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Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street
The most beloved children's show of all time is turning 40! This celebration of four decades of groundbreaking educational programming invites fans young and old behind the scenes at 123 Sesame Street.
In a book as lively, energetic, and appealing as the television show it chronicles, readers are treated to an inside look at every aspect of Sesame Street. Beginning with the initial idea for the show and the creation of the pilot episode and moving through its evolution over four decades, Sesame Street provides an insider's view of all of the delightful Muppet and human characters, as well as the writers, directors, producers, and all the other creative people who continue to make learning fun for generations of kids.
Step behind the scenes and learn how the Muppets are built, how they move, how they speak, and what they think and feel. Did you ever wonder what Big Bird looked like in the first season of the show? Would you like to see the puppeteers behind (and under!) the set performing their roles? How about a picture of Bert being built? All of that and more, including facsimiles of the show's pioneering scripts and some of Jim Henson's original sketches, are included in this revelatory and adoring celebration. The 1,500 photographs?both in front of and behind the camera?come directly from the archives of the Sesame Workshop, and many of them have never before been published.
For everyone who fondly remembers learning the alphabet and numbers from Sesame Street, for parents and grandparents of today's Sesame Street kids, and for avid fans and collectors of everything Sesame, this gorgeous book makes a gift to be treasured.
In a book as lively, energetic, and appealing as the television show it chronicles, readers are treated to an inside look at every aspect of Sesame Street. Beginning with the initial idea for the show and the creation of the pilot episode and moving through its evolution over four decades, Sesame Street provides an insider's view of all of the delightful Muppet and human characters, as well as the writers, directors, producers, and all the other creative people who continue to make learning fun for generations of kids.
Step behind the scenes and learn how the Muppets are built, how they move, how they speak, and what they think and feel. Did you ever wonder what Big Bird looked like in the first season of the show? Would you like to see the puppeteers behind (and under!) the set performing their roles? How about a picture of Bert being built? All of that and more, including facsimiles of the show's pioneering scripts and some of Jim Henson's original sketches, are included in this revelatory and adoring celebration. The 1,500 photographs?both in front of and behind the camera?come directly from the archives of the Sesame Workshop, and many of them have never before been published.
For everyone who fondly remembers learning the alphabet and numbers from Sesame Street, for parents and grandparents of today's Sesame Street kids, and for avid fans and collectors of everything Sesame, this gorgeous book makes a gift to be treasured.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 15, 2010
As a loyal (OK, maybe obsessive) Sesame Street watcher back in the early-mid 1980's, this book was the equivalent of a literary chocolate chip cookies. Each picture or mention of a beloved character or animation brought back vivid and comforting memories. The format was interesting, connecting the shows being filmed today with the origins of the show and how the cycle of education and entertainment continues today. This book could be read (as I did) slowly, savoring each detail and caption. It could be equally enjoyed as a coffee table book for guests to flip through and enjoy the several hundred photographs. Recommended to Muppet lovers/educational tv lovers of all ages.
November 13, 2009
I picked up this big heavy glossy thing just to leaf through it. I have, after all, read Street Gang, the prose history of SS that came out last year, and it was fascinating. I didn't realize I needed more history, more pictures, more anecdotes, more accounts of the research, execution, and outreach involved in putting James Earl Jones expressively reading the alphabet on TV.
But I could not put it down. When Mr. Hooper died, when Jim Henson died, and in the sections detailing the Sesame Street international efforts and materials for military families, I sniffled. When I read about the jokey on-set atmosphere, I chuckled. And I was amazed that for every celebrity that I know about who has appeared on Sesame Street, there's another twenty I'd somehow managed to miss.
Colorful and engaging to the eye, too.
But I could not put it down. When Mr. Hooper died, when Jim Henson died, and in the sections detailing the Sesame Street international efforts and materials for military families, I sniffled. When I read about the jokey on-set atmosphere, I chuckled. And I was amazed that for every celebrity that I know about who has appeared on Sesame Street, there's another twenty I'd somehow managed to miss.
Colorful and engaging to the eye, too.
February 18, 2019
Reading this book ten years after the fact, it makes me curious about what the 50th anniversary celebration will look like 😊
This is truly a celebration of the series and all of the good work that has been done since its inception in 1969. I was impressed and fascinated to read about the outreach projects, then and now, and how the Workshop has continued with their goal of teaching & supporting children and families in all kinds of situations. Did you know there was a prison program? Wow!
