Classic children’s TV series Bagpuss, one of the UK’s most cherished programmes, is set to make its debut in audiobook format, Framewood Media has announced. The first thirteen episodes, bringing the magical world of the saggy, lovable cloth cat to a new medium, will be released on 19 November 2024. This marks Framewood Media’s entry into the audiobook market, with plans to release over 170 episodes from the Smallfilms archive, including The Clangers, Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog, Pogles Wood, and Pingwings, over the next year.
First broadcast in 1974, Bagpuss quickly became a beloved part of British children’s television, gaining a special place in viewers’ hearts through its gentle storytelling and unique cast of characters. Created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, the series follows Bagpuss and his friends in a shop where lost or broken items are magically repaired. In a 1999 poll, it was voted the UK’s favourite children’s TV show, a testament to its enduring popularity.
Oliver Postgate, who both wrote and narrated the show, famously described Bagpuss as “a piece of gentleness, really.” By transforming Bagpuss into an audiobook, Framewood Media hopes to capture this “gentleness” for a new generation. Alice Dyson, CEO of Framewood Media, explained that the audio format preserves the show’s essence by encouraging young listeners to “close their eyes and listen,” much like audiences of past generations once gathered around the radio. The nostalgia of Bagpuss and other Smallfilms classics, Dyson said, offers a “magical experience for children and adults alike.”
In addition to its appeal for long-time fans, the audiobook release of Bagpuss arrives at a time when audiobooks for children are gaining in popularity. Studies indicate that listening to audiobooks can boost children’s language skills, comprehension, and creativity while offering a screen-free storytelling option. Dyson noted that audiobooks provide a calm and accessible way for children to engage with stories and promote a unique kind of imaginative escape.
Framewood Media’s ambition with this project goes beyond Bagpuss, as the company is committed to making the full Smallfilms collection accessible in audio form. Dyson believes these timeless stories resonate as strongly today as they did decades ago, making them ideal for this format. According to a recent article in The Guardian, Bagpuss exemplifies storytelling that celebrates simplicity and imagination, and Framewood Media aims to carry this ethos into its entire Smallfilms release.
The Bagpuss audiobook will be available on major digital platforms including Audible, Apple Books, and Spotify, allowing families to rediscover and share the beloved series. By the end of 2025, Framewood Media plans to make the entire Smallfilms archive available, inviting listeners of all ages to experience the nostalgia and timeless charm of some of Britain’s most treasured children’s stories.
With this release, Framewood Media positions itself as a key player in the children’s audiobook market, committed to preserving and sharing classic tales with new and long-standing audiences alike.