Kalli: Punch and Judy to cuddle
With Kalli, Kersa turned the traditional Kasper cast into cuddly hand puppets with a sewn fabric head. Kersa made them for children from babyhood. The series is no longer made.
The characters
Kasper is the hero of German-speaking puppet theatre and a cousin of the English Mr Punch; in the product names he appears as Punch. Seppel is his best friend. The robber, the witch and the magician cause the trouble, and the king and the princess bring a castle into the story. The crocodile is the animal of the cast and has a movable mouth; the human figures let you work the head and arms.
From hand puppet to soft toy
With a hand inside, Kasper talks, nods and waves. Take your hand out, and he is a soft toy to hug.
For a baby, one figure is enough. It peeks out, hides behind a blanket and pops up again. The crocodile can do that too, opening its mouth very slowly and snapping it shut. Older siblings act out little scenes: the robber creeps up, Seppel calls for help, and Kasper arrives just in time.
Morning routines at home
At the start, a grown-up usually works the figures. Kasper says good morning and asks who is awake already. Seppel helps with getting dressed, shows where the sleeve goes and counts the buttons. After a few days, many children want to hold Seppel themselves and take him everywhere.
In the nursery group
At morning circle, a Kalli figure can open the session. The nursery teacher lets Seppel greet every child, and anyone who wants to may hold him afterwards. Each figure can have a little ritual of its own: the magician announces tidy-up time, the princess calls everyone to the table. During the settling-in weeks, some families send their child in with a Kalli figure from home, so a familiar face is there from day one.
Choosing a Kalli figure
- Babies: Start with one of the friendly characters, such as Kasper, Seppel or the princess.
- Two children, two figures: Each child has their own, and Kasper and Seppel can talk to each other.
- A short play: Kasper and Seppel are the friends; the robber, the witch or the magician plays the villain.
- Waving or snapping: To wave and say hello, take a human figure; for a game with the mouth, take the crocodile.
- Toddler groups: According to the maker, the figures can be washed gently. With two of the same figure, one is ready for morning circle while the other is in the wash.
- Gifts for a new baby: The king or the princess suits parents who love reading fairy tales aloud, and Kasper suits anyone who grew up with puppet theatre.
- For nurseries and schools: They can pay by invoice once we have approved their customer account.
More soft hand puppets for babies
The brand munabo makes soft animal hand puppets with a sewn fabric head, and they too are meant for the very youngest.