Cover Image: It's Saturday Morning!

It's Saturday Morning!

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Member Reviews

I really enjoyed It's Saturday Morning. I grew up watching the shows of the '80s and '90s so this was a nostalgic look to my childhood. I was tickled to see my favorite shows profiles and learn fun behind the scenes facts. The full-color photos were beautiful and brought the past alive.
I wish my children could experience the Saturday Morning cartoon tradition. Since that's not an option, this book will at least help me share the experience3.

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If any of these phrases make you smile when you read them, this is a book you'll want to add to your collection. "WILMA!!!" "Jane, how do you stop this crazy thing?" "You sank my battleship!" "Not plane, nor bird nor even frog...it's just little old me...Underdog!" "Spaaaaaaace Ghost" "Jinkies" "Zoinks" "Conjunction Junction, What's Your Function?" "Let's get Mikey. He won't eat it, he hates everything. He likes it, hey Mikey!" "Wonder Twin Powers Activate" "Now you smurf em, now you don't" "Transformers....More than meets the eye" "Thunder, thunder, thundercats ho!" "I know you are but what am I?" "Cowabunga!" Part history lesson, part trip down memory lane, It's Saturday Morning is a look back at joy that was Saturday morning cartoons for generations of kids. The book examines cartoons and shows from the 1960's-1990's. The book begins with an introduction from comedian and actor Howie Mandel, which was interesting and offered a behind the scenes look at the "magic" of cartoons. Each decade gets it's own section, and each section includes history and details about several of that decades most important or impactful shows. Each show gets 2-4 pages, and there are pictures of the animation, pictures from behind the scenes, sometimes pictures of artwork or merchandise...there was a lot of information here I knew, but there was also a lot of great information I didn't know. The authors addressed some of the critical responses to some of the shows, especially those, like the Flinstones, that started out as evening "Prime Time" shows before they ended up on Saturday mornings in re-runs. Each decade also features a couple pages that address some of the most popular commercials that we would have seen when we watched. Over all, this is a fun, nostalgic and informative look back at an important time in our history, and an element of pop culture that played an important part in the childhoods of many of us. I can't help but regret that today's kids won't have Schoolhouse Rock songs playing in their heads, or be learning the importance of accepting each other, regardless of skin color, size or shape, from Fat Albert. I think we've gained so much from the Internet and vast variety of entertainment options available these days, but reading this book helped me remember that we've lost a little something too. Something that was important, helped my brother and I bond as kids, and helped both of learn, imagine, play and be silly.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Great trip down memory lane, some before my time and quite a few I'd forgotten all about. Cartoons today aren't what they used to be!

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A fun and interesting read ... and a great trip down memory lane! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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This is a wonderful retrospective for anyone whose lives were enriched by Saturday cartoons, cereal and nostalgia. While it centres on its position in American society, and avid British fan will still find it a relatable read.

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This book is American so some of the shows I don’t recall seeing over here but I loved the varied mix of Saturday morning cartoons over the years. Some well known others totally new to me.
Next to Walt Disney I loved all of the Hanna Barbera shows and reading about the company was a real eye opener.
The after these messages inserts are a lovely nostalgic twist about adverts that were shown during these shows for products that were all the rage of the years.
All in all it’s a lovely nostalgic look at when Saturday Morning TV was great for animation.

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I devoured this book with a huge smile on my face. I was born in 1973 and this book is an amazing glimpse behind the shows that shaped by childhood. I also love the nostalgic glimpses into the products whose commercials also captivated us....shout outs to the Lite Brite and Battleship! I especially love the look back at School House Rock (Interplanet Janet is still my jam even thought "Pluto, Litlle Pluto" is no longer the fartherest planet from our Sun....ooo-ooo!) and the Superfriends (Wonder Twins Powers, Activate!) I can't even tell you how much fun I had reading this book. and I can't wait to pick up a copy for my coffee table.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book

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