The shows capture the imagination of children and their families while teaching about empathy, diversity, equality, love, and adventure.

Their  Inclusive Family Story Time Puppet Show ‘We Can’t All Be The Same’ and their Rainbow Family Story Time Puppet Show are both inspired by the children’s book of four stories by Australian author Glenn Martin titled We Can’t All Be The Same (and it would be boring if we were!).

We Can’t All Be The Same is a puppet show and story time performance that will resonate with all families who are part of, actively support or want to learn more about LGBTIQ, refugee and multi-abled communities while Rainbow Family Story Time Puppet Show will resonate with families who are part of, actively support or want to learn more about LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer) communities.

Larrikin Puppets principal puppeteer Brett Hansen said the new shows featured songs, skits and games plus a story reading and interactive storybook sing-a-long.

“During the story time show, our wonderful storyteller Elissa is joined by puppet characters Troggg and Frazzamatazz for the reading of stories from Glenn’s wonderfully thoughtful, empathetic children’s book ‘We Can’t All Be Same’,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful collection of four rhymings, short stories that teach children about diversity, equality, love and adventure. We gift the audience with 2-3 readings from the book.

“Other characters in the puppet show include Freerange the Chicken, a singing vegan cheesecake and Flossy the Fur Wave Feminist. The show is followed by a 5-minute demonstration on how the puppets work and a 10-minute meet-and-greet with the puppets,” he said.

Larrikin Puppets artistic director Elissa Jenkins said Larrikin Puppets was a thriving, sustainable puppetry arts business with a six-year live theatre practice of spreading messages of love, joy, fun and kindness combined with child development outcomes through talking, playing, singing and dancing.

“As leaders in our field, it’s time for us to now promote acceptance through understanding – inspiring children and adults alike to embrace diversity in all its forms.

“More than ever, what the world needs now is love. It’s time for us, as performing artists, to step up and celebrate diversity and promote empathy.

“Developing a sense of empathy is an important developmental process for young children that benefit them and their local community in childhood and into adult life. Besides, it makes life and theatre less boring and more fun,” she said.