Sesame Street Unpaved: Scripts, Stories, Secrets, and Songs [Hardcover]

David Borgenicht (Author)

Book Description

The show that has taught over 70 million of us to count is turning 30! To help celebrate this milestone, Hyperion presents the ultimate insider's tribute to "Sesame Street"--a one-of-a-kind volume that lets readers relive all the classic memories, games shows, animation, and parodies through actual scripts, rare photos, celebrity flashbacks, and hilarious anecdotes. 400 color photos. NPR sponsorship.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-An entertaining and educational look at this remarkable program. When Sesame Street first aired on November 10, 1969, not even the most optimistic visionaries of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting could have foreseen its worldwide success. Young adults who have known Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie since birth will fondly remember their preschool days. They will also appreciate the clever dialogue and humor that kept their parents watching with them. Borgenicht does an outstanding job of conveying his enthusiasm for all aspects of the show. The book's title is a clever suggestion of a fun-loving expos? and Sesame Street Unpaved does, indeed, expose all of the activities, characters, and creatures that have made Sesame Street a cultural icon. The book layout is high energy, just like the program. The variety of fonts, photos, graphics, and the bright colors are exciting. The trivia questions, the behind-the-scenes secrets, and Muppet profiles are great fun while the technical tidbits are informative. A sentimental stroll for all of those fans who have spent time together watching Sesame Street.
Nancy Karst, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books; 1st edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786864605
• ISBN-13: 978-0786864607
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Borgenicht is the creator and co-author of the best-selling WORST CASE SCENARIO SURVIVAL HANDBOOK series. He is also the author of dozens of other books, including THE STAR TREK BOOK OF OPPOSITES and HOW TO CON YOUR KID. He is the president and publisher of Quirk Books (www.quirkbooks.com), Philadelphia-based publishers of entertaining, informative, and amusing fiction and non-fiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENOUGH MEMORIES TO CHOKE A SNUFFLEUPAGUS!!!, September 13, 1999

By 

Rayna Gorowitz "Sparkina" (Pembroke Pines, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sesame Street Unpaved: Scripts, Stories, Secrets, and Songs (Hardcover)

As a 70s kid who watched the show in its HEYDAY, the era of the clumsy baker and the number painter, the period of Number Pinball, Roosevelt Franklin, and Hair Gordon, when David and Maria were sweethearts (They say. I thought they were just very good pals), Mr. Hooper was alive, and Snuffy was perceived as Big Bird's fantasy, I have to say this book is excellent!!! It has enough memories to fill Cookie Monster's cookie jar, Big Bird's nest, Oscar's trashcan, and Susan & Gordon's apartment combined. IT'S JAM PACKED WITH ENOUGH MEMORIES TO CHOKE A SNUFFLEUPAGUS! I recommend it highly to anyone who remembers the Alligator King and the King of 8!!! Just one complaint about the book -- IT WAS A LITTLE TOO SHORT!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One book. Hahahahahahahahaha., May 17, 2000

By 

Mr. A. Pomeroy (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sesame Street Unpaved: Scripts, Stories, Secrets, and Songs (Hardcover)

A fantastic overview of the Sesame Street continuum, this heavily-illustrated tome has songs, behind-the-scenes information, a giant picture of Count Von Count laughing maniacally (worth the price of entry along), and lots of neat information with which to dazzle your friends (apparently Oscar the Grouch was originally brown).

The only drawback is a confusion of purpose - it's not sure whether it's a guide for kids or grown-ups, and the information is therefore fairly light (there's no episode guide, for example, and Buffy Saint-Marie is never mentioned fully by name). Still, it's a great thing to have around, and you can dip into it every so often for a new fact.

Best of all, it'll make you want to watch the show again, if you aren't already - it's one of the finest things on television anywhere, and anything that encourages people to watch it is a Good Thing in my opinion.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent chronicle of Sesame Street's first 30 years, May 1, 2001

By 

Ted "Ted" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sesame Street Unpaved: Scripts, Stories, Secrets, and Songs (Hardcover)

In this, the first Sesame Street book for adults, We can see a history of the show from it's begining to its 30th birthday.

I have fond memories of this show and am distressed that this fine book has become out of print so quickly.

It has a history of the many characters on the show, including ones who were nixed for various reasons. Anybody remember Don Music or Gladys the Cow?

How about the day Mr. Hoopers's death was announced. I missed that part and probably would not have remembered it as I would have only been 3 at the time.

As I look back to my childhood years, I have many fond memories of the show and would want to see this book reissued.