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Retrontario

@retrontario

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👀
⭐️ NEW BOOK AVAILABLE NOW! ⭐️
ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV
🍁”A parade of the beloved”🍁
🍒 1970s 1980s 1990s 🍒

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So excited to announce the publication of my first book! Releasing this Fall from @DundurnPress, ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV is a memory-filled trip for anyone who spent their weekdays after school or Saturday mornings staring at the squawk box. Featuring a complete chronology from the birth of Television in Canada right through to the new millennium, ImagiNation spans all of our TV favourites from Uncle Chichimus, The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, Razzle Dazzle, Uncle Bobby and Mr. Rogers through The Littlest Hobo, Polka Dot Door, Degrassi, Today’s Special, The Edison Twins, Fraggle Rock, Nanalan’ and lots more! The story of each Toronto-produced series is covered — from inception through production to broadcast — along with the tales of local stations and the people who made it all happen. Drawing from decades of my celebrated work with @Retrontario, ImagiNation shines a light on the uniquely Canadian creators, innovators, and iconic moments that helped shape our shared cultural landscape. Combining archival materials, exclusive interviews, and never-before-told anecdotes, the book serves as both a nostalgic trip and an eye-opening history lesson for readers of all generations.
Now available for pre-order! Please visit link in bio taken in Toronto, Ontario by @retrontario

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2 years ago

Cyberjamming with CD-Roms and Netscape… the future is NOW 💥 by @retrontario

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a day ago

A short clip from the final episode of Electric Circus hosted by the dearly beloved Juliette Powell (RIP)
We miss this lost Toronto of 2000 very much, so full of life and adventure. People living their best life ❤️ taken in 299 Queen Street West by @retrontario

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3 days ago

✨You are tuned to CFTO TV channel 9 in Toronto cable 8 ✨ by @retrontario

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5 days ago

The amazing @jennifervalentyne cameos in this 1990 spot for MuchMusic Video Parties - an unforgettable mobile disco with moving pictures 🕺💃🪩📺 by @retrontario

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7 days ago

GOOD FOR YOU SON 🙏 taken in Norwich Union by @retrontario

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9 days ago

Don’t smoke buddha, can’t stand sess, yes ✌️ taken in 1989 by @retrontario

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11 days ago

🙌🏻 My first book has been nominated for a 2026 Heritage Toronto Book Award @heritagetoronto 🥳📚

Between 1952 and 2000, Toronto experienced a golden age in the production of local children’s television programs. ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV is the incredible true story of how a motley crew of Toronto folk quietly revolutionized the medium of children’s television with limited budgets and unlimited imagination.

Fans of Polka Dot Door, Degrassi Junior High, Readalong, YTV, Uncle Bobby, Mr. Dressup, and much more will find their favourites — plus shows they’ve forgotten they loved (or loathed). Whether you adored Jerome the Giraffe, Hammy the Hamster, the Fraggles, or the Grogs, ImagiNation is a trip you won’t want to miss.

Thank you as always to @dundurnpress for believing in this project, @keoghstudio for all her tireless help and @scottbrianwoods for the simply brilliant cover art 💪✨ taken in Toronto, Ontario by @retrontario

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15 days ago

Was it real, or was it…. TRIAMINICOL 🤢☠️ by @retrontario

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16 days ago

Retrontario is saddened to hear of the passing of the great artist and Scarborough native Andy Donato. Best known for his editorial cartoons which appeared in the Toronto Telegram and later Toronto Sun, Donato was also a prolific landscape and sports artist. Always love seeing his work at Harbour Gallery. R.I.P., Andy 🙏✨❤️ taken in Scarborough by @retrontario

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16 days ago

Retrontario is saddened to hear of the passing of the G.O.A.T George Chuvalo, Canada’s greatest boxer 🙏 In addition to everything else he did, George dabbled in acting with a brilliant cameo as a heavy in Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986). Here he is hot stepping to some bionic Russian spies in The New Avengers (1977). Legend both inside and outside the ring 🙏 Rest in Power George ✨💪❤️ by @retrontario

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19 days ago

Nothing like a blast of televisual LSD when you woke up too early for The Smurfs 😵‍💫 #billyvan #hilarioushouseoffrightenstein taken in Hamilton, Ontario by @retrontario

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23 days ago