The Granpa Cratchet Library Puppet Show
The Goal of the Granpa Puppet Show Program
- Promote the value of reading
- Motivate kids toward greater involvement in books
- Enhance library attendance and resource use
- Create excitement and interest in the value of books as a personal growth tool
- Connect kids to history
- Create roots oriented thinking
Our Mission
- Help libraries present a fact paced, slapstick, humorous show that will help libraries attract and involve kids ages two to twelve
- Entertain, educate and motivate kids to return to the library again and again
- Create involvement in Granpa reading programs
- Promote the regular ongoing local library programs
Puppetmobile TM Program Description
- Granpa greets kids for thirty minutes in advance of his show in his unique and amazing Puppetmobilile, creating a warm and lasting relationship through one on one interaction and personal, caring touch.
- His mobiles are fully electric, safe, exhaust free and have special effects that create laughs for all ages and small enough to fit through any double door
- The main goal of this show is to attach the emotion of excitement and joy to a library visit
- Space Requirement: Goes indoor or out door, is thirty two inches square and needs only about five square feet to operate
Granpa Puppet Program Themes
Each year Granpa presents a new theme that address personal growth issues that are important to parents, educators and the community at large, to date including:
- The Golden Rule (2008) “Right In The Kisser”
- Safety First (2009) “Right To The Moon Baby”
- Work Together (2010) “Chicken Pot Kaplowie”
- Take The Garbage Out (2011) “Super Veg Man of the Universe”
- Follow The Instructions (2012) “Granma’s Big Surprise”
- Do Your Chores (2013) “The Big Slat”
Our Cast of Characters - Puppets
- Granpa Cratchet: Everyone’s favorite off the wall, totally wired, but loveable Grandpa
- Cousin Clem: Tall green guy, Granpa’s helper, very slow, but very smart
- Granma: Granpa’s mother, can’t hear and can’t see, but knows all.
- Critters: Squirt the Skunk, Walley T. Squirrel, Fuzzball the Dog, Afterburner Bunny, Root the Pig, Bandit the Raccoon
- Kids: Our cast includes Josh and Madison, which are race neutral children puppets that all kids can relate to
Granpa’s 2008 Library Stage Show Program Description
- Theme: The Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated
- Title: Right In the Kisser
- Length: 30 to 45 minutes
- Granpa’s show contains three segments live skits, video skits and reading books while kids see the book on the “giant billboard,” and 32” flat panel TV that is made up to look like a billboard along a highway.
- Slapstick Show Segment: Granpa begins with a ten minute slapstick show: Granpa chases Fuzzball the dog and he ends up giving Granpa a big, sloppy kiss. Granpa looses the critters to get into Granma’s goodies (Via billboard video), Granpa and your kids get sprayed by Squirt the skunk
- Granpa reads one of several of his own books, written by him, about life in the good ole days down at the general store using is roll in “old time general store” stage while kids watch the pages on the “billboard”
- Granpa also reads some of his favorite books normally found at libraries.
- Granpa can read a book of your choice that promotes your own libraries resource
- Space Requirement: 7’ by 7’ area for the stage, plus your seating. Stage is fold out and enters through any normal double public door. This stage is on four big rollers and cannot go into a space with very long steps. Needs one strong person to help guide into place
Promotional Support
- Black and white photos
- Color photos
- Line art
- Press releases
- Personal interest stories
- Giant full color wall posters
- Radio Interviews
- Video programs for airing on your local cable
- Personal newspaper interviews
Materials Support
(Some are currently ready and some are in process. Please check with your Granpa rep for availability)
- “Story Time With Granpa” Set Of DVDs that match books the kids can check out
- Granpa coloring sheets and coloring contest guidelines
- How to Make Your Own Puppet - Put On Your Own Puppet Show Materials (For kids age five to ten)
- Hand outs for visiting day cares or schools include: DVDs, coloring sheets, full color posters and games boards
- Granpa hands out free video game “tickets” to kids that tell them how to play a free Granpa video game on line
Requirements List
- Space for the stage (7’ by 7’)
- Spot for Granpa to greet kids in his PuppetmobileTM (5’ by 5’ near front)
- 110 volt plug in within 50’ of stage
- Product Sales Table
- Permission for free “ticket” handout
Cost Overview
- One Library: A full week of shows at that library: $5,400 per week (One Monday through Saturday)
- Multiple Libraries: 16 slots are available through out a week, which can be divided between local libraries when a local tour is booked
- Monday a.m. afternoon and p.m.
