In 2023, Central Florida Lifestyle introduced readers to ventriloquist and author Jimmy Vee and his unique approach to helping children find their voices through puppetry. Since then, Vee’s work has expanded beyond ventriloquism, with a growing collection of children’s books and a renewed focus on literacy.
When Vee first spoke with CFL, he had recently released How to Make Your Sock Talk: A Beginner’s Guide to Ventriloquism, a children’s nonfiction picture book designed to introduce young readers to the art of ventriloquism while building confidence and self-expression.
Three years later, Vee has gone from five published books to eight and has reached a much larger audience through SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online.
In February, Storyline Online released a reading of Vee’s picture book Professor Nincompoop, narrated by actor Bryan Cranston, known for his role in Breaking Bad. The reading has since surpassed 1 million views and received Storyline Online’s Kids’ Top Pick seal.
On Sept. 8, International Literacy Day, Storyline Online released actor Adam Brody’s reading of Vee’s latest book, Petey Perfectpants and the Silly Sock Puppet Problem. The book marks another connection between Vee’s two longtime passions: entertaining children and using puppets to encourage creativity and self-expression.
Vee is currently the only self-published author with two books in Storyline Online’s library, which features more than 100 titles read by actors and other notable performers.
From Ventriloquism to Literacy
Vee’s interest in puppetry began when he was eight years old, and his grandmother gave him his first puppet. Over the decades since, ventriloquism has taken him from birthday parties and community events to corporate events, trade shows and comedy clubs. His collection of ventriloquist figures has also grown to more than 100.
But for Vee, puppetry has always been about more than performing.
In his original conversation with CFL, he explained how putting a puppet in a child’s hands can sometimes make it easier for them to express themselves.
“So, I found over the years that when you put a puppet in your hand, whether that be you as an adult or a child, you can express yourself in a way that you don’t feel like you’re able to when you’re just saying it yourself,” Vee said.
He recalled seeing shy children become more comfortable communicating once they had a puppet serving as a character through which they could speak.
That idea has continued to influence his work, but Vee’s focus has expanded. Today, he has reorganized his nonprofit to bring together literacy and ventriloquism, two areas he believes can work naturally together.
After 30 years of performing for children, Vee said he has spent considerable time figuring out what encourages young children to become readers.
His answer is simple: funny books that are read aloud — and an adult who is genuinely enjoying the experience, too.
Making Reading Fun
Vee’s approach to children’s books draws on the same instincts that have shaped his career as a performer. Rather than treating reading as a chore, he wants children to associate books with humor, entertainment, and shared experiences.
That philosophy is reflected in titles such as Professor Nincompoop and Petey Perfectpants and the Silly Sock Puppet Problem, which combine playful storytelling with the kind of humor that can engage young listeners.
The Storyline Online readings have also introduced Vee’s work to audiences beyond those who may already be familiar with ventriloquism.
The platform, operated by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, features professional actors reading children’s books aloud. Having Bryan Cranston and Adam Brody bring Vee’s stories to life has provided another way for families and educators to experience his work.
Vee’s latest books build on the same creative philosophy behind How to Make Your Sock Talk: give children something entertaining, interactive, and approachable, and they may be more willing to explore something new.
A Career Built Around Connection
Vee remains involved in the ventriloquism community as the founder of the Florida Ventriloquist Association, assistant director for the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist Convention, and a member of the board of advisors for the Vent Haven Museum, which is dedicated to the history and art of ventriloquism.
His work also continues to connect generations of performers and audiences with an art form that is often introduced to children simply as entertainment but can become a creative outlet of its own.
For Vee, that connection between puppetry, storytelling and self-expression remains at the heart of his work.
His collection of puppets may have started with one gift from his grandmother, but his work has grown into something much larger, helping children discover the confidence to speak, laugh, create and, perhaps most importantly, enjoy a good story.
To learn more about Jimmy Vee and his books, visit www.fivefoothighguy.com and www.socktalkbook.com.
Watch the whole interview on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/QCywj1NmbHQ
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