Clay and Klee

August fell in love with the book on Paul Klee's puppets.  browsed through it several times, turning pages and asking me to read captions and tell her who the puppets were. She began to cart the book around with her favorite toys, an affectionate gesture. I suggested we make our own puppets with clay and she became so excited she brought out the book and told me what she wanted to do. I helped by only hallowing out the head once she finished it. I showed her how to create a lip around the neck so we could later put fabric on them. She did it herself the second time.

She watched me create my own puppet head and then, after some hesitation, took off and made her own. I reminded her that there isn't a right way or a wrong way and I was excited to see what she'd  create. This seemed to ease some fears she had of "messing up". I told her she can't mess up and we looked through the book again. I told her Klee's puppets were not perfect and that's what made them so charming. Her reply was that they were, "...very perfect." I then assured her that what she made would be very perfect as well, and they are. I found the faces she came up with adorable.

We placed the puppet heads on the table to dry. She made two and I made one. I hope they will be ready to paint by Monday. This project has been an amazing experience. I'm so happy I came across the book as I had no idea he made puppets. We remain in this Dadadist phase, appropriate for childhood. I explored the Dadaist years and years ago, it's exciting to re-visit with August.