What's for dinner? Just ask Chef Alfredo 'Al' Dente for the special of the day! Use one hand to manipulate the puppet's mouth and facial expressions while gesturing with the removable wooden rod with the other. Detachable rod is suitable for lefties or righties! It is made from material that's both durable and incredibly soft to the touch. This quality construction and a strong interior structure for the head mean it will hold up to years of creative puppet play. The classic white chef's hat is made to stay put on the expressive, mustachioed Al Dente, while the detailed white chef's coat and red bandanna have self-stick tabs and are removable and machine-washable. Puppet play inspires countless creative stories and amazing imaginary adventures. It's terrific for self-confidence and also an invaluable booster for motor skills, hand-eye coordination, communication skills, parent-child bonding, and so much more! A removable hand rod attaches to either hand of the puppet, making it simple for both left-handed and right-handed puppeteers to practice and develop their story-telling skills. This versatile classic puppet is appropriate for puppeteers of varying skill levels and helps develop narrative and creative thinking. The Chef Puppet with Detachable Wooden Rod makes a great gift for kids ages 3 and up. Add the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater to round out the hands-on, screen-free puppet play experience. For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News called “the gold standard in early childhood play.” Today, Melissa & Doug is proudly partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics to foster early brain development and help children build important life skills through play.