Michael Davis has done a wonderful job in pulling this book together. The word "complete is by no means an exaggeration. I am one of the Sesame Street generation. I grew up with the show ... in fact, I always believed the show is the reason why I knew my alpahbet, colors, and shapes as well as how to count to 100 before going to kindergarten.

It quickly becomes clear that the story of Sesame Street started years before its actual premier in November of 1969. Not only did it include years of research and a hunt for funding. Most of its earlier players had a lot of experience on precursor shows in the field of children's television such as Captain Kangaroo, Howdy Doody and Miss Frances' Ding Dong School.

Davis presents the history of the first truly educational show for preschoolers by weaving together the personal tales of all those involved, including not only the human actors before the cameras, but also those major players that designed, produced, and filmed the show.

Some are familiar names such as Jim Henson and Frank Oz, both of Muppets fame. In fact, as Oz says in a quote on the back of the book, Davis does a wonderful job of showing how important the people behind the camera were in making this unique show. The book also highlights that while the show was a major success, it also faced major challenges in the areas of continued funding, staying pertinent as later generations changed their educational needs, and the personal trials and tribulations of the cast and crew.

It was clear from the beginning, and in the 40 years since it started, that they hoped to balance fun and learning with a need to allow young people an opportunity to see a truly culturally inclusive and racially diverse community. Not only was this tied to race and ethnic background, but also into disabilities.

Since its creation, the show introduced young people not only to early concepts such as spacial relations, shapes, colors, numbers, and letters, but it also touched on tolerance, emotions, death, marriage, friendship, breastfeeding, and even teen romance.

While I love the book, I would warn those looking for only a quick history that this one might be more than they are looking for. Davis has taking care to be fully comprehensive and thorough with his presentation of the show's history. You may be biting off a bit more than you were hoping for. I thought it was just enough, though.