It’s widely agreed that PBS television programming was an education-rich era for kids in the latter half of the twentieth century, giving us treasures like Sesame Street to Reading Rainbow, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Wishbone. Such shows taught their young viewers about the value of learning and the unending joys of reading. Thirty years after its debut, Joey Stewart has directed an in-depth documentary called What’s the Story, Wishbone?, exploring the creation and legacy of the Emmy Award-winning show that launched the reading lives of countless young bibliophiles.
At just fifty episodes, Wishbone lost out in longevity to meet the demands of delivering a daily show. Despite its success, there was so much pressure to create unique costumes and sets, to say nothing of the staging, blocking, and coordination and costuming for everyone, including its star, the imaginative Wishbone (voiced by Larry Brantley), played by a Jack Russell terrier called Soccer. This talented dog, who in the course of the show was seen doing impossibly wonderful things including riding a horse, firing a bow and arrow, and sailing on a raft, was given his flowers as well.
Beyond the expected tale of Wishbone’s initial inspiration, the film explores every facet of the show, from the filming format to the art direction and selective use of green screens, to stories on casting. One impressive aspect is that they built a whole neighborhood and town of exteriors from scratch to be the main characters’ homes, and you wouldn’t know it to see them. Interviewees also spoke to their decision to use, appropriately, classically trained theater actors to be reused in Wishbone’s retellings. Another fun tidbit is that one man had to lovingly and with historical design accuracy create a whole new book cover for each story featured in the episode to avoid copyright infringement. It’s a testament to their professionalism and skills that it all came together and looked as effortless as it did.
As you watch the film, you realize you’re not only learning how the show was made, but also histories behind the creative styles used in television and filmmaking, particularly in the tech and art departments. Furthermore, the creators address one of the more obvious obstacles for the show’s premise, that of the dark material of some of these books and how it weighed against their ability to make it appealing and relatable to kids.
With this literary TV show documentary, Stewart has made a whimsically wonderful look back at Wishbone, our favorite bookish pup. Nostalgia nerds will delight in revisiting their childhoods (or even their kids’ childhoods) and the literary love this show inspired. Five stars, would recommend.
What’s the Story, Wishbone? is available to rent or own on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google TV and YouTube Movies.
How can educators and librarians use What's the Story, Wishbone??
What's the Story, Wishbone? is an excellent companion to literature, library science, media studies, and children's education curricula. The documentary explores how Wishbone introduced generations of young viewers to classic literature while offering behind-the-scenes insight into television production, adaptation, and storytelling. Educators can use it to spark discussions about adapting classic works for younger audiences, the role of public television in literacy education, and how visual media encourages lifelong reading habits. For librarians, it serves as an engaging complement to classic literature displays, reading initiatives, and family literacy programming.
Is What's the Story, Wishbone? a good choice for community screenings?
Absolutely. This documentary is a natural fit for library and community programs celebrating literacy, children's television, or nostalgic pop culture. Fans of the original series will enjoy learning how the beloved show was created, while younger audiences and families can discover the care and craftsmanship that went into bringing classic literature to life. It also pairs well with book discussions, children's literature events, or programs highlighting the lasting educational impact of PBS, making it an engaging conversation starter for viewers of all ages.
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