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Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History
It’s been over thirty-five years since the irrepressible Fraggles first hit the screen in the beloved children’s television hit Fraggle Rock. Created by the legendary Jim Henson, along with Michael K. Frith, Jerry Juhl, Duncan Kenworthy, and Jocelyn Stevenson, Fraggle Rock remains a favorite of fans to this day. This delightful volume tells the incredible story of the bighearted show that helped instill open-minded values in a whole generation of viewers. Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History follows the show’s creation, from early concepts to the incredible puppetry that brought the unforgettable characters, such as Gobo, Red, and Mokey, to life. Exclusive interviews with Stevenson, Frith, Kenworthy, and several other major contributors reveal fascinating, exclusive insights that take the reader further into Jim Henson’s world than ever before. Featuring a wealth of rare concept art and behind-the-scenes photographs from the archives of The Jim Henson Company, Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History is the definitive look at one of the best-loved television shows of all time.
- GenresNonfictionArtHistory
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 20, 2023
As Frith recalls, what moved him the most about the experience was the number of children and parents who came up to him and talked about how the show was a comforting escape from our sometimes scary world: "Within Fraggle Rock, they felt safe. They felt excited. They felt accepted."
When I went to my first Comic Con a few years back, I was very nervous because I was on my own and I have anxiety. In order to potentially alleviate my stress I brought along my plush Fraggle, Uncle Travelling Matt, given to me by my older brother the year before. I had him sticking out of my handbag, taking in the sites and sounds. Having him with me certainly helped, but what surprised me most was how many people stopped to tell me how much they loved him and Fraggle Rock in general. He was a great ice-breaker!
My childhood was not always pleasant, but the Fraggles were always there, as the series started when I was four years old. I always knew they were special to me, and this wonderful book has explained to my adult self what was so magical about the series. The ethos of compassion, understanding, and dealing with serious topics in a kind, gentle way is the sort of thing we're currently missing with a lot of children's media today. It started with Jim Henson and his entire cast and crew, where cooperation was key, and the best ideas always won -- whether the idea came from him or the guy handing out coffee.
This beautifully constructed book tells the story of Fraggle Rock from its inception to its most recent incarnation during the Covid Lockdown, with photos, original concept art, and even photocopies of original documents, scripts and letters -- many of which have the handwritten corrections and comments of those involved! I especially enjoyed all the technical aspects of creating the Muppets -- Fraggle, Gorg, and Doozer -- the sets, and the music. What surprised me most was finding out how the wrap-around world of Doc, Sprocket, and Uncle Matt were different, depending on which country was airing the series. It was a truly international effort, the logistics of which were incredible! But it was certainly worth the four years of magic we received in the original series.
Diving back into one of the refuges of my childhood was truly special, if a little bittersweet. I wish I could see it all through the eyes of a child once again.
When I went to my first Comic Con a few years back, I was very nervous because I was on my own and I have anxiety. In order to potentially alleviate my stress I brought along my plush Fraggle, Uncle Travelling Matt, given to me by my older brother the year before. I had him sticking out of my handbag, taking in the sites and sounds. Having him with me certainly helped, but what surprised me most was how many people stopped to tell me how much they loved him and Fraggle Rock in general. He was a great ice-breaker!
My childhood was not always pleasant, but the Fraggles were always there, as the series started when I was four years old. I always knew they were special to me, and this wonderful book has explained to my adult self what was so magical about the series. The ethos of compassion, understanding, and dealing with serious topics in a kind, gentle way is the sort of thing we're currently missing with a lot of children's media today. It started with Jim Henson and his entire cast and crew, where cooperation was key, and the best ideas always won -- whether the idea came from him or the guy handing out coffee.
This beautifully constructed book tells the story of Fraggle Rock from its inception to its most recent incarnation during the Covid Lockdown, with photos, original concept art, and even photocopies of original documents, scripts and letters -- many of which have the handwritten corrections and comments of those involved! I especially enjoyed all the technical aspects of creating the Muppets -- Fraggle, Gorg, and Doozer -- the sets, and the music. What surprised me most was finding out how the wrap-around world of Doc, Sprocket, and Uncle Matt were different, depending on which country was airing the series. It was a truly international effort, the logistics of which were incredible! But it was certainly worth the four years of magic we received in the original series.
Diving back into one of the refuges of my childhood was truly special, if a little bittersweet. I wish I could see it all through the eyes of a child once again.
November 14, 2021
Well it seems that the ultimate visual guide series is getting ever bigger, the latest of which is for Fraggle Rock - wow this takes me back I can tell you - and what is more when I talk about it to my friends they all remember it with fondness too. I will admit I am quite surprised how much of a positive impression it made on such a wide range of people - something that is not lost on the authors of this book who acknowledge the universal appeal and praise for this series.