I had to knock off a star for the continuous gushing and the way the book glossed over the controversy in its wake (like Roosevelt Franklin, and the death of Northern Calloway). There is also a LOT of Kevin Clash all over this book, which did not age well at all 😒
All in all, though, I'd recommend to fellow Sesame Street nostalgia fans. Great resources for exploring the fandom, too!
This is truly a celebration of the series and all of the good work that has been done since its inception in 1969. I was impressed and fascinated to read about the outreach projects, then and now, and how the Workshop has continued with their goal of teaching & supporting children and families in all kinds of situations. Did you know there was a prison program? Wow!
I had to knock off a star for the continuous gushing and the way the book glossed over the controversy in its wake (like Roosevelt Franklin, and the death of Northern Calloway). There is also a LOT of Kevin Clash all over this book, which did not age well at all 😒
All in all, though, I'd recommend to fellow Sesame Street nostalgia fans. Great resources for exploring the fandom, too!
September 25, 2022
A very text heavy coffee table book that's why it took me longer than usual to finish reading.
Learned a lot about Sesame Street.
A must have for every Sesame Street fan!
Your shelves would indeed have a sunny day with this book!
Learned a lot about Sesame Street.
A must have for every Sesame Street fan!
Your shelves would indeed have a sunny day with this book!
October 18, 2017
Great book. Read it when it first came out. Loved the Street as a kid especially Grover, Cookie Monster and Bert. Favourite song and video was Fat Cat Sat. Best skits were Muppet News Flashes.
January 19, 2010
How could I not give this book five stars? As contributing editor, I was one of a team who put this baby to bed after almost three years of blood, sweat and many, many sleepless nights and we are all as hopelessly in love as any parent might be, not least because, for many of us on the editorial team, Sesame Street was so much a part of our own happy childhood memories.
Being behind the scenes of the show for so long, both author Louise Gikow and I have enormous respect for the creative maelstrom that is usually hidden from your view but which routinely swirls around the familiar faces you see on Sesame Street every day. We both hope you feel we've captured a little of that daily excitement, that we invite you to stand just to the side of the camera as it focuses on the street through the rare images we uncovered and in the glimpses at the people and documents that you know so well or that helped to shape the show. We'll certainly be reading these reviews avidly to see how we can make the second edition even better.
I can tell you that it was inconceivably difficult to make many of the choices for this book, one reason why we are very interested in readers' takes on the final result of those decisions. Sesame's history is so rich and multi-layered — covering as it does themes of media culture, popular culture, education and equity in an ever-evolving world, global policy, urban environment, birth, death, where your taxes go and, naturally, loveable and furry Muppets — it is a daunting task to tackle that story. And after years of digging, the thousands of photos we eventually discovered were likewise so compelling. After a time, it became physically painful to make the final selections about what went into the book...and what did not. There are dozens of remarkable people and stories associated with this forty-year experiment in teaching children with laughter.
We also hope it's an informative and engrossing book for all those interested in developing television and other media themselves, as it presents a kind of blueprint for the production of innovative and even revolutionary content in what, at the time, was a very new and controversial media itself.
Please keep letting us know here what you think of what you read.
Being behind the scenes of the show for so long, both author Louise Gikow and I have enormous respect for the creative maelstrom that is usually hidden from your view but which routinely swirls around the familiar faces you see on Sesame Street every day. We both hope you feel we've captured a little of that daily excitement, that we invite you to stand just to the side of the camera as it focuses on the street through the rare images we uncovered and in the glimpses at the people and documents that you know so well or that helped to shape the show. We'll certainly be reading these reviews avidly to see how we can make the second edition even better.
I can tell you that it was inconceivably difficult to make many of the choices for this book, one reason why we are very interested in readers' takes on the final result of those decisions. Sesame's history is so rich and multi-layered — covering as it does themes of media culture, popular culture, education and equity in an ever-evolving world, global policy, urban environment, birth, death, where your taxes go and, naturally, loveable and furry Muppets — it is a daunting task to tackle that story. And after years of digging, the thousands of photos we eventually discovered were likewise so compelling. After a time, it became physically painful to make the final selections about what went into the book...and what did not. There are dozens of remarkable people and stories associated with this forty-year experiment in teaching children with laughter.
We also hope it's an informative and engrossing book for all those interested in developing television and other media themselves, as it presents a kind of blueprint for the production of innovative and even revolutionary content in what, at the time, was a very new and controversial media itself.
Please keep letting us know here what you think of what you read.
September 5, 2012
Back when Sesame Street celebrated it's 40th anniversary I made a comment that it is probably the most culturally significant thing to come out of television...ever. After reading this book, I can say with no shred of doubt that my statement is 100% true.
