Introduction

"I’ll tell you a story about Jackanory, and now my story’s begun..." and the story began indeed, and continued for an extraordinary thirty years.

Much has been written and spoken of the adverse influence television has had on some children, but this should surely be balanced by the considerable effect for good exemplified by programmes such as Jackanory.

I am honoured to have read the first story way back in 1965 and to have been followed by so many illustrious names, who, I am sure all recognised the rare quality of the programme. It was a beacon for children’s television.

Lee Montague
April 2003