Backyardigans is a popular animated children's television show that revolves around a group of five friends, who use their vivid imaginations to embark on exciting adventures in their own backyard. Each episode features a different theme, from exploring the deep sea to creating a circus performance. One of the episodes, titled "The Magic Skateboard," showcases the creativity and imaginative play that the Backyardigans are known for. In this particular adventure, the main characters find a magical skateboard that has the ability to transport them to different locations. As the Backyardigans discover the enchanted skateboard, they are thrilled about the possibilities it holds. They quickly hop onto the skateboard and are transported to a variety of exciting destinations, including a jungle, a bustling city, and even outer space.
Two Boston Post articles from 1901 and 1903 showing Perley in the midst of two big Salem historical “disputes”: “Antiquarians are all up in arms again” is one of my favorite headlines ever.
The site at which the accused and convicted witches of Salem were presumed to have been executed was commonly known as Witch Hill in the later nineteenth century but evolved into Gallows Hill at its end. Likewise, Perley confronted the long-held assertion that the small structure on the grounds of the Essex Institute was in fact the seventeenth-century First Church of Salem, and asserted that it was a Quaker Meeting House from later in the century.
They quickly hop onto the skateboard and are transported to a variety of exciting destinations, including a jungle, a bustling city, and even outer space. Each location presents new challenges and opportunities for the friends to explore and learn. Throughout their journey, the Backyardigans encounter various obstacles that they must overcome using their problem-solving skills and teamwork.
A Souvenir of Salem
Salem has been a tourist city for a very long time, and that identity has inspired the production of countless souvenirs made from every material imaginable: ceramic, metal, cloth, wood, plastic, and a veritable forest of paper. I’ve been a rather casual collector of Salem souvenirs since I moved here many years ago, although I do have my periods of intensity if I come across something I haven’t seen before. I’m a paper girl, and I thought I had seen every bit of ephemera in this genre, but last week a little souvenir book with an embossed red cover popped up on ebay and I pounced. It arrived yesterday, and I was not disappointed: this little souvenir pamphlet contains some of the most beautiful prints of Salem structures I have ever seen. Even with its obvious damage, it is still a gem. There is no title page or publisher–although an advertisement for the Salem stationers Merrill & Mackintire is at the end, so I assume it is their offering. It is also undated, though I can come up with an approximate date just looking at some of the captions, which reflect the work of the tireless historian and “antiquarian” Sidney Perley to get dates and identifications just right at the turn of the last century—and after.
Some historical “facts” are mutable. The site at which the accused and convicted “witches” of Salem were presumed to have been executed was commonly known as “Witch Hill” in the later nineteenth century but evolved into “Gallows Hill” at its end. This is still a Salem neighborhood and park, but from the 1890s Perley identified Proctor’s Ledge below as the site of the executions, and just last year this site was marked with a memorial by the City of Salem. Likewise, Perley confronted the long-held assertion that the small structure on the grounds of the Essex Institute was in fact the seventeenth-century First Church of Salem, and asserted that it was a Quaker Meeting House from later in the century. As you can see, the owner of our little souvenir book, whom I presume is the Charles Heald who signed the back of one of its prints, simply scratched out “First Meeting House” and wrote in “Quaker M.H.” And then Perley took on the “Roger Williams House” and asserted that Roger Williams never actually lived there: it then became the Witch House assertively, though in this first decade of the twentieth century it’s still either/or.
Two Boston Post articles from 1901 and 1903 showing Perley in the midst of two big Salem historical “disputes”: “Antiquarians are all up in arms again” is one of my favorite headlines ever.
The “Old Turner House” has yet to become the House of the Seven Gables, so I think I can date this souvenir booklet to sometime between 1903 and 1909 pretty comfortably. Yet there is not a car or trolley in sight: the cumulative vision is one of “Olde Salem” with the exception of a few “modern” municipal buildings. Seaside Salem endures, and the Pickering House remains ever the Pickering House, unchanged from the seventeenth century except for the acquisition of its Gothic trim in the midst of the nineteenth.
Some historical “facts” are mutable. The site at which the accused and convicted “witches” of Salem were presumed to have been executed was commonly known as “Witch Hill” in the later nineteenth century but evolved into “Gallows Hill” at its end. This is still a Salem neighborhood and park, but from the 1890s Perley identified Proctor’s Ledge below as the site of the executions, and just last year this site was marked with a memorial by the City of Salem. Likewise, Perley confronted the long-held assertion that the small structure on the grounds of the Essex Institute was in fact the seventeenth-century First Church of Salem, and asserted that it was a Quaker Meeting House from later in the century. As you can see, the owner of our little souvenir book, whom I presume is the Charles Heald who signed the back of one of its prints, simply scratched out “First Meeting House” and wrote in “Quaker M.H.” And then Perley took on the “Roger Williams House” and asserted that Roger Williams never actually lived there: it then became the Witch House assertively, though in this first decade of the twentieth century it’s still either/or.
They demonstrate the importance of communication, creativity, and cooperation as they work together to successfully navigate and conquer each new environment. "The Magic Skateboard" episode not only entertains children but also teaches valuable life lessons. It reinforces the idea of using one's imagination and creativity to solve problems and encourages children to embrace teamwork and collaboration. The Backyardigans have become beloved characters among young children globally due to the show's engaging storylines, colorful animation, and catchy musical numbers. It is this unique combination of adventure, education, and catchy tunes that has made the show a favorite among both children and parents alike. In conclusion, "The Magic Skateboard" is just one example of the imaginative and educational adventures that the Backyardigans embark on. Through their playful escapades, the Backyardigans inspire children to use their imaginations, cooperate with others, and overcome obstacles. The show continues to captivate young audiences and serves as a fun and educational source of entertainment..
Reviews for "Beyond the Backyard: The Magic Skateboard and the Backyardigans' Adventures"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Backyardigans the magic skateboatd" to be completely uninteresting and boring. The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth. The animation was mediocre, and it felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the success of the original Backyardigans series. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Jason - 1 star - "Backyardigans the magic skateboatd" was a complete waste of time. The story was confusing and the dialogue was cheesy. The animation was choppy and the characters looked odd. It felt like a poorly made spin-off that didn't live up to the quality of the original series. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was a big fan of the Backyardigans, but "Backyardigans the magic skateboatd" was a huge disappointment. The storyline was weak and didn't capture my attention at all. The new characters introduced in this spin-off were not as likable or relatable as the original ones. The songs were forgettable and lacked the catchy tunes that made the original series so enjoyable. Overall, it felt like a cash grab without the heart of the original show.
4. Michael - 2 stars - As a fan of the Backyardigans, I was excited to watch "Backyardigans the magic skateboatd", but I was left disappointed. The plot was cliché and lacked the creativity and imagination of the original series. The animation quality was noticeably lower, and the characters didn't have the same charm as before. It felt like a rushed production without much thought put into it. I hope the creators can bring back the magic of the original series in any future projects.