I'd always been aware that the Street had made its way into other countries but I had no idea to the extent and what the Workshop has done for countries across the globe, not to mention the children in those countries.
In addition to the mind blowing section about the world impact, there's sections on the people in front of, behind and in some cases, below, the cameras. Also talked about are the animated bits that will probably jog more than a few fond memories. There are also sections about the losses of Will Lee (Mr Hooper) and Jim Henson which are very touching.
I imagine the book will read different, depending on what generation the reader grew up with. Being of the first generation of toddlers to see the show, it was like catching up with old friends and meeting lots of new ones. Younger readers may find it interesting seeing the original cast and how things evolved up to the characters they know. There's a lot jammed in here so it's not extremely detailed in any one area but gives a broad overview of all aspects of the show.
If you're remotely on the fence about this book, you should absolutely get it. I think even casual fans will find a lot to like in here...and I haven't even watched the DVD that comes with it yet.
And I almost forgot to mention the amazing photos packed into the book. I can all but promise after reading this book, you'll look at Sesame Street with an even greater appreciation.
I'd always been aware that the Street had made its way into other countries but I had no idea to the extent and what the Workshop has done for countries across the globe, not to mention the children in those countries.
In addition to the mind blowing section about the world impact, there's sections on the people in front of, behind and in some cases, below, the cameras. Also talked about are the animated bits that will probably jog more than a few fond memories. There are also sections about the losses of Will Lee (Mr Hooper) and Jim Henson which are very touching.
I imagine the book will read different, depending on what generation the reader grew up with. Being of the first generation of toddlers to see the show, it was like catching up with old friends and meeting lots of new ones. Younger readers may find it interesting seeing the original cast and how things evolved up to the characters they know. There's a lot jammed in here so it's not extremely detailed in any one area but gives a broad overview of all aspects of the show.
If you're remotely on the fence about this book, you should absolutely get it. I think even casual fans will find a lot to like in here...and I haven't even watched the DVD that comes with it yet.
And I almost forgot to mention the amazing photos packed into the book. I can all but promise after reading this book, you'll look at Sesame Street with an even greater appreciation.
February 14, 2014
Sesame Street: A Celebration of Forty Years of Life on the Street by Louise A. Gikow
303 pages
★★★★★ + ♥
In 1969, a couple people had the idea to make an education television show in a time when there weren’t many education shows or many televisions stations out there. They expected a good 2 year run, maybe a bit more if they could find the funding. Never in their wildest dreams did they think their idea, Sesame Street, turn into a beloved show that is now in its 45th season (it was in its 40th when this book was written)!
This is a tabletop type book. It is big, heavy, and clunky – so it’s not exactly a book you want to tote all over town with you. But regardless of this, I really loved this book. The book goes into the history of the show, and I mean every little bit. It talks about its creation, its funding, its outreach programs, its muppets and muppeteers, it talks about the creators of the muppets (of course there is plenty on Jim Henson and Frank Oz!), its research, and much, much more. And on top of that, each page is filled with pictures a lot of them. This book took me longer to get through than I expect, only because I spent so much time going through all the wonderful pictures and facts. This is the first 5 star book for me in 2014, and it deserves it all the way. A very enjoyable book, if a little out of date (some of the muppeteers have passed away or left since this writing). And an added bonus? The book comes with a DVD with the very first aired episode of Sesame Street from 1969!
303 pages
★★★★★ + ♥
In 1969, a couple people had the idea to make an education television show in a time when there weren’t many education shows or many televisions stations out there. They expected a good 2 year run, maybe a bit more if they could find the funding. Never in their wildest dreams did they think their idea, Sesame Street, turn into a beloved show that is now in its 45th season (it was in its 40th when this book was written)!
This is a tabletop type book. It is big, heavy, and clunky – so it’s not exactly a book you want to tote all over town with you. But regardless of this, I really loved this book. The book goes into the history of the show, and I mean every little bit. It talks about its creation, its funding, its outreach programs, its muppets and muppeteers, it talks about the creators of the muppets (of course there is plenty on Jim Henson and Frank Oz!), its research, and much, much more. And on top of that, each page is filled with pictures a lot of them. This book took me longer to get through than I expect, only because I spent so much time going through all the wonderful pictures and facts. This is the first 5 star book for me in 2014, and it deserves it all the way. A very enjoyable book, if a little out of date (some of the muppeteers have passed away or left since this writing). And an added bonus? The book comes with a DVD with the very first aired episode of Sesame Street from 1969!
