100 OBJECTS OF ‘90S CHILDREN’S TV
Candy Jar Books is happy to announce the upcoming release of 100 Objects of ‘90s Children’s TV, a mammoth publication celebrating a whole decade of kids’ television.
The book plunges readers back to the 1990s, wrapping them in the nostalgic warmth of an era that brought us such icons as Arthur, The Powerpuff Girls, Reboot, Hey Arnold!, Fireman Sam, Rugrats, The Treacle People, Art Attack, Come Outside, and SM:TV Live.
Oh, and Mr Blobby.
Author, Thom Gray takes us on a journey through the pre-Millennium televisual landscape, told through one-hundred chapters, with shows and genres represented through select ‘objects’ such as the paintball gun that blinded PJ in Byker Grove; the magical 50p from The Queen’s Nose; the equally mystical William’s Wish Wellingtons; the terrifying Forfeit Furnace from Get Your Own Back; and Mildred Hubble’s Broomstick.
Shaun Russell, Head of Publishing at Candy Jar Books, says:
“I actually worked behind the scenes on TV from 1985 to 2005, so thought I knew everything there was to know about this period. Then I looked through Thom’s incredible book and found out loads of new information! It’s a really fascinating read, which I know will bring back lots of lovely memories for readers – whether they were children themselves in the 1990s or are parents remembering when their kids were sat too close to the TV during Grange Hill.”
100 Objects of ‘90s Children’s TV features contributions from Sir Tony Robinson (Maid Marian and Her Merry Men); Pat Sharp (Fun House); best-selling author Mark Billingham; Anne Wood (Rosie & Jim, Teletubbies); Tim Whitnall (Mike & Angelo); Paul Abbott (Children’s Ward); Gareth Jones (How 2); Matthew Robinson (Byker Grove); Mike Jupp (The Dreamstone); Andrew Norriss (Bernard’s Watch); and many more.
Thom enthuses:
“Growing up, I had many TV favourites which shaped my childhood and no doubt the childhoods of millions of other ‘90s kids, be it a whimsical puppet show, nail-biting drama, or chaotic game show. Yet despite the quality of the programmes the ‘90s had to offer, I feel the decade is rarely acknowledged within the history of children’s TV, overlooked in favour of the ‘golden era’ of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. This book offers children of the ‘90s (and those who missed all the fun the first time round) a chance to reconnect with the last great decade of kids’ TV, featuring exclusive contributions from those who were there at the time.
“It’s been incredibly nostalgic for me to rediscover the shows that shaped my childhood, but also fascinating to hear the stories behind their creation and production. So, whether you grew up with Otis the Aardvark and Mr Blobby, or were born just a bit too late, I hope this book gives ‘90s fans an enjoyable trip down memory lane!”
The book also features a stunning cover and interior illustrations by Martin Baines, and a foreword by former Live & Kicking presenter, Steve Wilson. He writes: “What this book captures so brilliantly is that children’s television was never just background noise. It shaped generations. Those shows are far more than just something we watched to pass the time. They are time machines… Back then, millions of us watched the same things together, at exactly the same time, and those programmes became part of our shared national identity. I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced it both as a viewer and as a presenter.”
The book is the second in Candy Jar’s 100 Objects range, which began with Philip Bates’ 100 Objects of Dr Who.
He says:
“I couldn’t imagine anyone more suited to writing 100 Objects of ‘90s Children’s TV than Thom. He absolutely revels in that era and his passion for it really rubs off. I always view the ‘90s with rose-tinted glasses, and, having proofed Thom’s book, I was sent back there before returning with a huge grin on my face. A joy.”
Here’s the blurb for 100 Objects of ‘90s Children’s TV:
Have you ever wondered what Tubby Toast tastes like? Did Byker Grove give you a lifelong phobia of paintball guns? Do you still occasionally set your alarm for 9.25am for fear of missing SM:TV Live? And whatever happened to Otis the Aardvark?