One thing I picked up about this book is the span of it - it started well before the series went in to production and carries on long after the TV series finished (and by that I mean the puppet version as there was also an animated version too) in to the books and other matieral which is still being released to this day.
But do not get distracted by this - the book is packed with material and information from the series from how they characters evolved to what we recognise today to how they were constructed to how the ideas for the storylines and scripts came about.
One of the sections that impressed me was how the series was tailored to different countries - they were still the same show but they tailored subtle changes to make sure it was not only recognisable to that country but also related to their people - few series do that - rather then just dub and hope for the best.
The book is a real celebration of everything Fraggle Rock and just goes to show the love and dedication the series enjoyed.
One thing I picked up about this book is the span of it - it started well before the series went in to production and carries on long after the TV series finished (and by that I mean the puppet version as there was also an animated version too) in to the books and other matieral which is still being released to this day.
But do not get distracted by this - the book is packed with material and information from the series from how they characters evolved to what we recognise today to how they were constructed to how the ideas for the storylines and scripts came about.
One of the sections that impressed me was how the series was tailored to different countries - they were still the same show but they tailored subtle changes to make sure it was not only recognisable to that country but also related to their people - few series do that - rather then just dub and hope for the best.
The book is a real celebration of everything Fraggle Rock and just goes to show the love and dedication the series enjoyed.
January 17, 2025
I definitely remember watching Fraggle Rock when I was little, but never liking it anywhere to the same degree that I did Sesame Street or The Muppet Show. However, between a few books that I've read over the past few years (Brian Jay Jones' Jim Henson: The Biography and Jessica Max Stein's Funny Boy), and several different Muppet-focused podcasts, I've gradually developed a newfound and deep appreciation for the show. And this extremely informative, and absolutely gorgeous book really helps cement said appreciation - not just for the show itself, but for all those hardworking and fantastically creatively people behind its creation.
For all you Muppet fans, I say this is most definitely a book worth reading, if not flat out owning a copy of for your own personal library. It's a great way to get to really know the show that took us to a wonderful world where we could dance our cares away.
For all you Muppet fans, I say this is most definitely a book worth reading, if not flat out owning a copy of for your own personal library. It's a great way to get to really know the show that took us to a wonderful world where we could dance our cares away.
July 28, 2024
This book not only has beautiful pictures, sketches and scenes from the series but includes many behind the scenes stories and details. It has a lot of rich writing and stories—far more than the typical coffee table book. If you’re a fan of the Fraggles (and you should be) this is a must have and a must read.
January 23, 2025
This was just wonderful! A brilliant insight into what made this show what it is and it’s so nice to see all the dedication and care that went into it from all the creatives behind the scenes- makes me feel even more joy towards the show and this book also.
January 25, 2022
I vividly recall being invited over to my neighbor’s house to watch “Fraggle Rock” the night it premiered in January 1983. The two brothers who lived next door were just as excited for a new show from Muppet creator, Jim Henson, as I was. The older brother had the idea to place a tape recorder up next to the TV to tape the program. (It was a different set of neighbors who had the first VCR on the block where we’d coincidentally watch “The Great Muppet Caper” dozens of times.) Anyway, as soon as the catchy Fraggle Rock theme song started up, the younger brother expressed his excitement and thereby ruining the perfect audio capture of this show. The older one flew into a rage and started a physical fight with his brother yelling, “Now we won’t have Fraggle Rock forever!” I quite honestly think I ended up watching it alone – at their house.
I tell that story because the only way this “Ultimate Visual History” book of Fraggles could be any better is if they had included an audio clip from the cassette of those brothers fighting that night.
This book gives an exhaustive look at all the thought, creativity, and puppet building that went into this show. The pages are filled with behind the scenes photos, early concept drawings, and replicas of vintage documents related to the production. (My only complaint is that these inserts are awkwardly glued to pages.) It might be easy to get lost in all the visual aspects of this book, but the narrative is just as captivating as they creatives behind the show discuss the importance of the show’s message that different cultures and beings unknowingly are interconnected.
I tell that story because the only way this “Ultimate Visual History” book of Fraggles could be any better is if they had included an audio clip from the cassette of those brothers fighting that night.
This book gives an exhaustive look at all the thought, creativity, and puppet building that went into this show. The pages are filled with behind the scenes photos, early concept drawings, and replicas of vintage documents related to the production. (My only complaint is that these inserts are awkwardly glued to pages.) It might be easy to get lost in all the visual aspects of this book, but the narrative is just as captivating as they creatives behind the show discuss the importance of the show’s message that different cultures and beings unknowingly are interconnected.
March 2, 2022
with lots of wonderful pictures and drawings. hardcover 224 pages. a very large heavy book.
