The Book Place: The Bookworm

This clip comes from the very first episode of the beloved ’90s kids’ show The Book Place. Produced in South Australia and part of a golden era of Australian children’s TV, the series mixed literacy education with entertainment. Nothing embodied that mix more than its most iconic (and divisive) character: the Bookworm puppet, voiced by Michael Scheld.

Designed to hook kids on reading, Bookworm was big on personality – all wriggling body, googly eyes, and boundless energy. For some, he was charming; for others, downright creepy. That uncanny vibe wasn’t unusual for the time. With tight budgets and a reliance on puppetry and practical effects, many ’90s kids’ shows had characters that felt whimsical then, but surreal – sometimes unsettling – when revisited today.