Xavier Riddle Shorts

8 **Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum** shorts debuted on July 8th, 2022

Each segment is 1:30 seconds long and explore themes such as compassion, kindness, gratitude, curiosity and more. You can watch them on https://pbskids.org/xavier/videos and on this YouTube playlist.

Starting with Season 2, these segments play in-between episodes.

These videos are funded by the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation, and viewers like you. Thank you!

## Videos

### Play Ball

Yadina and Brad want to play soccer, but Xavier has a broken arm, and cannot run. Brad brings up Sacagawea, whose skills and creativity helped Lewis and Clark explore. In the same way, Xavier can use creativity to play in a new and different way despite his injury. The kids use stacks of books to create obstacle courses.

Theme - Creativity.

### Dreidel

The kids are making presentations on their favorite holidays. Xavier is bringing a Halloween mask, and notices Brad with a wooden thing. Xavier and Yadina want to go ask him about it, but Xavier fears that they may look silly if they don't know anything about Brad's favorite holiday. Berby highlights Frederick Douglass, who was always trying to learn things and new knowledge. His books and speeches helped many other curious people learn new things. Yadina and Xavier realize that asking questions can help them learn. They ask Brad about the toy, who teaches them that it's a dreidel, which is played with during a Jewish holiday called Hanukkah.

Theme - Curiosity.

### The Duet

Yadina and Dr. Zoom tried out for the school talent show, but they didn't get in. To cheer Yadina up, Xavier and Brad decide to put on their own talent show. Yadina isn't sure about the amateur props they used, but Berby highlights Abigail Adams. Abigail Adams helped form the United States into its own country, but was also grateful for what she had and tried to put everything to good use. Yadina realizes she should be thankful for what Brad and Xavier did for her.

Theme - Gratitude.

### Shell Shocked

Xavier is in charge of taking care of the class pet turtle, Shelly, during recess. However, Xavier wants to play tag outside. Dr. Zoom highlights George Washington Carver, who cared a lot about plants and the whole world around them. He showed that it's your responsibility to take care of the Earth. Xavier realizes that he should make good choices and be responsible by taking care of Shelly.

Theme - Responsibility.

### Stand Up

Brad and Yadina are drawing comics in the library. Brian teases them for drawing superhero comics, and says that they should read dinosaur books instead. While Yadina stands her ground, Brad is hesitant to stand up to Brian. Berby highlights Harriet Tubman. She shows that courage means bravely moving forward, even when you are scared. Brad realized that he should be courageous and support Yadina. Brad tells Brian that he shouldn't be teasing Yadina, and that it's alright to like comics. Brian apologizes, and asks to be drawn in a dinosaur comic.

Theme - Courage.

### Fair and Square

Xavier and Berby are doing another race in the museum. The winner gets to take Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat to its hover cubby. Berby pulls ahead, as always. Xavier cheats by using a shortcut, and unfairly wins. Berby highlights Abraham Lincoln, who showed how important it is to be honest, which is telling the truth even when it is hard. Xavier decides to be honest and apologizes for cheating. Berby forgives him.

Theme - Honesty.

### Happy Birthday

Yadina is planning a best friends' tea party. Yadina notices Harper, who is lonely and sitting by herself. She thinks about inviting her over, but she and Brad think that they can't have a best friends' tea party if there's someone they don't know. Berby highlights Confucius. Confucius taught about compassion -- that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. Yadina realizes that they should invite Harper over. Harper is waiting for her grandpa to pick her up for her birthday. Yadina and Brad decide to throw a mini birthday party for Harper. Harper thanks them for being so nice.

Theme - Compassion.

### Puzzled

Yadina runs into Brad, who is building a tent. Brad is eager to get a tent making badge, but the tent won't stay up. Brad is discouraged until Berby brings up Marie Curie, who taught the gang about never giving up. Even when the schools around her had unfair rules, that didn't stop Marie from learning and becoming a scientist. Brad pushes forward and finally gets the tent to stay up.

Theme - Perserverance.

## Trivia

* Xavier Riddle, Brian, and Harper all have different voices.

## References

1. https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/celebrate-the-little-things-this-summer-with-pbs-kids/