-4.5 stars. it would have been 5 but they have paper 'facsimile documents' glued by one corner to various book pages. these are NOT pages of the book but rather regular old printer paper. i foresee these as being easily dislodged and lost from a library book.
-when i was little i absolutely loved this show! it debuted in 1983 when i was 6. it was wonderful to revisit that world from my childhood and all those characters. so many great photos and drawings. the world lost someone really special when jim henson died.
"fraggle rock is really about people getting along with other people and understanding the balances of the natural world."
"the show wanted to cover these topics without overly teaching or being preachy:
-how to tackle conflict resolution without ever using that phrase
-appreciating differences
-working together to find solutions
-caring for the environment"
"what we wanted with fraggle rock was to show that you could learn to understand each other."
"adventures that exclude neither tots nor grandparents nor anyone in between from the target audience."
-4.5 stars. it would have been 5 but they have paper 'facsimile documents' glued by one corner to various book pages. these are NOT pages of the book but rather regular old printer paper. i foresee these as being easily dislodged and lost from a library book.
-when i was little i absolutely loved this show! it debuted in 1983 when i was 6. it was wonderful to revisit that world from my childhood and all those characters. so many great photos and drawings. the world lost someone really special when jim henson died.
"fraggle rock is really about people getting along with other people and understanding the balances of the natural world."
"the show wanted to cover these topics without overly teaching or being preachy:
-how to tackle conflict resolution without ever using that phrase
-appreciating differences
-working together to find solutions
-caring for the environment"
"what we wanted with fraggle rock was to show that you could learn to understand each other."
"adventures that exclude neither tots nor grandparents nor anyone in between from the target audience."
January 12, 2022
Oh, to be a fraggle in a Michael K. Frith concept drawing - now that's the dream life.
A really beautiful deepdive into all the work that went into creating Fraggle Rock. I absolutely loved this book, and one of the things I really appreciated was the amount of time it spent diving into the preproduction as well as all the little anecdotes from the time creating the show. It was fascinating to learn about the team's creative process and the reasoning behind a lot of their decisions, as well as all the thoughts and care that went into every little detail. The inclusion of add-ons with notes, memos and pitch-packets was a really cool way of adding an extra layer to the immersion into the world behind Fraggle Rock, and I really appreciated the addition of it! All in all it's probably one of my absolute favourite behind-the-scenes- books I've ever read and I highly recommend reading it from the pure joy you get from seeing the amount of work and care the team behind Fraggle Rock put into the show.
A really beautiful deepdive into all the work that went into creating Fraggle Rock. I absolutely loved this book, and one of the things I really appreciated was the amount of time it spent diving into the preproduction as well as all the little anecdotes from the time creating the show. It was fascinating to learn about the team's creative process and the reasoning behind a lot of their decisions, as well as all the thoughts and care that went into every little detail. The inclusion of add-ons with notes, memos and pitch-packets was a really cool way of adding an extra layer to the immersion into the world behind Fraggle Rock, and I really appreciated the addition of it! All in all it's probably one of my absolute favourite behind-the-scenes- books I've ever read and I highly recommend reading it from the pure joy you get from seeing the amount of work and care the team behind Fraggle Rock put into the show.
January 9, 2022
Got this for Christmas and LOVED it! I’ve read so many different Henson books, so while I was excited for a new one, I expected a lot of repetition of what I already knew. But this was definitely a much deeper dive into the development and execution of this wonderful, magical world. So many interesting archival reproductions and photos. And perhaps surprisingly, a really lovely read?! Sometimes these kinds of books are carried by the photos and inserts, but this one was actually really well organized and written. I read every word. And promptly looked up others in the series—bought the one about Labyrinth and the one about The Dark Crystal. Can’t wait to read them. And holding out hope for another one that tackles The Muppets themselves. A huge undertaking, but it’ll be soooooo goooooooood. Long live all things Henson!
July 10, 2022
Mandatory reading for fans of the series.
August 8, 2022
A really beautiful book, I'm sad I've finished reading it! Particularly enjoyed the details about how they puppets were all constructed, and the relationships between the cast, writers and crew.
September 18, 2022
A wonderful compendium of the creative process behind the Fraggles. While the show is completed the magic lives on.
November 10, 2023
Dance your cares away, worries for another day! Great Stuff!
January 16, 2022
Terrific behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite series of all time. I am only withholding a star because of some bizarre design decisions: I enjoyed the facsimile documents but greatly disliked the choice to glue them onto pages instead of binding them into the book itself. The font throughout the book is annoyingly small and in some of the inserts it is TINY. But there are lots of interviews, photographs, and -best of all- Michael K. Frith’s delightful concept art.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews