Wishbone facts for kids

Wishbone was a popular American children's television show. It aired on PBS, a public broadcasting service. The show was unique because it starred a clever Jack Russell Terrier dog named Wishbone. This smart dog imagined himself as famous characters from classic books.

About Wishbone

What Was the Show About?

The main idea of "Wishbone" was to bring classic literature to life. Each episode featured Wishbone, a dog living in a fictional town called Oakdale. In his everyday life, Wishbone would encounter situations. These situations reminded him of famous stories.

When this happened, Wishbone would imagine himself as the main character in that classic tale. He would dress up in costumes and act out scenes from the book. Meanwhile, his human family and friends would have their own related adventures in the modern world.

Wishbone's Adventures in Literature

Wishbone explored many different types of stories. He played characters from William Shakespeare plays. He also took on roles from Charles Dickens novels. Other stories included Mark Twain adventures and ancient Greek myths.

For example, Wishbone might be Odysseus from "The Odyssey." Or he could be Romeo from "Romeo and Juliet." This helped young viewers learn about famous books in a fun way. The show made old stories exciting and easy to understand.

Meet the Cast

The Star: Wishbone the Dog

The main star of the show was a Jack Russell Terrier named Soccer. Soccer played Wishbone. He was a very talented dog actor. Other dogs like Slugger, Shiner, Phoebe, and Bear also helped play Wishbone.

The Human Friends

The show also featured a cast of human characters. These were Wishbone's family and friends in Oakdale.

• Larry Brantley was the voice of Wishbone. He helped bring the dog's thoughts and personality to life.
• Jordan Wall played Joe Talbot, Wishbone's owner and best friend.
• Adam Springfield played David Barnes, one of Joe's close friends.
• Christie Abbott played Samantha Kepler, another friend in Joe's group.
• Mary Chris Wall played Ellen Talbot, Joe's mom.
• Angee Hughes played Wanda Gilmore, a neighbor.
• Justin Reese played Nathaniel Bobelesky.
• Adan Sanchez played Lee Natonabah and Dan Bloodgood.
• Rick Perkins played Mr. Bob Pruitt.
• Taylor Pope played Curtis.

Why Wishbone Was So Popular

Learning Through Stories

"Wishbone" was more than just a fun show. It was also very educational. It introduced many children to classic literature for the first time. The show encouraged kids to read the original books. It showed that old stories could still be exciting and relevant today.

The show's creators worked hard to make sure the historical details were correct. They also made sure the stories were told in a way that kids could understand. This blend of entertainment and education made "Wishbone" a favorite for many families.

Awards and Recognition

"Wishbone" received many important awards for its quality. These awards showed how much people appreciated the show's unique approach.

• It was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1999.
• It won a George Foster Peabody Award in 1998, which is a very respected award in television.
• The show won several Emmy Awards in 1997 for its art direction, set design, costume design, and graphics.
• It also won an Emmy Award for Costume Design in 1996.
• "Wishbone" was nominated for more Emmy Awards in 1998 for its special episode "WISHBONE's Dog Days of the West."
• The Television Critics Association named it the Best Children's Show in both 1996 and 1997.