This history of children's television describes its development since the earliest days when Muffin the Mule made his first appearance in 1946. It tells how many of the best-loved and most successful programmes originated, and writes about the people behind the scenes and in front - the producers, animators, presenters, actors and actresses. Among the many types of programmes discussed are puppets (from Sooty and Tingha and Tucker in the Fifties, to today's favourites), pre-school programmes such as Playschool and Rainbow, storytelling (especially the long-running Jackanory), drama, information programmes such as Blue Peter, and Saturday-morning programmes and entertainment.