Words and Pictures

WORDS AND PICTURES
Made by: BBC
Shown on: BBC
Years shown: late '70s-early '80s

In its original and best format, Words & Pictures, a programme for pre-schoolers, was set in a public library, and presented by the slightly prim Vicki Ireland. She was the librarian, and was plagued by a floating cartoon-being named Charlie, who had an unquenchable thirst for learning letters, numbers and all kinds of other things that infants are supposed to learn. Every so often, a line of very well-behaved children would file into the library and do some activities, which would inevitably involve Charlie ending up covered in Bostik or glitter. There would be an animation of a well-known story, and then it would be time for the Magic Pencil, which mesmerised children up and down the country. The Magic Pencil had a light on the end of it, and would write without aid on a black background; it taught you how to write different letters, and reminded you that it was “top to bottom, up and over.” Afterwards, there would be another story, which heavily featured the letter you had just learnt, which would appear highlighted. I could have watched an entire show devoted entirely to the Magic Pencil.

SQUARE EYES RATING: 5/10