Wishbone Show

Wishbone is a live-action TV show that aired on PBS from 1995 to 1997. It stars a Jack Russell Terrier named Wishbone who imagines himself as characters from great works of literature. While Wishbone's owner Joe and his friends deal with everyday problems, Wishbone acts out stories by authors like Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Homer. The show made classic literature fun and accessible for kids.

A Dog with a Big Imagination

Wishbone is a small but enthusiastic dog who thinks of himself as the hero of every story. He dresses in costumes and acts out famous literary scenes. The show parallels Wishbone's literary adventures with real-life situations Joe and his friends face. This clever structure helped kids connect classic stories to their own lives.

Bringing Books to Life

Wishbone covered works like Robin Hood, Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey, and Don Quixote. The show won a Peabody Award for making literature accessible to young viewers. It inspired many kids to read the original books after seeing Wishbone's versions. Libraries reported increased interest in classics thanks to the show.

Fun Facts

• The real dog who played Wishbone was named Soccer.
• Wishbone covered over 50 different literary works.
• The show won a Peabody Award for educational excellence.

Did You Know?

Soccer, the dog who played Wishbone, was a trained Jack Russell Terrier who could perform many tricks. He had a personal trainer on set and even had his own fan mail. Libraries across America saw a big increase in kids checking out classic literature because of the show!