A puppet show based on Dream Carver, a children’s book featuring Oaxacan Culture, is coming to our local library.

Community members can experience a bilingual musical puppet show based on the popular children’s book by Diana Cohn, at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

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“Productions like Dream Carver and other internationally inspired events are hosted by the Santa Clarita Public Library as part of its Cultural Landscape programming,” commented Mayor Laurie Ender. “Cultural Landscape programs are designed to expose youth to music, dance, art and crafts from cultures around the world as a means of celebrating the diversity of Santa Clarita.”

The free 45-minute show features a cast of handmade, masterfully crafted full-body puppets using vibrant colors. Combined with music unique to this production, these puppets help teach children character development and history using visual and performing arts.

Presented by Swazzle Puppets Production, the Dream Carver show was inspired by the life of Manuel Jiménez, who pioneered the now-famous Oaxacan style of woodcarving. When Mateo dreams, the audience will be transported to a magical world where brightly colored animals play and interact in fun and entertaining ways. The animals in Mateo’s dream are carved out of foam and painted to resemble Oaxacan woodcarvings come to life.

Swazzle Puppets Production returns to the Santa Clarita Public Library featuring master puppeteers including Oaxacan native and founder, Manual Jimenez.  Jimenez is known for creating expert folk art woodcarvings that he uses in the production of the, “Dream Carver,” which is inspired by his own life story.

For more information on the Dream Carver event and other Cultural Landscape programs, please contact Santa Clarita Public Library Youth Services Coordinator Kelly Behle at (661) 259-8333.