What do you think?
Rate this book
ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids' TV
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.
“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.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
9 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 1, 2025
You’ll remember more than you think you will (I repeatedly experienced the magic of unlocked memories I didn’t know I still had). I’d love to see more histories of Canadian children’s television from other regions. Also, Nina Keogh should rightfully be a household name, considering her enormous body of work over the decades.
February 9, 2026
A superbly presented book packed with nostalgia and history! I learned a lot about Canadian television that occurred outside of the brief window during which I was a dedicated viewer. What an interesting look behind the scenes at the influences that shaped some of our most beloved shows. The only thing that could possibly make this book more nostalgic would be a CD-ROM in a clear plastic sleeve attached to the inside of the back cover with picture and video clips from shows presented in the book. :)
One Caveat for readers: this deals with Toronto productions exclusively. While favourites like Size Small Island and Romper Room are mentioned, they were not produced in Toronto and don't feature prominently in this publication.
One Caveat for readers: this deals with Toronto productions exclusively. While favourites like Size Small Island and Romper Room are mentioned, they were not produced in Toronto and don't feature prominently in this publication.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews