Customer Reviews

TV Thompson

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I was ushered into the wonderful world of reading by a fantastic third grade teacher who read books aloud every day for 30 minutes. TV Thompson was one of the books she read to us. I was so fascinated by the author's creativity. I couldn't wait to sit and hear another chapter of TV's amazing story. TV Thompson travels through the TV and participates in shows for awhile, then he's zapped out of them again. I have never forgotten this book, and am searching for a copy. As I recall, it was out of print even then. TV Thompson reminds me of when I first started enjoying reading. I think it's a great book for all ages, and a wonderful book to start kids on. Thank God for teachers who care enough to introduce students to the wonderful world of books.

Armed with Gobbles, Fatties, and Belcho, Trueviewer TV Thompson gleefully begins his nightly ritual of remote-controlling himself through Westerns, talk shows, old movies, news, weather and sports. Loud chomping on Charlotte's Web by a rude bookworm named Dudley interrupts this midnight medley. Dudley, a gourmetof the rare book room, tempts TV with an offer to enter the excitement and adventure of the color console world. This incredible and hilarious excursion includes a near stampede by the Manhattan Monsters, a showdown between Marshal Fred .44 (star of Hot Lead) and Charleton Cool (spy hero of S.N.E.A.K.), and a possible adoption by the Mack Typical family. How this nightmarish experience in Televisionland makes him think twice about the effects of the tube on his imagination, his family and firend, his reading habits, and his future makes this a delightful and timely story.

Reviews --
"In this updated version of Alice Through the Looking Glass, young TV Thompson is lured inside the television console to share in the excitement and adventures and the dangers that makes up the world of video. There's a nightmarish quality to TV's experiences. And the result is a new perspective as to the part television should play upon our lives--both for TV Thompson and the young, up-to-12 reader. Cleverly done and fairly effective in its message." San Rafael, California Independent Journal

"Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout's TV Thompson is a timely story about the effects of television on a boy's imagination, his reading habits and his future." Vicki Vincent, Memphis, Tennessee Commercial Appeal

"One of the funnier books for young people--and funny enough to entice parents and grandparents--is TV Thompson. It is a good and timely book...The book isn't moralistic, but the print is there and maybe a lot of parents and kids should read it." Grand Junction, Colorado Sentinel

"For years, educators, psychologists and concerned parents have written articles on, debated the issue of, and reached tentative conclusions about the deleterious effects of too much television viewing on young children. But not one of the articles or the speeches I have read or heard says it more effectively about the effects of 'televsionalities' than do authors Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout in their humorous and subtle satire, TV Thompson." Josephine J. Curto, Tallahassee, Florida Democrat

"In their latest book, addressed to True Viewers between nine and ninety, the Swarthouts have created an unforgettable character, TV Thompson, the embodiment of the foibles and frustrations of the TV age...Reading this book will ensure a more discriminating use of the all-pervasive TV." Collice Portnoff, Arizona Republic

I read TV Thompson over 25 years ago and it was a fantastic book with a wonderful message; Even though the events in the book could never happen, I understood that there are better things to do than to watch TV. I laughed at the humor, but picked up the real message. I am now trying to find this book..........definitely worth buying for my children!