Long Ago and Far Away

I'm extremely glad to see this here. I remember watching "Long Ago and Far Away" as a child and being absolutely mesmerized by the stories. James Earl Jones hosted the series, which televised one-shot cartoons from all over the world. I remember watching a claymation version of "The Adventures of Frog and Toad" over and over again as well as a beautifully animated story about Pegasus and his friend, the muse Minerva. I wish that PBS would play repeats of this show as I believe it to be one of the best children's shows ever to air. If you ever get your hands on a copy of any one of these episodes treasure it because I am sure it is a rare find.

I LOVED the one episode of this show that I saw over 10 years ago as an early teenager and have been SCOURING to find it. It was 'Svatohor' or, I believe, "The Fool of The World And The Flying Ship." It was amazing. I still remember it and would love to see it again or have it on video if at all possible. PBS needs to bring this back! The story lines were intriguing, the character construction was amazing and James Earl Jones brought it all together nicely. The whole show reminded me much of the animation of Wallace & Gromit. Does anyone know if this is still shown on PBS at all? Or if there is a DVD/video available for purchase? Any help would be appreciated very much.

Oh, these are wonderful stories that children and adults know and love. So far, I can find a few on YouTube, but, being the needy student of life I am, I'd love to see all of them again.

I love the opening theme music, I absolutely love this post-Darth Vader James Earl Jones voice that introduces each episode, and even though I'm an adult. I love the various sorts of animation used in various stories.

My absolute favorites of these stories are: "Svathor" and "The Flying Ship and the Fool of the World" both from Russia, "The Talking Parcel", and "The Pied (meaning "colorful" Piper of Hamlin".

I loved this when I was a kid. James Earl Jones narrates in a deep voice. Different media, topic, creator, and culture/country every week. Some deep philosophical topics (what if we were part of a dream?), fables/tales from different countries. This was really mind-bending and absorbing, and I'd love to own a DVD of this so I could share it with my daughter!

The children's literature series "Long Ago and Far Away", which aired on PBS in the late 1980's and early 1990's, needs to return! I am an elementary school teacher who recalls the rich and wonderful stories presented in this award-winning children's literature series, and would love to use them as part of my teaching. Years ago I even managed to secure a Discussion and Activity Guide, only to discover that the series was no longer available. To quote the guide's writer, Susan Hepler, "Television is a far-reaching, influential, and entertaining medium. Its potential for educating young children in the humanities, however, has largely been unrealized. Yet educators have seen the value of such public television programming... in motivating children to read the books that these programs feature. Long Ago and Far Away focuses on timeless stories, dramatizing or animating them to appeal to an audience of children five to nine years old and their families. The dramatizations are faithful to the spirit and intent of their literary sources. ... Subtleties in characterization and narrative, as well as the visual power of each film, invite children to experience the power of the story as it has been told or written. Consequently, when children encounter the actual book or a story similar to the one they have just viewed, they already have some familiarity with its content. This familiarity invites them to return to the literary source and to move into related literature." When there is something wonderful like this, and an enthusiastic audience waiting in the wings, why is it withheld for so long from the general public? Again, I appeal to a persuasive body to set this series in motion again. It is sorely needed.