Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993 TAG: 9304210152
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEVE MCKERROW THE BALTIMORE SUN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I don't think TV has to be a negative factor in keeping people from reading, at all," he says over the phone from Toronto, where he lives and works.
In fact, while watching TV as a "The Magic Paintbrush" airs tonight at 8:30 on WDBJ (Channel 7). child himself, the 39-year-old divulges, "I would be very much interested in going out and reading more" after viewing certain programs. He cites the old cartoon series "Hercules" as an example.
"It was a really terrible show, but what it did was give me an interest in Greek mythology," he explains.
He hopes "The Magic Paintbrush" similarly stimulates young viewers to read his and other books, for that is the stated goal of this McDonald's Family Theater presentation. The show airs as an observance of National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association.
Muller's story, which won the Governor's General Award for children's literature in Canada, is based on a Chinese folk legend and tells the tale of a young boy named Nib, who gains a paintbrush capable of making whatever it creates come alive.
"In many ways I was investing in the story my own experiences asa child," Muller says, noting that even the character's name is an anagram of the last three letters of his first name.
Muller says he fell in love with art at 13, especially with the work of Toulouse Lautrec. He saw on TV the film "Moulin Rouge: The Life of Tolouse Latrec," and ever since has used a toothbrush in creating his illustrations, as he saw in the film.
"To be successful in children's material, the most important quality you have to have is to remember. . . . If you can remember, the kids will experience it as being true," he maintains.
The author praises the production team's approach to "The Magic Paintbrush." Earl Hamner, creator of "The Waltons," and Don Sipe, a former head of Universal Television and MGM/UA studios, wrote the teleplay. Actor Michael York provides the voice of "The King," the story's villain.
"They've actually kept my illustrations very nicely in the animation. Even facially they look likethe characters in the book. They The show airs as an observance of National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association. really have made it as book-like as possible," says Muller. This was his first work adapted to TV.
"Whenever there is a TV program based on good children's literature, librarians are inundated with requests for the book, or for other books by the author," adds Kathy East, president of the Association for Library Service to Children.
Elsewhere on TV
ABC plans to develop a news program aimed at kids to air as part of its Saturday morning schedule. A spokeswoman said the news division was "enthusiastic about putting together some sort of children's news program" but that there were no specifics. "It's a high priority for the network and something we want to do sooner, not later."
ABC has been very successful in past outings with news aimed at kids, including a recent town meeting with President Clinton. Anchor Peter Jennings is expected to host two children-oriented news programs next season.
Saxman David Sanborn will be playing every Friday with Paul Schaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band on "Late Night with David Letterman" (12:35 a.m. on WSLS-Channel 10), until Letterman departs NBC in June.
Margaret Larson, news anchor on NBC's "Today," is leaving at the end of May. She follows husband-producer Tim Larson to Seattle, where he's joining KIRO-TV.
Pete Williams, who joined NBC News last month, after leaping to prominence as the Pentagon spokesman during the Gulf War, will cover the Justice Department. In a flip-flop of sorts, he replaces Carl Stern, who left to become head of the Justice Department's public affairs unit.
by CNB