Children like Willie

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 15

Children like Willie

One of the most popular local characters on television these days is a mouse with Scottish ancestors and close relatives in Dunedin, Willie McNab. Kilt-wearing Willie is seen here with the host of “Chi-

■ caboom,” Chic Littlewood.; Willie, who appears with Chic in the afternoons, re- : ceived more than 6000 letters in the first five weeks i “Chicaboom” was on air. Wee Willie is at his liveli- 1 est when his good friend : Alma Woods (Mrs Tindall in 1 “A Going Concern,”), is 1 close behind him. The two are almost inseparable; they travel from Auckland every ' week so that Willie caii 1 appear with Chic. Alma says Willie is just [I ■as likeable at home as he is] ion screen although he isl [constantly getting into mis- ! chief. [ “I’m often amazed at the ■ ages of children that seem 1 i to watch him,” she said. | | “Even teen-agers like , Willie.” 1 One of her most reward-' 1 ing moments during herji friendship with Willie was), the day she took him out toj' the Kelston School for the ‘ Deaf in Auckland. A 15- 1 '

year-old boy who had rarely' shown any sign of commun-i ication with the world out-' side him immediately recog- ■ nised Willie. “He rushed off, found al map and pointed out Scotland on it,” she said. “Hej knew where Willie's kiltl came from.” A cassette featuring Williel is available for blind child-' ren, and Alma has written a. book on his adventures' which she hopes to have' published before Christmas. I