Overland with Kids

With copyright permission of Lauren Child, we commissioned a company called www.costumesandmascots.com to make an adult sized ‘Pesky’ costume (mascot) and 4 of the main rod puppet characters (Pierre the Chinchilla, Oscar the Siamese Cat, Nibbles the Rabbit and Andrew the Scottie Dogs) especially for us, in time for the shows. See here for more information about the shows.

As the shows have not been performed as yet (due to start next week), we don’t want to publish pictures of the 4 puppets as yet as may ruin the show format for those attending (there is one of Nibbles on our Puppet Shows page).

We sourced and purchased the other reasonably large hand puppets which will feature in the shows also - from existing stock items bought from an internet supplier (these can be seen here under puppet profiles section). We made the MDF props and painted ourselves - i.e. pet shop, street scene, Pesky’s dustbin and Pesky’s letter.

Following the shows, we won’t be able to store or keep these items while we’re on the road next year but would like to see them put to continued good use. We would like to donate or loan these items to another school, children’s group or organisation interested in performing similar work in favour of Educational Aid and/or the My Life is a Story campaign in order that efforts can continue in raising the profile for the Programme for Educational Aid for Deprived Children across the world.

The condition is that the organisation/group must be planning to or wish to link to a school or orphanage and that all funds raised/intended efforts are in favour of Educational Aid benefit to that cause. Maybe you know of someone who has existing links with a school abroad already? Or maybe you are thinking about forging links links to connect and develop strong relationships over time, such as the partnership school we are currently supporting has (this is not always about money but often simple material collections from home, teaching guidance or both). The relationship should not be one-off but a long-term on-going commitment in support of Educational Aid with their chosen cause.

Please note: Any intended use of the licensed and copyright character ‘Pesky’ must be done with the express permission of Lauren Child’s team. This is not difficult if Pesky is used in the way intended as part of his story.  Once the school/organisation have finished using the puppets and props, they can either return them to us or Lauren’s team or be involved in helping us hand over to similar groups willing to continue the good work.

A really great, fun way of getting involved for children too!. The script was written by us and can be changed for example to suit your cast/audience, as long as the important themes of homelessness, belonging, identity and discrimination are followed according to story’s key messages.

The school/organisation does not necessarily have to be UK based but requests are also invited from other countries interested in assisting Lauren’s partnership with UNESCO.

If you are interested, feel you may know of any interested parties or, would like more information, please get in touch with us by email at info@overlandwithkids.com or come along to the shows which kick of Friday 23rd October (Friday evenings are best for us to chat) to see for yourselves what’s on offer.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards

OWK team

 

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