HBO Storybook Musicals


HBO Storybook Musicals is a series of television specials that aired on HBO, combining animation that is true to the original storybook's illustrations, plus high-spirited songs from musical songwriters. The specials have also aired on HBO Family.

Background

When Doctor DeSoto was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated short film, HBO and Michael Sporn agreed to making animated specials for network. HBO also oriented on family-friendly programs and never financed/produced a children's television series. Michael Sporn directed and produced Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical, HBO's first animated television special and aired on November 18, 1987. Then, HBO presented a few animated specials, such as The Story of the Dancing Frog, The Red Shoes and Earthday Birthday, which aired in early 1990. The specials combined illustrations with songs.

Episodes

The first four episodes originally aired as individual, stand-alone TV specials; the HBO Storybook Musicals branding was introduced with the fifth episode. 18 episodes of HBO Storybook Musicals aired from 1987 to 1993.
These specials are not officially considered a part of the HBO Storybook Musicals series, but they were branded as such when they aired on HBO; the specials haven't been shown on HBO since 1998.