Imagination - by Ed Conroy (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A nostalgic look back at fifty years of children's television from the beloved -- Polka Dot Door, Mr. Dressup, Today's Special -- to the bizarre -- Kiddo the Clown, Coming Up Rosie, Maniac Mansion.

"ImagiNation took me down memory lane, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the shows that coloured my world when I was a kid." -- Erica Ehm, former MuchMusic VJ

From the time CBC sputtered onto screens in 1952, children's television has been at the centre of Canada's cultural output. The country's first television host was an ornery puppet named Chichimus, who set the stage for future Toronto-based puppeteers, producers, directors, and actors to make children's television their own. With the studios of CBC, TVOntario, CFTO, and eventually YTV all located in Toronto, the city's televisual output was staggering and fed by the imagination and hard work of the local talent.

Featuring over one hundred children's programs broadcast between 1950 and 2000, ImagiNation is a memory-filled trip for anyone who spent their weekdays after school or Saturday mornings staring at the idiot box. The story of each Toronto-produced series is covered -- from inception through production to broadcast -- along with the tales of local stations and the people who made it all happen.

Fans of The Friendly Giant, Degrassi Junior High, Readalong, YTV, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Agnes, and much more will find their favourites -- plus shows they've forgotten they loved (or loathed). Whether you adored Pearl Van Oyster, Hammy Hamster, the Fraggles, or the Grogs, ImagiNation is a trip you won't want to miss.

Review Quotes

ImagiNation is full of sumptuous detail, important history, and honours the people who created those programs. For me, it was The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, Razzle Dazzle, and The Forest Rangers. For you, it will be a half-dozen other amazing programs. Lucky for us, Canada was particularly good at making kids' shows. And lucky for us, Ed has gathered them all up and preserved them in this book.-- "Terry O'Reilly, host of CBC's Under the Influence"

ImagiNation took me down memory lane, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the shows that coloured my world when I was a kid.-- "Erica Ehm, former MuchMusic VJ"

A much-needed compendium of the history of Canadian television. Coming from an era where we threw out tapes regularly, I'm thankful for Ed Conroy and Retrontario for creating such a rich archive for us to enjoy.-- "Phil Guerrero (a.k.a. PJ Fresh Phil), former host of YTV's The Zone"

Ed Conroy ... has lovingly produced the definitive history of kids' TV programs to date.... For this book, through his love of the genre and extensive research, he has unearthed numerous kids' TV shows, many of which are deeply etched in the hearts and souls of our inner child.... So if you're like me, and you believe that children's programming is important to our culture or if you're just feeling downright nostalgic, read this wonderful book!-- "Nina Keogh, TV history consultant and puppeteer"

Ed Conroy is a preeminent cultural historian, archivist, and vintage video sleuth.-- "Moses Znaimer, co-founder of CityTV"

I don't know anyone who cares more and has done more to preserve the history of children's television in Canada than Ed Conroy. And I don't know where we'd be without him.... He does it because he cares about preserving the legacy of so many talented people, who have created so many wonderful memories through time.-- "Steve Paikin, former host of TVO's The Agenda"

Like an autograph from a childhood hero, the book should trigger happy memories for all children of Toronto television.-- "Richard Crouse, film critic"

About the Author

Ed Conroy is a cultural historian, writer, producer, archivist, and vintage video sleuth. He is the founder of Retrontario.com and his writing on Canadian pop culture and history has appeared in the Toronto Star, Toronto Life, and blogTO. He has appeared on CTV, TVOntario, CBC TV & Radio, Zoomer TV & Radio, and is a regular guest on Newstalk 1010. Ed currently lives in Port Perry, Ontario.