A magical, rittly-rattly tale... A gentler story that avoids whittling into the darker themes of Pinocchio to stay closer in tone to Pixar's Up. But thanks to Almond's idiosyncratic style it has the same creeping sense of a life hanging in the balance that makes Skellig such an electrifying read 26 years on... Lizzy Stewart's drawings are pitch-perfect, giving the story the feeling of having been as lovingly handcrafted as Silvester's green-eyed lad. -- Lucy Bannerman * Children's Book of the Week, The Times *
I think it's simply wonderful. The language is so clean and beautiful. And I found the relationship between Sylvester and Kenneth/Puppet so pure and fragile it brought me to tears. CONGRATULATIONS to David on writing such a gorgeously hopeful book (despite the sadness in it). * Sarah Crossan *
Just like a puppet-maker, David Almond can create a story from the world all around. He takes the simplest pieces of life and rebuilds them into something quite magical. Puppet is a masterpiece. * Katya Balen *
David Almond understands our needs for community. This theme, and his insights into community, is evident in all the wonderful books he has written over the years. In Puppet we too as readers feel the reassurance he has created within the story. As powerful as any he has written, poignant and heart-warming and telling. David Almond has excelled himself yet again. * Michael Morpurgo *
Inspired by Pinocchio, David Almond has created another timeless classic... It's tender, very moving and the delicate black-and-white drawings reflect the joy and sadness at the beginning and end of lives. * Daily Mail *