Words and Pictures (BBC series)
| Words and Pictures | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children’s television series |
| Presented by |
Gabriel Woolf (1970) Tony Robinson (1972) Henry Woolf (1975-1981) Vicky Ireland (1982-1989) Stuart Bradley (1990) Sophie Aldred (1992-1993,1995-2001) Michael Hobbs (1993-1994) Paul Ewing (1999-2001, spin-off) Pui Fan Lee and William Vanderpuye (2006-2007, revival series) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production company(s) | BBC Schools |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One, BBC Two, CBeebies |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 17 October 1970 – 28 October 2006 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Look and Read |
| Followed by | Words and Pictures: Fun with Phonics |
Words and Pictures is a BBC children's literacy programme which aired as part of BBC Schools, starting in 1970.
The series began in 1970 as a spin-off from the BBC schools programme, Look and Read, which was already providing the same type of practice and encouragement for older children. The first series was presented by Gabriel Woolf and set in an attic full of toys, who have adventures related to phonics. Two episodes aired each week, one ("Programme A") at the start and the other ("Programme B") at the end. This was meant to cater for younger children and allowed teachers to do some follow-up work in the classroom in between. A total of 16 episodes aired.
The second series started airing weekly in 1972, for 20 episodes. The format and presenter changed, the second series being about a young man called Sam Samson (played by Tony Robinson) who daydreams about an island inhabited by "Boffs". The series was later repeated as Sam on Boffs' Island.
In 1975 Henry Woolf took over as presenter, with the setting changing to a bookshop. He was assisted by an animated character named Charlie and a "magic pencil", who would describe and show how to form the letter using a rhyme with each letter. This series contained a story in each episode along with songs and rhymes.
A fourth series began airing in 1982, this time presented by Vicky Ireland. The format was unchanged, and the setting changed to a library. Ireland presented the show until 1989, and presented 84 episodes.
In 1990 the programme was presented by Stuart Bradley and a cat puppet called Nutmeg, who could operate a word processor. This series also contained footage from the outside world and reintroduced the magic pencil after a 12-year absence as it wrote the small case letters.
In 1992 the presenter was Sophie Aldred, who continued to present studio-based programmes and would become the series' longest-serving presenter. The BBC also produced two VHS tapes, again presented by Sophie. Time For A Story featured some of the stories from the 1992/93 series and Alphabet Fun Time featured the phonic animations animated by Alan Rogers and Peter Lang with Magic Pencil.
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