ImagiNation

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.

, 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.

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. is a trip you won’t want to miss.

Author Biography

Ed Conroy is a cultural historian, writer, producer, archivist, and vintage video sleuth. He is the founder of Retrontario.com and his writing on Canadian pop culture and history has appeared in the Toronto Star, Toronto Life, and blogTO. He has appeared on CTV, TVOntario, CBC TV & Radio, Zoomer TV & Radio, and is a regular guest on Newstalk 1010. Ed currently lives in Port Perry, Ontario.