body to the top of the head or 22 inches (55.9 cm) from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head. 12 inches long and 9 inches wide (30.5 cm x 22.9 cm). Check out the rest of the new Folkmanis puppets.

Folkmanis Collie Just Released Jan 22

We just got in the new Folkmanis Collie puppet. It is very realistic looking with long nose, cute face and brown and white fur. You can move the mouth easily from under the dog. My wife's family used to have a collie years ago. Good old Rebel was a great dog.

The Folkmanis collie puppet is about 14 inches high, 19 inches long and 7 inches wide (35.6 cm x 48.3 cm 17.8 cm)

20% off! Only $25.99 plus shipping. Check out the rest of the new Folkmanis puppets.

New Folkmanis Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Puppet

We are just really having fun with the new Folkmanis Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Puppet. Tess just got in a new book to go with it called "Where's the Big Bad Wolf." I will get that on here in a few days, but for now here is some info on this great new stage puppet.

The Folkmanis Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Stage puppet was released in January 2010. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing hand puppet has a wolf puppet with white and gray body that is 16 inches (35.6 cm) tall.

The sheepskin over the wolf is removeable. You can move the mouth and the two paws. Here is a picture of the wolf puppet without the sheep skin. He is pretty versatile and has a cute face for such a "bad wolf".

Cost is only $20.99. Grab one now or check out all the new Folkmanis puppets in 2010.

- Richard

New Folkmanis Puppets for 2010

Whew! Where did the last few months go?!





Folkmanis has released 9 new puppets since December. The cute Groundhog finge puppet is just in time for Groundhog's Day. Get yours soon and help bring in Spring early this year.





The other new Folkmanis puppets are:

• Chicken


• Golden Retriever Puppy


• Hermit Crab


• Lamb with brown feet


• Standing White Rabbit


• Tiger Stage Puppet


• Wolf in Sheep's clothing - a new favorite of ours!

More information to come on each puppet. Richard

Costume hats for Christmas 15% Off

We added several great costume hats for Christmas including Reindeer Antlers, the Mrs Clause Muffin hat, Santa Claus with beard, and more. Visit our What's new page for the details 15% off these hats

Halloween Hats at 15% off Retail

Halloween is just a few weeks away. Make sure you start your costume with one of our affordable halloween hats. From Witches to Wizards, Pirates and Princesses, Alice in Wonderland, Dr Seuss and many more. All at 15% off retail!

Over 80 different hats, many for other occasions than Halloween.

Pouch! children's book by David Stein to go with Folkmanis Kangaroo Puppet

In "Pouch" children's book, David Ezra Stein, the creator of "Leaves" presents a delightful new tale of a curious baby kangaroo who wants to explore the exciting world around him. Full color."
David Stein's story about a new born roo that hops out of it mother' pouch to explore the world. But when it sees something new it jumps back in the "Pouch" for safety. Until one day it finds other roos to play with. colored pictures, hardcover book with 32 pages and dustcover. 15% off retail price.
Target Age: 04 to 05

The Folkmanis Kangaroo with Joey Puppet was released February 2009. The Kangaroo is light brown and has a finger puppet with legs. It comes attached in the pouch with a plastic string to allow use of the finger puppet separately. The mother Kangaroo puppet has movable paws and mouth. Requires a smaller hand to move the arms and mouth on the larger Kangaroo puppet. Designed for ages 3 and up. 20% off retail.

New Folkmanis Small Turkey in stock October

I have been a bit behind on my blogging. I took a quick trip to Omaha NE to be part of an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for my cousin's son. Having earned my Eagle Scout many years ago, I appreciate all that he went through to earn this great honor.

Flying across the country gives you some time to reflect. What a great country we have, with varied terrain and a wide range of people that make this a great place to live.

With Thanksgiving not far off for our Canadian friends and next month for the US, you might check out the new Folkmanis small Turkey puppet or even the Folkmanis large turkey puppet that we have. We will be getting the small turkey next Friday. But we have the large turkey in stock.

Richard