Revisiting Our Childhood Nostalgia

A recent revival of interest in Mister Rogers has offered fans a chance to revisit childhood nostalgia. “Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America” takes it from there. The new book by David Kamp focuses on the idealists who made “Sesame Street” and other creative programming for young minds in the early 1970s, including “The Electric Company,” “Free to Be…You and Me,” “Zoom” and “Schoolhouse Rock!” The book traces the road from “Howdy Doody” through “Captain Kangaroo” to the “Sesame Street” neighborhood, a city block with its diverse (human and Muppet) cast, lessons on alphabets and ethics, and snappy songs.