Seeing Things

Oliver Postgate created timeless pieces of visual stimulus for our childhoods. This loving and beautifully constructed autobiography tells the story of the mind that created Bagpuss, The Clangers and Noggin the Nog. It tells the story of a wonderful imaginationan unconventional life, from early family memories (his father Ray started The Good Food Guide), education at Dartington Hall, a stint in prison as a conscientious objector in the Second World War, through a succession of jobs until he found the perfect blend of acting, writing and invention in the formative years of children's television.

With artist Peter Firmin, and working from a disused cow byre in Canterbury utilising anything that came to hand, they created a dozen or so worlds that have never gone away, from Noggin the Nog and Ivor the Engine to The Clangers. He gets to Bagpuss eventually, holding off for the big draw, and when he talks about the cat, going into lots of background details and trivia, you'll be glad you persisted with the book.

It's a good read too, and Postgate writes with conviction and passion, making this an enjoyable autobiography about a strange and wonderful man.