Sesame Street (Around the Corner Book/Era) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Around the Corner on Sesame Street

Zoe on the Cover of Around the Corner on Sesame Street
Author	Norman Stiles and Lou Berger
Illustrator	Joe Mathieu
Language	English
Series	Pictureback Series
Subject	Toys, Dolls, Puppets
Genre	Children's Books
Publisher	Random House
Publication date	1994
Pages	32
ISBN	067985455X 9780679854555

Around the Corner was a special new area added to the Sesame Street TV show. It appeared in Season 25 (1993-1994) and stayed until Season 29 (1997-1998). The book Around the Corner on Sesame Street was released in 1994 to help celebrate this exciting new part of Sesame Street.

The book's story starts at the Day Care Center on 456 Sesame Street. The characters are playing with a ball, but it bounces away! It rolls through The Furry Arms Hotel and then back onto the street. Elmo hits it again, sending it into 10 Sesame Street. The ball goes up the stairs into Celina's Dance Studio. From there, it flies out the window, into Finders Keepers, and finally into the Park. Big Bird catches the ball, ending their game. Along the way, the book introduces many new characters who joined the show in Season 25. These include Jamal and Angela at the Day Care Center, Sherry Netherland and Benny Rabbit at The Furry Arms Hotel, Celina at the Dance Studio, and Ruthie in "Finders Keepers." Zoe also joined in Season 25 and is shown on the book's cover.

About the Book

This book, Around the Corner on Sesame Street, was written by Norman Stiles and Lou Berger. It was illustrated by Joe Mathieu. The book has 32 pages and was published by Random House in 1994. It helped introduce young readers to the new places and friends on Sesame Street.

Who Are the Characters?

Many familiar and new faces appear in the book and the "Around the Corner" expansion. Here are some of the characters you'll meet:

• Elmo
• Barkley
• Big Bird
• Ernie
• Bert
• Oscar the Grouch
• Grover
• Jamal and Angela (from the Day Care Center)
• Betty Lou
• Zoe
• Baby Bear
• Otis the Elephant Elevator Operator
• Benny the Bellhop
• Sherry Netherland
• A Dinger
• Ingrid
• Humphrey
• Baby Natasha
• Telly Monster
• Hoots the Owl
• Wolfgang the Seal
• Slimey
• Grundgetta
• Joey and Davey Monkey
• Herry Monster
• Rosita
• Celina (the dance teacher)
• Ruthie (from Finders Keepers)
• The Squirrelles
• Wanda Cousteau
• Cookie Monster
• A twiddlebug

The TV Show Expansion

Starting in Season 25 (1993-1994), the Sesame Street TV show added a big new area called "Around the Corner." This expansion brought many new places and characters to the show.

Some of the new places included:

• A newsstand
• The Park
• The Day Care Center
• The Furry Arms Hotel

New characters like Zoe, Ruthie, Celina, Jamal, and Angela also joined the cast.

Why "Around the Corner" Left

Martin P. Robinson, a puppeteer who worked on Sesame Street, explained why "Around the Corner" was removed. He said that while the new sets and characters were fun for adults, research showed that young children found it confusing. There were too many new people and puppets for kids to keep track of. Because of this, the "Around the Corner" expansion was removed from the show after Season 29 (1997-1998).

Special TV Events

The "Around the Corner" area was also featured in special episodes. For example, Sesame Street Stays Up Late! was a 1993 New Year's Eve special. It included characters from other international versions of Sesame Street. Everyone on Sesame Street went "Around the Corner" to celebrate their New Year's Eve party!

New Places to Explore

The "Around the Corner" expansion added several exciting new locations to Sesame Street:

• 10 Sesame Street: This two-story building had "Finders Keepers" on the first floor. This was a thrift shop owned by Ruthie, filled with items from fairy tales. The top floor was Celina's Dance Studio, where she taught dance.
• 456 Sesame Street: This brownstone building housed the Day Care Center, run by Angel.
• The Furry Arms Hotel: This was a hotel for Muppets, owned by Sherry Netherland. Her employees included Humphrey, Ingrid, Benny Rabbit, Otis the Elephant Elevator Operator, and a Dinger.
• The Birdland Jazz Club: This club featured live music and was hosted by Hoots the Owl.
• The Park: This area had a jungle gym and a pond. The Squirrelles lived in a tree there.
• A Subway Station: For easy travel around the neighborhood.
• A newsstand: Run by Oscar.