- Tuesday a.m. afternoon and p.m.
- Wednesday: a.m. afternoon and p.m.
- Thursday a.m. afternoon and p.m.
- Friday a.m. and afternoon only
- Saturday a.m. and afternoon only
As the number of libraries increases the cost per library goes down, the cost being divided equally between each participating library
1L = $5,400 9L = $600
2L = $2,700 10L = $540
3L = $1,800 11L = $490
4L = $1,350 12L = $450
5L = $1,080 13L = $415
6L = $900 14L = $385
7L = $772 15L = $360
8L = $675 16L = $338
Slot Purchasing
- In a case where one library might purchase more than one slot in a day so Granpa can stay all day and present multiple shows
- Each slot basically represents one library, as such that one library would multiply their slot rate by the number of slots they wish to control.
- A library that purchases multiple slots would pay the 10 library minimum cost of $540 per slot as the typical tour sign up is ten libraries and their rate would be lowered if more sign up, notified by Email of lowered cost.
Sponsorship
- When one library decides to sponsor a local tour, that library gets their show free after ten other slots are sold
- Granpa’s show is one of the most sponsored shows in the live event industry and provides you with sponsor materials that you can distribute and use to obtain sponsor dollars from local businesses
- Local libraries may each provide a sponsor for their appearance and present with a sign and a live show mention
- A regional sponsor will get a sign and live show mention at all the libraries
Signing Up Other Libraries To Your Tour
Sign up and scheduling is easy:
- You, as the sponsoring library call and promote Granpa to other local libraries (Within a 120 mile maximum radius)
- Refer your potential library to www.oldcoot.com/libraryshow to see literature on your local tour
Scheduling
- A library will choose their slot first come first serve by going to www.oldcoot/libraryshows and referring to the name we give your tour, like “Northwest West Virginia Library Tour”
- Under your tour name three things happen:
You fill your library’s name in on the slot(s) you want - You download a list of requirements and prep lists
- You fill out a simple form that acts as your contact. By filling out the form you agree to the terms as simply stated on the form and send it. We reply with a welcome and a confirmation.
- As more libraries sign up and the cost per library goes down, an email is sent to each participating library informing them of their price reduction
Canceling Policy
- Your tour can be canceled up to 90 days in advance if too few libraries participate, and by a written notice to the Granpa home office, and by written return cancellation agreement
- Each individual participating library may cancel up to 45 days in advance by written notice via email. Within 45 days of the opening day of the tour an individual library may to “resell” their slot to another library. If they can get someone to replace their slot they will be excused from participation and financial liability and the new “recovering” library will note this fact in their contract note slot, provided for all libraries in the original Email agreement, which the recovering library would also be using to contract
- For acts of God each and all parties will act in good faith and clear communication to reschedule the tour or their slot.
- The Granpa Company has the right to reschedule the tour in case of acts of God, acting in good faith and clear, advance communication with libraries
Thank your for your consideration. We know from thirty years of experience that Granpa will be a big hit for you, your library and your community. If there is anything we can do for you or any question we can answer don’t hesitate to call.
Sam Bowman and Jason Fronczak
Your Granpa Experts
Jason Fronczak | jason@oldcoot.com | 765-891-0102
Sam Bowman | sam@oldcoot.com |765-438-9223