Time travel just got cooler for kids.
The “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum” adventure series debuted on Nov. 11 on PBS Kids’ digital platforms.
The adventures are based on the best-selling children’s book “Ordinary People Change the World” by author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Christopher Eliopoulous — with more than 2.5 million books in print. The show’s look is based on Eliopoulous’ distinct style.
The series follows the adventures of Xavier Riddle, his sister Yadina and their friend Brad. Each episode finds the trio solving a new problem, with the help of the Secret Museum. To find answers, they meet real-life historical figures, such as Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Justice Sonia Sonomayor and Leonardo da Vinci, who double as role models.
The target audience is kids 4 to 7 and the goal is to produce entertaining, but teachable moments about the value of key character traits, such as courage, caring and resilience. The show is produced by 9 Story’s animation studio, Brown Bag Films.
9 Story’s Chief Creative Officer Angela Santomero says “Xavier Riddle” lets kids know they have “the curiosity and adventurous spirit to change the world.” Author Metzer adds: “When my own kids watch this series, I get to see them realize that there’s extraordinary within the ordinary.”
Kids and parents can also stream episodes across PBS Kids’ video app, pbskids.org and the free PBS Kids games app, as well as watch on PBS Kids stations.
Brown Bag Films is acclaimed for children’s TV shows such as “Wild Kratts” and “The Magic School Bus: Rides Again.”