I'd seen various books in this show's style but never got around to reading them until after the show premiered. The style is reminiscent of Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes but in some ways I like Xavier Riddle more than both of those combined. At least nobody is putting everyone down or bossing around the weaker ones like in those two aforementioned strips. Still, I like the lessons that Xavier Riddle and his little friends impart on their viewers and how they meet various folks from ancient history. It's a sweet combination and it's got time travel and comedy too. As of about a year or so ago, this is my new-favorite PBS show. I will watch more and I am ready for adventure. Won't you be?
13 Reviews
Very much like Superbook
baldwin_chiu17 January 2022
Good way to introduce kids to historical figures. They totally copied Superbook and honestly, Superbook is WAY better. But this is cute. It's very basic though and not as detailed as Superbook so you don't really learn a whole lot. You basically just learn who the person is and if you want to know more, you'd have to do your own research. The orb is like Superbook. Brad is like Gizmo the comic relief and scare-dy cat. And Xavier and his sister are like Chris and Joy. The new Superbook is 3D animation. XRSM is more cute. They need to have more Asian American historical characters like Wong Kim Ark and Dr. Mabel Lee. These are key Americans that fought for rights for all Americans.
My 4 year old loves the show
laurenkemerer11 November 2019
A good leap from the books
Cassandra-Kiley11 November 2019
My daughter (4), loves the Ordinary People Change the World books, and she loves this show!! They're pretty brief, but she's already asking me more about the historical figures, and they easily hold her attention the entire time. She would probably watch all the episodes that dropped, that's just too much tv.
Xavier Riddle
ccasmith-1225726 February 2020
Fantastic show!
dhbabich3 February 2020
Good concept, but...
arh-5174911 November 2019
This show has a good concept and interesting characters, but it does have some similarities to Superbook, such as when they flash forward in time, like in the Helen Keller episode, and how Burpy (Burby?) scans people. Even Brad has some similarities to Gizmo. Also, I would appreciate it if they elaborated more on what those historical figures did in the future, such as what impact Helen Keller made, and what books Zora Neale Hurston and Charles Dickens wrote.
One of the best shows
BoxwoodExpress22 June 2021
I can safely say that I'm a fan of the show and that the book translates well to television. This show demonstrates that despite all the awful things going on in the world, there is good, and that pretty much any kid can change the world by having the positive traits that the heroes on the show have.
Xavier, Yadina, and Brad are all likable, have character depth, and actually seem like real kids that you would meet. Xavier is the excitable one, Yadina is the cute, snarky little sister, and Brad is the perpetually nervous and neurotic one. He reminds of Pearl from Steven Universe and Sean from Ready Jet Go.
All the heroes on the show are ones to look up to. Harry Houdini was brave, Amelia Earhart went for it, Marie Curie followed her dream, Zora Neale Hurston was confident in sharing her stories, George Washington was a great leader, Helen Keller found a new way to speak, Johann Sebastian Bach practiced, and so on.
Let's talk about the animation and art style. The animation is fluid, and the effects used when the kids travel back in time are spectacular. The art style pays homage to the iconic Calvin and Hobbes and Peanuts comic strips, and just about everyone looks adorable. Please give this show a chance, it's not a "dumb baby show" or a "ripoff", it's unique, original, educational and entertaining. Probably one of the best cartoons on PBS.
Xavier, Yadina, and Brad are all likable, have character depth, and actually seem like real kids that you would meet. Xavier is the excitable one, Yadina is the cute, snarky little sister, and Brad is the perpetually nervous and neurotic one. He reminds of Pearl from Steven Universe and Sean from Ready Jet Go.
All the heroes on the show are ones to look up to. Harry Houdini was brave, Amelia Earhart went for it, Marie Curie followed her dream, Zora Neale Hurston was confident in sharing her stories, George Washington was a great leader, Helen Keller found a new way to speak, Johann Sebastian Bach practiced, and so on.
Let's talk about the animation and art style. The animation is fluid, and the effects used when the kids travel back in time are spectacular. The art style pays homage to the iconic Calvin and Hobbes and Peanuts comic strips, and just about everyone looks adorable. Please give this show a chance, it's not a "dumb baby show" or a "ripoff", it's unique, original, educational and entertaining. Probably one of the best cartoons on PBS.
One of my favorite shows!
cyadical27 July 2023
LOVE this show and hope it gets more seasons and episodes soon!
It's informative without holding your hand and talking down to you The characters are all loveable, their friendship with each other simply adorable The way they describe these events are easy to understand and effective without going into the too unsettling details that should be taught when the child watching this is much older. I say this, but even adults can enjoy the show such as myself it's quite entertaining and interesting, it taught me about significant people from the past I didn't even know about prior to watching It really made me enjoy history for the first time which isn't a topic I'm strong in.
It's informative without holding your hand and talking down to you The characters are all loveable, their friendship with each other simply adorable The way they describe these events are easy to understand and effective without going into the too unsettling details that should be taught when the child watching this is much older. I say this, but even adults can enjoy the show such as myself it's quite entertaining and interesting, it taught me about significant people from the past I didn't even know about prior to watching It really made me enjoy history for the first time which isn't a topic I'm strong in.
Perfect for Elementary-age kids
megansoulier15 July 2020
Not Canadian :\
asage1923 January 2020
I only checked in on imdb.com to find out if the show is Canadian. It's isn't, it's American. I was curious because the show was covering Mark Twain and Abigail Adams. I get the Mark Twain thing, because we sure all read his books when I was a kid. Was curious about Abigail Adams, definitely a U.S. history twang there. I was curious, because it's being shown on TVOntario, a public TV station in Canada. Generally, I love TVO and the programming offered. Of course, I don't watch daytime children's programming. I *wish* that something similar, produced in Canada, covering Canadian historical figures, were available :\ Kind of a shame. TVO maybe dropped the ball, here. Anyhow...
Not holding the attention of my five yr old grandchild
charahrens11 November 2019
My grandkids and I were looking forward to this new show after about a month of coming attractions and previews but it is not holding their attention. They played multiple episodes (1 hr)on the debut. I won't even give it 1 star!
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