Timbuctoo


Timbuctoo is a series of 26 children's books, written and illustrated by Roger Hargreaves, better known for his Mr Men series. It was published from 1978–79. The books tell the stories of a group of animals, each of whom is named after the sound that their particular animal makes. An animated series of Timbuctoo was shown on CITV in the 1990s, narrated by Ronnie Corbett.

Books

The original set of 25 books named after their main character were published in 1978 and 1979, along with two Timbuctoo Annuals. A further set of story books was published in 1979. In 1997 some books were reprinted with new illustrations to promote the television show, along with a new character, Bray.

1978

Four of the books were republished in 1993.

1979

There was also a set of 'Timbuctoo Shape Books' released, including Oink, Neigh, Growl, Roar, Squeak, Trumpet, Cluck and Puff

1997

Bray was released as an addition to the reprint of all the previous stories in the original set, which were printed, with new illustrations, to accompany the TV series.

Television adaptation

From early 1998 to 1999, the TV show ran on CITV for two seasons based on characters of books; the first later released on VHS as Neigh Finds a New Home and Other Stories in March 1999 and Series 2 released as Woof Has Forgotten How to Bark and Other Stories in February 2000.

Season 1 (1998)

1. "Neigh Finds a New Home"
2. "Honk Goes Swimming"
3. "Snap Learns a New Game"
4. "Cluck Gets a Letter"
5. "Moo Has a Birthday Party"
6. "Chirp Learns to Fly"
7. "Croak Learns to Swim"
8. "Oink and the Big Apple"
9. "Squeak has a Big Day Out"
10. "Bleat Takes the Ball By the Horns"
11. "Grizzle Gets the Giggles"
12. "Hoot Slips up at Question Time"
13. "Meow Goes Fishing"

Season 2 (1999-2000)

14. "Woof Has Forgotten How to Bark"
15. "Hiss is Hopping Mad"
16. "Chatter and His Long Tail"
17. "Puff Buys Some Paint"
18. "Roar Sets Out to Frighten Timbuctoo"
19. "Trumpet Goes to the Seaside"
20 "Quack Dreams of a New Beak"
21. "Buzz is a Very Busy Bee"
22. "Growl Has a Fright"
23. "Baa Goes Shopping"
24. "Sniff Runs Out of Carrots"
25. "Bray Sleeps Through Christmas"
26. "Squawk Joins the Choir"