One of the KING 5 favorites from the early years was Wunda Wunda, a children's series aimed at the pre-school set.
Ruth Prins was an actor and University of Washington drama teacher in 1950 when she was recruited by Dorothy Bullitt to be the Story Lady for Televenture Tales. Each week she read a chapter from a book to a group of 4th through 6th who were chosen from a local school.
The show was a hit, and received praise from parents and teachers.
In 1953, Prins became Wunda Wunda. Dressed as a colorful harlequin with clown make-up, she sang songs and taught manners to preschoolers.
Everyone knew the Wunda Wunda song:
Wunda Wunda is my name. Oh boys and girls, I'm glad you came. We'll have fun as I explain, how we play our Wunda games.
Let me take you by the hand and we'll go to Wonderland. There we'll play with every friend The Wunda games of let's pretend.
The cast of characters included Henry Happy Goose, Albert Owl, Friendly Tiger, Benjie Bear, Suzabella and Taggedy Andy.
The show aired at noon and gained two-thirds of the audience in that time slot.
In 1957, Wunda Wunda became the first local television show to win a prestigious Peabody Award.
Wunda Wunda ran for 20 years – until 1972.
