Storylords facts for kids

Storylords was a TV show from 1984. It was a live-action series made to help kids learn to read better. You could watch it on educational TV channels and PBS stations across the United States. The show was created at the University of Wisconsin–Stout for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

What is Storylords About?

Storylords has twelve episodes, each about 15 minutes long. The show uses a fantasy story to teach important reading skills. It helps you understand what you read.

The main character is a young boy named Norbert. He becomes a helper to Lexor, an old 'Storylord' from a magical land called Mojuste. Norbert's job is to protect the people of Mojuste. They are in danger from a bad guy named Thorzuul.

Thorzuul is a wicked Storylord. He wants to turn everyone who can't understand what they read into stone statues. He collects these statues!

Norbert's Adventures in Mojuste

In the first few episodes, Norbert gets a special call from Lexor. He uses a magic ring to enter Mojuste. His mission is to help a citizen solve a riddle or puzzle from Thorzuul.

Norbert travels to Mojuste using his "Bike-o-Tron." This is a magical exercise bike in his garage. As he rides, he chants a special rhyme:

Thunder and Lightning, Trumpets and Drums, Readers Rejoice, A Storylord Comes!

Once in Mojuste, Norbert meets the person Thorzuul is trying to trick. Norbert remembers lessons from his teacher, Mrs. Framish. He uses these lessons to help the citizen solve the puzzle. He always finishes just before Thorzuul arrives. Thorzuul rides a motorcycle driven by his chauffeur, Milkbreath. He is always upset when his plans fail!

Mandy Joins the Team

About halfway through the series, Norbert's sister, Mandy, gets curious. She wants to know what her brother is doing in the garage. She decides to follow him.

Mandy touches Norbert just as he is traveling to Mojuste on the Bike-o-Tron. She gets transported to the magical land with him! After this, Mandy becomes Norbert's assistant.

In the last four episodes, Thorzuul changes his plan. He stops targeting the citizens of Mojuste. Instead, he focuses his tricks directly on Norbert and Mandy.

Meet the Storylords Cast

• Colm O'Reilly—Norbert
• Tanya Tiffany—Mandy
• Mike Nelms—Jason
• Karin Worthley—Mrs Framish
• Alexis Lauren—Lexor
• Larry Laird—Thorzuul
• Dennis Fenichel—Milkbreath

Behind the Scenes

Many talented people helped make Storylords. Here are some of the main crew members:

• Producer/Director - Ed Jakober
• Writer - Jed MacKay
• Program Development - Tom DeRose
• Production Manager - Tim Fuhrmann
• Music Written and performed by: Dave Roll
• Art Director - Annette Proehl
• Audio - Larry Roeming, Jim Guenther
• Production Engineers - Ron Heinecke, Pat Allickson
• Studio Manager - Louis Rivard
• Production Assistants - Bill Moran, Paul Hed

What Each Episode Teaches

Each episode of Storylords focuses on a different reading skill. Here are the topics covered in the series:

• Activating Prior Knowledge Before Reading
• Connecting What You Know With What's On The Page
• Knowing When You Don't Know (In Your Head)
• Knowing When You Don't Know (On The Page)
• Directed Reading-Thinking Activity
• Question-Answer Relationships
• Decoding Words in Context
• Inferring Word Meaning in Context
• Story Mapping
• Pronoun Anaphora
• Identifying Main Idea and Details
• Integrating Comprehension Strategies