Awful Library Books

Hand and Rod Puppets: A Handbook of Technique
Fettig
translated by Susanne Forster
1973

Submitter: This was in the children’s section. I hate to say “just look at it” but… yeah. It’s ugly as sin, it’s pointless, and I’m pretty sure that if it could talk, it would tell me stories about paying ten cents for ice cream cones. I don’t doubt Mr. Fettig’s technique, but I do doubt any kid is gonna walk in and ask about dirty, old books about creepy puppets. I am going to keep it for my personal collection, though. I feel sorry for it. ‘Twas part of a public library’s collection.

Holly: If you type “making puppets” into Amazon, there are all kinds of glossy, full-color books for under $20. I can’t imagine why there are so many of these old black and white puppet books from the 1970s lingering on library shelves. The art and craft of puppet making is still relevant, and should not be lost forever, but keeping books from the 1970s on the subject doesn’t entice anyone to want to learn about it. For the love of Dewey, update!