We recently had so much fun talking to the main cast of Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, PBS Kids’ animated hit series based on the best-selling books Ordinary People Change the World by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos. In this adventure-comedy, kids get to follow along with Xavier, his little sister Yadina and best friend Brad as they travel through time to meet famous heroes of the past and learn how to be their own heroes!
And now without further ado, let’s get to know Brad, Xavier and Yadina, and find out a little more about their many adventures through time and the lessons they’ve learned along the way!
KIDDIE ACADEMY: Hi Brad, Xavier, and Yadina!
YADINA: And don’t forget Dr. Zoom! [Squeezes a green plush turtle in an enthusiastic hug!]
KA: Oh, apologies, and hello Dr. Zoom! Are we good to start the interview?
XAVIER: Absolutely! Let’s get this adventure started!
KA: Which two historic figures that you met would you like to introduce to one another?
YADINA: Oh, I know! Wouldn’t it be amazing if writers Maya Angelou and Sir Arthur Canon Doyle could meet! Just imagine those two literary icons going for lunch to talk about how they used their words for good. I bet they would both learn a lot listening to each other’s stories!
KA: How do you decide who to visit?
XAVIER: Actually, we don’t decide, the Secret Museum does. Here is how it works – whenever we have a problem that needs solving, we head to the Secret Museum. And then, the Secret Museum sends us back in time to meet an AH-MAZING hero from the past, who helps teach us a lesson on how to solve the problem at hand. For example, when I was having trouble getting better at playing my recorder for a really big performance at school, the Secret Museum sent us back in time to meet Johann Sebastian Bach, who taught us that if you want to get better at something, you have to work hard and practice!
KA: Who is the favorite hero you’ve met?
BRAD: This is an IMPOSSIBLE question – we could never choose just one! Every hero we meet has something amazing to teach us. For example, Marie Curie, a brilliant physicist and chemist, taught us to follow our dreams, no matter what! The honorable Thurgood Marshall showed us it was important to be fair to everyone. Writer Mark Twain reminded us that laughter can make hard things easier. And activist Rosa Parks taught us that everyone should be treated equally. And remember when pilot Amelia Earhart told us all to go for it? And then there was the time that…
XAVIER: I think they get the picture, Brad. But to help you sum it up – every hero we meet is our favorite.
KA: How do you determine who is a hero?
XAVIER: Well, this is an easy one – heroes are kids just like you and me, who grew up and changed the world!
KA: Not every kid has a Secret Museum or a Berby. How can they time travel?
YADINA: By using your IMAGINATION! Everyone has a Secret Museum hiding inside their minds. Just think of where you want to go and then imagine you are there! You can also use books and the internet (but make sure to ask your mom and dad for help) to research a person, place or thing you want to go back in time to explore. A little research can go a long way and take your imaginary time travels to a whole new level. Oh, and don’t forget to play pretend! We had a great lesson from the Bronte sisters about how there are many ways to use your imagination to come up with exciting story ideas – I bet they use the idea of time travel all the time when they are pretending and coming up with exciting new stories!
BRAD Also, one major bonus of time travel by imagination – you won’t get the dizzies!
KA: In your episode with him, why does little Leonardo da Vinci have a beard?
XAVIER: You know, we never asked him. But let me think… Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath, someone changed the world in many ways. In Leonardo’s case, he was a great inventor, builder, mathematician and painter. And since Leonardo da Vinci was one of the Renaissance’s most AH-MAZING polymaths, he was likely starting a new trend! Creatives are often known for their cool style.
KA: And for our final question, which time period has the best food?
YADINA: Any time period that has cheese and grape jelly sandwiches!
We want to give a big thank you to Xavier, Brad and Yadina for answering all our questions. Tune in to watch Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum on PBS Kids, the PBS Kids app or online.
Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care is a proud sponsor of Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, which offers relatable and meaningful takeaways for parents and children. Through the demonstration of social-emotional problems in each themed episode, we learn that each child faces their own obstacles, challenges their own fears, and learns in their own unique way. By meeting these famous figures from history when they were kids, children can learn that everyone can be a hero.
And the Xavier Riddle adventures don’t stop with your screen, there are many more ways to share in the fun, including books, games, and activities. Click here to learn more about this incredible series.