If these questions mean anything to you, 100 Objects of 90s Children’s TV is the book you’ve been waiting for. Lovingly compiled and featuring all your Saturday morning and weekday afternoon favourites from the last great decade of kids’ telly, you can finally discover the answers to those nagging questions that have kept you awake since the Millennium, as well as discovering how instant mashed potato played a part in the creation of The Riddlers, which game show traumatised toddlers by burning teddy bears, and how Carol Vorderman ended up presenting an episode of Art Attack – plus so much more useless information you’ve never realised you needed to know.
Featuring contributions from: Sir Tony Robinson (Maid Marian and Her Merry Men), Pat Sharp (Fun House), Anne Wood (Rosie & Jim, Teletubbies), Tim Whitnall (Mike & Angelo), Paul Abbott (Children’s Ward), Gareth Jones (How 2), Matthew Robinson (Byker Grove), Mike Jupp (The Dreamstone), Andrew Norriss (Bernard’s Watch), and many more!
100 Objects of ‘90s Children’s TV is available to pre-order now from Candy Jar Books and all good bookshops, and will be released on 30th July 2026. Pre-order now and we won’t cover you in gunge.
LUCY WILSON: THE THREE LUCYS, ALONGSIDE THE GAMES MASTER
Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce a special novel in its successful Lucy Wilson range, The Three Lucys – due out later this month!
The Lucy Wilson Mysteries features the granddaughter of Doctor Who legend, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, as she battles alien invaders alongside her best friend, Hobo. While The Three Lucys is the landmark thirtieth book in the popular series, it’s designed to welcome readers new and old alike.
And it’s perfect for Doctor Who fans, who will immediately recognise the title’s allusion to Who’s tenth anniversary special, The Three Doctors.
The book is released later this month (June 2026) to celebrate Candy Jar Books’ fifteenth anniversary.
In The Three Lucys, Lucy Wilson meets two other versions of herself: one, a middle-aged professor who is fleeing mysterious ‘chaos’ that’s unravelling time and space; and the other, a young girl held captive at a sinister military installation.
Beyond the title, there are plenty of Doctor Who Easter eggs inside, as author Philip Bates (Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants) explains: “Shaun [Russell, Head of Publishing] approached me to write a Lucy that pays homage to The Three Doctors – hugely exciting not just because it’s to celebrate a big anniversary but also as it’s my first full Lucy Wilson novel – so I mapped out my idea against the plot of that serial, taking inspiration from its villain and his antimatter world.
“I sprinkled references to Who throughout: most notably, the majority of the chapter titles come from the Target novelisation of The Three Doctors, albeit giving a few a uniquely ‘Lucy’ twist. I’m especially proud of refashioning ‘A Shock for the Brigadier’ – a character who doesn’t appear in The Three Lucys, but is certainly there in spirit.”
Philip has previously edited Lucy Wilson books and written short stories for the canon including ‘The Labours of Lucy Wilson’, published in Back in London (2025), and two recent ‘freebies’ that give fans a taste of what’s to come in The Three Lucys. He continues: “Anyone who read ‘100 Things That Happened on Easter Island’ and ‘The Green Dog’ will already have met Professor Lucy Wilson; now, fans can find out more about Lucy-in-the-future and the ‘chaos’ she’s running from…”
The Three Lucys will be released at the same time as Paul Wines’ The Games Master, a book initially only available at the Barry Card and Collector Con 2026.
Blurb for The Three Lucys:
‘Me don’t know what’s happening.’
One day, Lucy Wilson wakes up and suddenly can’t say the word ‘I’. Its meaning begins to dissolve in her head, and soon, the effect spreads. She finds it difficult to remember what
day comes after Thursday. At school, she forgets what the lesson about numbers is called.
How long before she loses the names of her own parents? Or her best friend, Hobo? And she’s not the only one. Or maybe she is?
Someone is stealing the words from numerous Lucy Wilsons across time and space. The first is a middle-aged professor. The second is a rebellious teenager. And the third is our Lucy: pulled from her universe, running out of words, running out of hope!
