I tried listening to the audio-book, and after a few chapters I was just bored. So I gave up.

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 A very enjoyable book, if a little out of date (some of the muppeteers have passed away or left since this writing).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!
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A wonderful "coffee table" book released in Fall 2009 to coincide with Sesame Street's 40th birthday. But given the copious amount of fascinating content, it does not simply sit & collect dust!

I was the first generation of SS viewers & remember so many episodes to this day. One great example is the coverage of Mr. Hooper's death when the actor who portrayed him actually died. Reading about it after all these years brought tears to my eyes. This book is a great compilation of "old school" vintage Sesame Street. Great background information on cast, puppeteers (Muppeteers?!!), etc. The artifacts presented such as scripts, plans, drawings, etc. enhance the content. Even my sister, who does not typically enjoy pleasure-reading (gasp!), adores this book & displays it proudly in her living room. ( )

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. ( )

At forty years, Sesame Street is the longest running children's television show. It's now seen in 120 countries. I was already in school when it first aired, but remember sitting with my little sister and watching it with her when I got home. And then twenty years later, watching it with my children. The theme song is still easily recalled: " Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away...."

The show is iconic and the book is amazing. It's a wonderfully heavy coffee table book. Glossy stock and over 1500 colour photographs. But it's the stories within that make it such a keeper. Founder Joan Ganz Cooney realized that television could be educational as well as entertaining and broke new ground in broadcasting that has both matched the test of time and stayed two steps ahead, always finding new ways to teach and reach children.

I loved the behind the scenes stuff - how and who is behind and in and under those Muppets? The set itself and the changes it's undergone. Scripts are reproduced, songs, anecdotes, art and oh, so much more. The 'real' folks that appeared are featured as well, as are the celebrities who did guest appearances.

I had such fun, enjoying every page - and it's not a book to be rushed through - there is so much to take in and relish.

And if that wasn't enough, there's a bonus DVD included, featuring clips and moments from the show. I remembered so many of them!! I was singing along to "Who are the people in your neighbourhood?", "One of these things is not like the others..." and a few more! ( )