The Beloved PBS Classic ‘Wishbone’ Started in North Texas

Growing up in the '90s, for me, meant getting home just in time to watch a little dog teach me about some of the greatest works of literature ever written.

Before BookTok and social media were recommending fantasy novels and before streaming services put entire libraries of content at our fingertips, there was a little Jack Russell terrier named Wishbone.

Every week, I tuned in to watch that dog tackle fictional monsters, dress up as a knight, become Sherlock Holmes or Robin Hood, and somehow get himself into another adventure. Looking back, it's probably one of the first shows that made me excited about stories and reading. As an avid reader today, I can honestly see how much that little PBS series shaped my relationship with books.

That's why learning that Wishbone was actually a Texas production feels like discovering a hidden piece of childhood trivia I never knew I needed.

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A New Documentary Is Celebrating Wishbone's Texas Roots

A new documentary, What's the Story, Wishbone?, (a cute nod to the theme song) is taking fans behind the scenes of the beloved PBS series and celebrating the people who brought the talking dog to life.

Even cooler? The show wasn't created in Hollywood. Wishbone was developed and produced in North Texas by a team of creators who turned a Jack Russell terrier named Soccer into one of public television's most memorable stars.

For plenty of Texans, it's a fun little reminder that one of the most beloved children's shows of the '90s was homegrown all along.

How a Little Dog From Texas Made Reading Feel Like an Adventure

Part of Wishbone's magic was that it never felt like homework.

Sure, the show was introducing kids to classic literature, but it did so through sword fights, mysteries, costumes and adventures- and he was a cute dog!

For a lot of us, it was our first introduction to stories that we would eventually encounter again in school or seek out on our own. Somehow, this little dog made classic books feel fun instead of intimidating.

That's no small accomplishment.

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Why Wishbone Still Holds a Special Place for '90s Kids

Maybe it's because the show reminds us of younger days sitting in front of the television with no worries. Maybe it's because so many of us grew up alongside Wishbone and didn't realize it was quietly teaching us about literature the entire time.

Or maybe it's simply because there has never been another show quite like it.

Either way, learning that Wishbone has deep Texas roots only makes me appreciate it even more. And now, like any good story, this one has me wanting to check out the documentary and revisit the adventures of the little dog who may have helped turn an entire generation into readers.