July 30, 2016
This is part coffee table book, and part in-depth history of Sesame Street. The book is HUGE, the pages are glossy, and there are LOTS of brilliant-color photographs of Muppets, performers, more Muppets, guest stars, behind-the-scenes, Muppets, scripts, storyboards, lyric sheets, and Muppets. And more Muppets. Did I mention Muppets? Muppets.
Muppets, Muppets, Muppets.
Aaaaaand Muppets.
There are a lot of good details about how Sesame Street got started, and all of the testing they did leading up to the show, and even once the show debuted. There are also sections on the puppeteers, the Muppets (Muppets!), and human cast; the different versions in other countries; Sesame Street's outreach efforts, including after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and for military families; the animations and short films; and musical guests.
This is a great book for different audiences, too: if you're a fan of the Street, you want to read this because it has so many great stories about different aspects of the show, and brings you a TON of memories about growing up (I can't stop singing the theme song, or even the "Elmo's World" song, and I'm too old for "Elmo's World"!); if you have merely a casual interest in the show, the pages actually have very little text (LOTS of pictures!), so it can be a quick read, but they give a nice overview of the show and its history. Something for everyone!
And Muppets!
Muppets, Muppets, Muppets.
Aaaaaand Muppets.
There are a lot of good details about how Sesame Street got started, and all of the testing they did leading up to the show, and even once the show debuted. There are also sections on the puppeteers, the Muppets (Muppets!), and human cast; the different versions in other countries; Sesame Street's outreach efforts, including after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and for military families; the animations and short films; and musical guests.
This is a great book for different audiences, too: if you're a fan of the Street, you want to read this because it has so many great stories about different aspects of the show, and brings you a TON of memories about growing up (I can't stop singing the theme song, or even the "Elmo's World" song, and I'm too old for "Elmo's World"!); if you have merely a casual interest in the show, the pages actually have very little text (LOTS of pictures!), so it can be a quick read, but they give a nice overview of the show and its history. Something for everyone!
And Muppets!
January 26, 2012
This appears to be from the same public relations outfit as the Borgenicht book. In other words, the Sesame Workshop. The one where David (Northern Calloway) died of stomach cancer and Richard Hunt died, but not of AIDS. It's a lot more informational than the Borgenicht book and is more readable than the Michael Davis book, which covers the history of the development of Sesame Street but very little of the show itself. This one has lots of words and lots of pictures and is coffee-table sized. A few things that bug me with it are that the pages are really shiny and reflect the light (galling in places of white font on black background) and that some of the dates of events (or people being on the cast or appearing on the show) are incorrect. Also some of the pictures are incorrectly captioned or not captioned at all. Aside from those issues this is the best Sesame Street history book I've read so far, and it is current up to 2009, though I can't say much for the accuracy of much of the past 20 years, since I quit watching it until just a couple months ago.
June 1, 2012
Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street
Louise A Gikow
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
2009
Sesame Street is only two years older than me and I grew up with Sesame Street. I learned my letters and numbers (in English and Spanish) from watching Sesame Street. I learned about the importance of cooperation from Sesame Street. I had one of my first crushes on the Character, David. I cried when I heard that Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper, died. I was 11 when the episode about his death aired, and our whole family watched it. So it is no surprise, at least to those that know me, that when I saw this huge book on the discount shelf I bought it.
This is a gorgeous coffee table book. Chock full of so many, stories, facts, images, and remembrances that it took me 6 months to make my way through it, reading a few pages a day, for a total of 304 pages.
This is a fantastic and informative read and a must have for any die hard fan of Sesame Street.
4 stars.
Louise A Gikow
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
2009
Sesame Street is only two years older than me and I grew up with Sesame Street. I learned my letters and numbers (in English and Spanish) from watching Sesame Street. I learned about the importance of cooperation from Sesame Street. I had one of my first crushes on the Character, David. I cried when I heard that Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper, died. I was 11 when the episode about his death aired, and our whole family watched it. So it is no surprise, at least to those that know me, that when I saw this huge book on the discount shelf I bought it.
This is a gorgeous coffee table book. Chock full of so many, stories, facts, images, and remembrances that it took me 6 months to make my way through it, reading a few pages a day, for a total of 304 pages.
This is a fantastic and informative read and a must have for any die hard fan of Sesame Street.
4 stars.
January 19, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this behind-the-scenes look at the life of Sesame Street. Densely packed with information about every facet of the program from its founding (including lots of academic research to direct it--I love this as an educator), characters, puppeteers and puppeteering techniques, and bios of past and present human stars, this was a treat to dig into every time I picked it up to continue my journey through the years. Everyone will be reminded of old familiar songs and letter or number "advertisements" from their childhood--friends and family who peeked over my shoulder exclaimed, "Oh! I remember that!" It was a joyful revisiting of my childhood (I was two when Sesame Street began airing) and the people--and puppets--I met along the way. May it run another 40 years!
