Sunny is a vibrant new addition to The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes Rainbow Collection, made from 99% recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall, Sunny is dressed in signature rainbow colours with embroidered eyes, a friendly face, and an eye-catching design that proudly celebrates inclusivity and diversity. A built-in squeaker in his tongue and a wide, expressive mouth make him an engaging and interactive tool for imaginative play, communication development, and PSHE activities. Suitable for children aged 18 months and above and loved by adults too, Sunny brings warmth, colour, and meaning to every setting he is used in.

How Sunny helps with communication and learning

For children with dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, or other learning differences, puppets offer a low-pressure route into spoken language. When a child speaks through or to a puppet, the anxiety of direct communication reduces, making it easier to practise words, sentences, and ideas. Sunny's inclusive, joyful character creates an immediate sense of welcome and belonging, which is particularly valuable for children who have experienced anxiety, low confidence, or a sense of being different from their peers in educational settings.

The wide mouth and built-in squeaker encourage voice play, sound exploration, and expressive language, supporting phonological awareness and confidence in speaking. Sunny's rainbow design also provides a natural stimulus for colour vocabulary, descriptive language, and conversations about diversity and belonging - making him useful across both communication and broader curriculum activities.

Why Sunny works well in schools and early years settings

• Designed to celebrate inclusivity and diversity: Sunny was created specifically as part of The Puppet Company's Rainbow Collection to celebrate inclusivity. This makes him an excellent choice for schools committed to creating welcoming, inclusive environments, and a natural resource for PSHE sessions addressing equality, difference, and belonging.
• Supports emotional wellbeing alongside communication: For children with dyslexia or other learning differences who may have experienced difficulty or frustration in educational settings, a puppet that embodies inclusivity and joy can have real emotional resonance. Sunny signals that every voice is welcome - a powerful message for communication work.
• Versatile across activities: Sunny's rainbow character works across circle time, PSHE, storytelling, literacy interventions, and speech and language support sessions without requiring specific props or themed materials.
• Outstanding eco credentials: Made from 99% recycled materials, Sunny is among the most sustainably produced puppets in the ECO Sockettes range, supporting schools and settings with strong environmental procurement policies.
• Suitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings: With an age range starting from 18 months, Sunny works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where inclusive, supportive communication environments are a priority.

At home

Sunny is just as effective at home as he is in school. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties will find that his joyful, rainbow character creates a warm and welcoming context for reading aloud, storytelling, and language activities. Children who have had difficult experiences with communication in educational settings often respond particularly well to a character that feels celebratory and inclusive rather than pressured or corrective.

Why puppets support children with learning differences

Research and classroom experience consistently show that puppets reduce anxiety around speaking and reading tasks. For children with dyslexia, the demands of reading aloud or retelling a story can feel overwhelming, particularly if past experiences have been negative. When a puppet mediates the activity, children typically find it easier to engage, take turns, and experiment with language. Sunny's inclusive design adds an additional layer of emotional warmth to this, helping children feel genuinely welcomed and valued in their communication activities rather than simply supported. His 99% recycled construction also makes him a responsible, durable choice for settings that use puppets regularly.

Ready to add Sunny to your setting?

Sunny the ECO Sockettes hand puppet is available now at The Dyslexia Shop. If you are buying for a school, nursery, or organisation and would like to discuss a bulk order, please contact the team directly.

• Part of the Rainbow Collection: Sunny was created by The Puppet Company specifically to celebrate inclusivity and diversity, making him a meaningful choice for schools and settings with a strong commitment to inclusive education.
• Made from 99% recycled materials: One of the most sustainably produced puppets in The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, supporting environmentally responsible purchasing for schools and families.
• Built-in tongue squeaker: Encourages interactive play and draws children into vocal and communication activities naturally.
• Wide expressive mouth: Supports voice exploration, sound play, and storytelling, making Sunny a practical tool for speech and language work.
• Rainbow character design: Signature rainbow colours, embroidered eyes, and a friendly, welcoming face - joyful, inclusive, and immediately engaging.
• Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Length 13cm.
• Materials: 99% recycled knitted textile fabric.
• Age suitability: Suitable for children aged 18 months and above; appropriate for adults in professional and therapeutic settings.
• What's included: 1 x Sunny ECO Sockettes hand puppet.
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU/MPN: PC007401

• What is the Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Sunny ECO Sockettes is a 38cm hand puppet from The Puppet Company's Rainbow Collection, made from 99% recycled materials. Dressed in signature rainbow colours with embroidered eyes and a friendly face, Sunny is designed to celebrate inclusivity and diversity. He features a built-in tongue squeaker and is suitable for children aged 18 months and above.
• What does Sunny represent?
  Sunny ECO Sockettes was created as part of The Puppet Company's Rainbow Collection to celebrate inclusivity and diversity. He is designed to bring joy and a sense of belonging to every setting he is used in, making him a particularly meaningful choice for schools, nurseries, and SEND settings committed to inclusive education and welcoming environments.
• How does the Sunny puppet help children with dyslexia or communication difficulties?
  The Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet helps children with dyslexia and communication difficulties by creating a warm, inclusive context for language development. His celebratory, rainbow design signals welcome and belonging, which is particularly valuable for children who have experienced anxiety or low confidence in communication settings. The wide mouth and squeaker make voice play engaging and accessible for reluctant communicators.
• What age is the Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet suitable for?
  The Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet is suitable for children aged 18 months and above. He is used by early years practitioners, Key Stage 1 teachers, and SEND support staff, and is equally appropriate for adults using Sunny in a therapeutic or professional context.
• Is the Sunny puppet suitable for classroom or school use?
  Yes, the Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet is well suited to classroom use. His rainbow design and inclusive theme make him particularly effective for PSHE sessions addressing equality, difference, and belonging, as well as circle time, storytelling, literacy interventions, and speech and language support.
• Is the Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet eco-friendly?
  Yes, Sunny is made from 99% recycled materials, placing him among the most sustainably produced puppets in The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range. He is an excellent choice for schools and settings with environmental or sustainable procurement policies.
• Can the Sunny puppet be used in speech and language therapy?
  Yes, hand puppets including Sunny ECO Sockettes are used by speech and language therapists and SENCOs to support children with communication difficulties. Sunny's inclusive, welcoming character is particularly well suited to work with children who have experienced anxiety or low confidence around speaking, providing a positive, celebratory context for communication activities.
• How big is the Sunny ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Sunny measures 38cm in height, 14cm in width, and 13cm in length. This size makes him comfortable to fit over an adult hand and visible enough for group activities and classroom use.