If you’ve been intrigued by the Rabbit in the Hat Puppet, Greg Hamilton’s book, “Hare Brain Ideas For the Rabbit in The Hat Puppet,” offers lots of creative ideas for building a fun routine in your children’s show. The book discusses puppet techniques, offers rabbit-based jokes and “impressions” and suggests magic tricks and routines that work well with the puppet. And even if you don’t want to use the Rabbit in the Hat Puppet, the book offers suggestions that can work with other puppets.
The Rabbit in the Hat Puppet is a well known hand puppet that depicts a rabbit poking his body out of a top hat. In Hamilton’s routines, the puppet remains silent, leaning over and whispering in his ear.
In the first chapter, Hamilton discusses basic puppet technique, storage and props. There are good suggestions here from someone who has obviously worked with the puppet.
The second chapter features over a hundred bunny, rabbit and hare jokes, most of which are absolute groaners. Consider:
“What do you call a rabbit that is smart?”
“A knows hare.”
“Where do rabbits settle their legal disputes?”
“In pellet courts.”
The third chapter lists “impressions” that the puppet can perform. For example, when the bunny puppet holds a brush, he becomes a “hare brush.”
The jokes and impressions don’t get any better. But just because a joke or pun is downright painful, it’s never been a reason for kid performers to not use them. Why stop now?
The fourth chapter lists mostly commercial magic tricks that may be presented with the puppet as well as effects to introduce the puppet. The last two chapters present magic and gospel-themed routines using the puppet. There are some excellent ideas in these chapters that can work well with other puppets.
Hamilton’s book is light and fast reading. While the Rabbit in the Hat puppet may not be for all kid performers, anyone who wants to incorporate the puppet in his or her act will find a wealth of ideas in “Hare Brain Ideas For the Rabbit in The Hat Puppet.”
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
