Mrs Gertrude Diddle, star of television series <em>Hi Diddle Day</em> which ran on CBC from 1967-1976. Glove and rod puppet made of latex rubber, foam and fabric, height: 45 cm (18”), design and fabrication: Noreen Young. Collection: Ronnie Burkett (2008). Photo: Noreen Young
Binkley, co-star of <em>Binkley and Doinkel Safety Show</em> (early 1970s-early 1980s) and Adventures of Binkley and Doinkel (1982). Glove and rod puppet made of latex rubber and fabric, height: 30 cm (12"), design and fabrication: Noreen Young for Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada (1995). Photo: Noreen Young
Cast of television series <em>Under the Umbrella Tree</em> (1986-1993). Holly Larocque and three glove and rod puppets, Iggy, Gloria and Jacob, design and fabrication: Noreen Young. Collection: Noreen Young Productions. Photo courtesy of CBC
Sir John A, historical 2-hander puppet with life-size head made of latex rubber, foam and fabric, height: 61 cm (2'), fabrication: Noreen Young for History Channel. Collection: Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa (2002). Photo: Noreen Young
The Bus Driver, commissioned caricature puppet made of latex rubber, foam and fabric, fabrication: Noreen Young. Private Collection (2007). Photo: Noreen Young
Nick holding jester puppet (2006), body puppet made of foam rubber and fabric, height: 1.7 metres (5’7”). Mascot of Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival, design and fabrication: Noreen Young. Collection: Puppets Up!, Almonte, Ontario. Photo: Rob Riendeau

Canadian puppeteer. From puppet builder, Noreen Young developed her talents to become a performer, designer, writer, and ultimately producer. She has been involved with over one hundred separate television productions.

Noreen Young studied art at Ontario College. Her puppetry was first seen on local television in 1962, and, after 1970, her programmes were seen across Canada. Noreen Young Productions was formed in 1979. Working on a wide variety of projects, she has gathered around her a respected pool of talent. Ronnie Burkett cites Noreen Young as an important influence on his work. A master puppet builder and puppeteer, she has effectively used puppetry to educate children on such crucial issues as safety, nutrition, and environmental awareness. She delighted adults and children alike with her puppets Iggy, Jacob and Gloria in Under the Umbrella Tree (1986-1993), the popular television show she produced. With an engaging freshness, she has continued to produce high quality, family-oriented programmes.

In 1995, Noreen Young was awarded the Order of Canada. In 2005, she founded Puppets Up!, an international puppet festival held in Almonte, Ontario, presenting troupes from countries including Brazil, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

(See Canada.)