Blurb for The Games Master
It’s the only thing anyone’s been talking about – even Lucy and Hobo, and they see real aliens and monsters all the time!
But the Games Master has been plotting. The next level of the game is afoot… and he knows that every great detective needs a trusted companion.
For Sherlock Holmes, it’s Watson. For Lucy Wilson, it’s Hobo.
With everyone at the Comic Con in danger, can our favourite duo solve the mystery before things get out of hand?
THE RETURN OF THE DOMINATORS!
Candy Jar Books is delighted to announce the forthcoming illustrated hardback edition of Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters.
Alongside the novel, every copy will include an exclusive Dominators novella, The Miriamis Manoeuvre by Tim Gambrell, making this a must-have addition to every Doctor Who fan’s collection. This will not be available separately.
Following the success of the acclaimed illustrated editions of Beast of Fang Rock and The Grandfather Infestation, Mutually Assured Domination continues Candy Jar Books’ celebration of the classic Target novels of the early 1970s, complete with evocative black-and-white illustrations that capture the spirit of a golden age of Doctor Who publishing.
Created by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln for the 1968 television story The Dominators, the ruthless alien conquerors and their diminutive robotic servants, the Quarks, were intended to become the next great Doctor Who monsters. Although the Quarks enjoyed a handful of appearances in comics, both they and their masters largely disappeared from the Whoniverse.
Until now.
Nick Walters’ Mutually Assured Domination builds upon the themes that inspired their original television adventure. Conceived during the height of the Cold War, The Dominators served as a powerful allegory for the fear of nuclear conflict. Nick takes those ideas in bold new directions, delivering an adventure that is every bit as thought-provoking as it is action-packed.
Nick said:
“I’m so chuffed that Mutually Assured Domination is getting the illustrated treatment. It was my first contribution to the Lethbridge-Stewart range, so it’s wonderful to see it brought to life in this way. Martin’s illustrations perfectly capture the atmosphere of the story and pay tribute to those classic Target books that inspired so many of us. I also hope this won’t be the last we’ve seen of the Dominators, as I’d love to write more adventures featuring them very soon.”
The illustrations are by acclaimed artist Martin Baines, whose artwork brings the Dominators, Quarks and their worlds vividly to life.
Martin said:
“Like Beast of Fang Rock and The Grandfather Infestation, I read the novel and chose the scenes that I thought would best capture the atmosphere and excitement of the story. I’ve always been fascinated by the Cold War themes that underpin The Dominators, and the chance to draw the Quarks again was simply irresistible. I hope the illustrations evoke the feel of those classic Target books while bringing something fresh to Nick’s adventure.”
Included exclusively with the illustrated edition, The Miriamis Manoeuvre by Tim Gambrell follows a Dominator expedition to the seemingly defenceless world of Miriamis, a peaceful paradise rich in volcanic energy and perfectly suited to become a refuelling station for the Dominator fleet. But when the latest mission discovers that an earlier Dominator force vanished without trace, the invaders uncover secrets buried deep beneath the planet’s surface that threaten everything they thought they knew.
Tim Gambrell said:
“This story was hugely enjoyable to write and hopefully will be great fun to read. After many years of writing mainly Earth-based stories for Candy Jar, it was very refreshing to let my mind slip into flights of fancy and to create and populate a whole alien world from scratch.
“It was also fun (not to mention a challenge!) to play with how the reader relates to the Dominator characters, and how that can change throughout the course of a narrative. They are our way into these stories, but they aren’t necessarily the heroes – or the villains, either. Life is never that simple, and often perspectives can change as events unfold.”
Combining a brand-new adventure, stunning illustrations inspired by the beloved Target books, an exclusive companion novella and a collector’s postcard, Mutually Assured Domination is an unmissable release for Doctor Who fans. Nearly six decades after their television debut, the Dominators and Quarks are back, ready to prove why they remain among the series’ most distinctive and intriguing creations.
https://www.candy-jar-store.co.uk/product/mutually-assured-domination-illustrated-edition
