Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

This story will surprise many. The feel of the book is not just sad, but seemingly sad for no real purpose. There is death, loneliness, purposelessness and more all told through a short story about a group of puppets. There are no joyful moments. There are no ‘good’ characters, including, for the most part, the puppets themselves. In fact, the young girls at the end of the story are negative and unkind in their interactions (e.g., “she hissed, ‘Martha do this right now or you will regret it.’”). The illustrations also add to the “odd” feel. — There are a few other items to be aware of. There is one use of the word ‘bewitched’ (to mean amazed). The maid, when startled, yells “Saints preserve us!”. A wizard puppet announces a curse during a play. Loving without regret is described as “the greatest glory there is” by one character. — Finally, during a play they get to the point where the boy puppet is ready to rescue the girl puppet who has been taken captive by a wolf. Right at the pivotal moment, in very modern fashion, the girl puppet yells out for the boy puppet not to rescue her, that she doesn’t need it (even though she is captured). She then mocks the boy when he rescues her anyway and is proud of his good deed. It comes across as a sad, unnecessary twist on what many have found to be such a beautiful storyline over the years.