November 20, 2009
I could not resist this book! Anyone who grew up with the Street gang will appreciate absolutely everything it offers; from the familiar (what's the name of that little red monster again?) to the lesser known aspects of Sesame Street (Sesame Street in prison? whoa). I have not gotten through the entire book in-depth, but so far my favorite quote belongs to Bob McGrath: "People always ask me, 'Are you really as good friends as you appear on the show?' And I say, 'Absolutely.' It's quite amazing, actually." Which for me, just reinforces the idea that the sun really does always shine on this wonderful children's program. Where would we be without it?
June 20, 2014
I love Sesame Street! I really like watching it with my daughter, but I like the behind the scenes stuff even more. This book gave me almost everything I wanted--history, cast and crew profiles, TONS of behind the scenes pictures (but never enough!), technical details, celebrity guest information, concepts, etc. It's a coffee table book, but I worked my biceps and would read it in bed because it was so fun. The pictures are great and the trivia is consistently fascinating. I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt that the last 15 pages or so were not as captivating as the rest of the book, but the beginning of the book is perfect for any fan who wants a good overview of all things Sesame.
July 3, 2011
If you love Sesame Street, pick up this book. It is full of stories and images that give you an inside look on how this show came about. I had always thought it was the brain child of Jim Henson. But this isn't so. Read about the revolutionary work this show has done and how much it has changed children's programming.
I mainly enjoyed the "flashbacks" to old animated shorts, trivia, songs, guest stars and my favorite Muppets. Each character has its own back story as well as the muppeteers who bring them to life.
I mainly enjoyed the "flashbacks" to old animated shorts, trivia, songs, guest stars and my favorite Muppets. Each character has its own back story as well as the muppeteers who bring them to life.
December 5, 2016
A serious in-depth look at the history of Sesame Street, focusing on the people involved in the show over the years. This isn't just about how the show developed and changed, although that's part of it, but how the people involved influenced the path of children's television. The book includes multiple short biographies of actors, developers, and other behind-the-scenes participants. Heavily illustrated with photos. Not a book to read through as a narrative but one to flip through parts of as the whim takes you.
January 28, 2010
This is the definitive coffee table book and book about Sesame Street! It is HUGE and chock full of never-before-seen pictures as well as stories and anecdotes from behind the scenes. And if all that isn't enough, it comes with a preview DVD of the 40th anniversary DVD set that is available for purchase.
December 25, 2009
There is an absurd amount of information in this book. If you're interested in the history and process of Sesame Street as a production, you'll want this. Countless behind the scenes photos, script and storyboard excerpts, sheet music, individual puppeteer profiles...it's all in here.
February 8, 2010
What a lovely book. Not for children, but a lavish tale with gorgeous pictures of the history of Sesame Street and where it is today. I didn't realise half the things they did!
A great trip down memory lane- Teeny Little Super Guy, Muppets and all my favourite characters.
A great trip down memory lane- Teeny Little Super Guy, Muppets and all my favourite characters.
July 18, 2011
I found this at the library and decided to just check it out. Natalie has loved saying that it is Mommy's BIG book, which it is quite massive, but it is fun to read and see behind the scenes pictures and stories.
March 10, 2012
This book was a fun one to have sitting on the counter and peruse a few pages each night. I loved Sesame Street growing up and so much of the book was a walk down memory lane. If you were a PBS kid growing up, you'll probably enjoy checking this book out.
April 22, 2012
As someone who grew up watching Sesame Street, it was great to revisit the past. I found myself wanting to go back and watch old episodes. I learned so much that I took for granted as a child. I love Sesame Street!
January 12, 2010
Awesome. It was what I expected from the Street Gang book that came out last year. Wonderful pictures, great behind-the-scenes details, and a preface done by both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.
March 8, 2011
Huge book with fantastic pictures. I loved looking at all of the pictures and reading about the history of my favorite show. I would recommend this for any lover of Sesame Street.
Want to read
February 11, 2010A Christmas gift from my husband (after I sent him out for it). He's so thoughtful.
September 8, 2010
Great fan book with lots of pictures, back-lot stories and trivia.
July 28, 2010
What can I say, I huge fan of the street!
March 1, 2011
I'm sick in bed on a school day. This is the equivalent of a good bowl of soup.
Read
February 6, 2013I remember Roosevelt Franklin as a tiny tot back in the day.
May 1, 2015
nice sesame street book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews