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Sunny Days
Sunny Days: The Children's Television Revolution That Changed America | David Kamp
6 posts | 6 read | 6 to read
From bestselling writer David Kamp, the engrossing, behind-the-scenes story of the cultural heroes who created the beloved childrens TV programs Sesame Street, The Electric Company, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Free to Be...You and Me, and Schoolhouse Rock!which collectively transformed American childhood for the better, teaching kids about diversity, the ABCs, and feminism through a fun, funky 1970s lens. In 1970, on a soundstage on Manhattans Upper West Side, a group of men, women, and Muppets of various ages and colors worked doggedly to finish the first season of a childrens TV program that was not yet assured a second season: Sesame Street. They were conducting an experiment to see if television could be used to better prepare disadvantaged preschoolers for kindergarten. What they didnt know then was that they were starting a cultural revolution that would affect all American kids. In Sunny Days, bestselling author David Kamp captures the unique political and social moment that gave us not only Sesame Street, but also Fred Rogerss gentle yet brave Mister Rogers Neighborhood; Marlo Thomass unabashed gender-politics primer Free to Be...You and Me; Schoolhouse Rock!, an infectious series of educational shorts dreamed up by Madison Avenue admen; and more, including The Electric Company, ZOOM, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. It was a unique time when an uncommon number of media professionals and thought leaders leveraged their influence to help children learnand, just as notably, a time of unprecedented buy-in from American parents. Kamp conducted rigorous research and interviewed such Sesame Street figures as Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett, Sonia Manzano, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Bob McGrath, and Frank Oz, along with Free to Bes Marlo Thomas and The Electric Companys Rita Morenoand in Sunny Days, he explains how these and other like-minded individuals found their way into childrens television not for fame or money, but to make a difference. Fun, fascinating, and a masterful work of cultural history, Sunny Days captures a wondrous period in the US when a determined few proved that, with persistence and effort, they could change the lives of millions. Its both a rollicking ride through a turbulent time and a joyful testament to what Americans are capable of at their best.
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Kshakal
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It is going to be 75 degrees today so I am taking full advantage and busting out the sandals again!!

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Sharpeipup
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How perfect I started this on National Grouch Day?

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JoyBlue
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Pickpick
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shaynarae
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Pickpick

A very well done and incredibly informative book on the development of early child education television in the late 60s/early 70s that have been beloved for generations. Without focusing solely on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood or Sesame Street or Jim Henson, it takes into account a multitude of successful programs and how they came to be. This book was a delight to listen to and reminded me how grateful I am to have grown up with these programs.

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VioletBramble
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Pickpick

In June I read ( well, listened to)!this non-fiction book about the children‘s television revolution of the early 1970s. Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Zoom are amongst the shows discussed. I also learned about Ursula Nordstrom, the Children‘s book editor and publisher responsible for Harriet the Spy, Charlotte‘s Web, Stuart Little, Where the Wild Things Are, and other great children‘s books.

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nitalibrarian
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One of my favorite jobs at the library is picking out the books to order for our collection. I'm the Adult Services Librarian, so I'm in charge of ordering all the adult books, fiction and non-fiction.

Today I'm reading review journals and listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. 📚❤️

zembla This is one of my favorite parts of the job too! 4y
Tracyantoon So jealous you get paid for that!! #dreamjob 4y
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