On November 10, 1969, PBS and the newly formed Children's Television Workshop premiered a program that would revolutionize education and create a cultural phenomenon unmatched since!
Joan Ganz Cooney partnered with Jim Henson to create a street filled with humans, birds, monsters, grouches, and all kinds of creatures, especially my favorite and best childhood friend: Big Bird!
From the show, I learned about friendship, love, diversity, death, why hating someone for having a different skin color is bad, caring for the environment, helping animals and others, and about numbers, reading, and letters. I learned that you can be friends with someone who looks and thinks differently, and that you can even be friends with monsters (as a kid, monsters didn't scare me because Grover and Cookie were my friends, also - even a vampire).
A lot of those lessons about life have stuck with me throughout my years, and I've remembered them all. I also know that lots of others have forgotten those lessons and I wish would go back and learn them.
I digress.
Without my felt and fleece friends in feathers and fur I think my childhood would have been less fun or interesting.
I've drawn these beloved characters since I could color in the lines of Sesame Street Coloring Books (which helped fund the show), and collected them as often.
Sesame Workshop has announced their 50th Anniversary year-long celebration:
Of course, I have too many favorites to include in this, so from my sketch to this piece I wanted to give you a quick anniversary wish of thanks and love to the happiest street on earth.
Now, someone help me get to Sesame Street to meet Big Bird! PLEEEEEASE!
Enjoy!
Joan Ganz Cooney partnered with Jim Henson to create a street filled with humans, birds, monsters, grouches, and all kinds of creatures, especially my favorite and best childhood friend: Big Bird!
From the show, I learned about friendship, love, diversity, death, why hating someone for having a different skin color is bad, caring for the environment, helping animals and others, and about numbers, reading, and letters. I learned that you can be friends with someone who looks and thinks differently, and that you can even be friends with monsters (as a kid, monsters didn't scare me because Grover and Cookie were my friends, also - even a vampire).
A lot of those lessons about life have stuck with me throughout my years, and I've remembered them all. I also know that lots of others have forgotten those lessons and I wish would go back and learn them.
I digress.
Without my felt and fleece friends in feathers and fur I think my childhood would have been less fun or interesting.
I've drawn these beloved characters since I could color in the lines of Sesame Street Coloring Books (which helped fund the show), and collected them as often.
Sesame Workshop has announced their 50th Anniversary year-long celebration:
In celebrating the 50th Anniversary Season of Sesame Street, I created the image below to share with you all. It's a quick sketch; but, one I had fun creating. I used actual photos of the characters to sample the colors for each part of them (clothing and more), so they more closely match their real counterparts.
- A 50th television season which focuses on the power of possibilities, empowering kids to take safe risks and learn from their mistakes.
- A nationwide road trip where Sesame Street characters and friends host community events in ten cities around the country.
- An expansion of the growing Sesame Street in Communities initiative, addressing issues including substance abuse and foster care to better support vulnerable children and families. (Note: Memphis, TN, is one of the cities that will receive help from SS in Communities.)
- The launch of a new local version of Sesame Street created for displaced Syrian families and their new neighbors in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as part of a large-scale early childhood intervention in the region.
- A signature research report that will explore an important issue facing kids and families today.
- Celebrity- and fan-fueled social media campaigns including #ThisIsMyStreet, showcasing favorite Sesame Street memories.
- New collaborations across fashion, lifestyle, and themed entertainment for Sesame Street fans of all ages.
- A November star-studded prime-time special, featuring new takes on classic segments and visits from Sesame Street icons.
Of course, I have too many favorites to include in this, so from my sketch to this piece I wanted to give you a quick anniversary wish of thanks and love to the happiest street on earth.
Now, someone help me get to Sesame Street to meet Big Bird! PLEEEEEASE!
Enjoy!
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