Puppet

As one of our most lauded children’s writers, David Almond needs no introduction. The arrival of a new David Almond book is certainly an event, and fans of his lyrical, magic-realist work for the young will not be disappointed by Puppet. It’s the story of a puppeteer called Silvester who has reached old age and been persuaded to retire from his beloved profession. Silvester makes one last puppet, but this one is different – he soon discovers that it speaks and has a mind of its own. What follows is a haunting meditation on ageing, loss, and – in the character of Fleur, a young girl Silvester comes to know – how creativity is passed on from one generation to the next. That might all sound a little profound for young readers, but the simplicity and clarity of the writing gives gives the story a fairy tale feel, and its heart is definitely in the right place. Ideal for thoughtful older KS2 readers.