''Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld'' is a children's

educational Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Vari ...

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

that is part animated, part

live action Live action (or live-action) is a form of cinematography or videography that uses photography instead of animation. Some works combine live-action with animation to create a live-action animated film. Live-action is used to define film, video ga ...

. It was created by Mike DeVitto. As of May 2007, the series airs on over 120 public television stations in North America.

Premise

The series revolves around Ribert, a young animated

toad Toad is a common name for certain frogs, especially of the family Bufonidae, that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering the parotoid glands. A distinction between frogs and toads is not made in scientif ...

that wears a cap & later a safety helmet, who wants to know "everything", and Robert, his human friend, as they spend each episode learning about different topics against the backdrop of a magical

island An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...

amusement park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central ...

, known as WonderWorld. The show's tagline is: ''The first show a kid can ride!''

Episode Format

Each episode follows a general format, concentrating on a single topic. Ribert is curious by nature, and he "wants to know everything", according to the song he sings at the start of each episode. Robert, a human, is his best friend and partner. He's the one who pilots the

roller coaster A roller coaster, or rollercoaster, is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. Passengers ride along the track in open cars, and the rides are o ...

car Ribert and his viewers (known as Power Pals) ride as they learn about the day's topic. Ribert tells Robert what he wants to learn about that day. Subjects have included birthdays, dinosaurs, "being safe" and "being a good friend". Robert powers up the roller coaster car and Ribert (along with the Power Pals), put on their safety helmets as the journey begins. The goal of each episode is to solve three "challenges" as the roller coaster car travels the track in the Wonderworld amusement park. Three times over the course of the episode, Robert asks the Power Pals a question, and once it's answered correctly, the Power Pals are given a "magic key", which is a key with a human face painted in it, and the respective keys are called in order Jen, Lee and Tiffany. Ribert asks each "magic key" to open a door for him, and everyone is treated to a visit by human "friends", who perform a skit or task describing the day's subject matter. One of the doors is usually occupied by Cousin Chris, who draws a picture related to the day's topic. After each presentation, Ribert and Robert discuss it together before the roller coaster car moves to the next challenge. After all three "magic keys" are obtained, a "secret word" is revealed that is in line with the day's subject. Clues to the "secret word" are provided to the Power Pals during the course of the episode. Upon the completion of the mission, Ribert and Robert say goodbye to the Power Pals with a song.

Episode Descriptions

Season 1 (2005–2006)

Season 2 (2006–2007)

Season 3 (2007)

Season 4 (2008)

Cast and Principal Crew

*Ribert - voiced by Jessikah Lopez *Robert -

James Bondy James Bondy (born ) is a Canadian entertainer who co-hosted ''Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld'', a children's show that aired on public television from 2005 to 2008. Early life and education Bondy had aspirations to become a hockey player or a de ...

*Cousin Chris - Chris Allard *Magic Matt (magician) - Matt Roberts *Dara Duck - Dara Bourne *Leeny (the story performer) - Leeny Del Seamonds *Vanessa (dance partner) - Vanessa Logan *Joan and Friends - Joan Kennedy, Jeffery McIlwain, Con Fullam, Grace Katherine Stacey *Professor Expound - Mark Scalia *Erin (the game girl) - Erin Horne *Kids' Voices - Luis Branco, Jr., Rachel Estremera and Nicole Branco *Nonni-CJ Gagliola Hughes *Created, Produced and Directed by Mike DeVitto *Written by Mike DeVitto and Jenn DeVitto *Executive Producers - Mike DeVitto, Con Fullam and Greg Gormican *Music and Sound - Michael McInnis *Live-Action Supervision - Jamie Norton and Mike DeVitto *Technical Director - Jim Grotto *Animation Director - Jamie Norton and Melissa Napier *Creative Director - Chris Allard *Design and Support - Dick Campbell and Dennis Gilbert *Sound recorded at Michael McInnis Productions, Portland, Maine *Songs by Paul Conway Fullam and Michael McInnis *Presented by Deos Animation Studios and American Public Television

External links

American Public Television website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ribert And Robert's Wonderworld 2000s American animated television series 2000s American children's television series 2000s preschool education television series 2006 American television series debuts 2007 American television series endings American children's animated fantasy television series American computer-animated television series American preschool education television series American television series with live action and animation American television shows featuring puppetry Animated preschool education television series Animated television series about frogs PBS Kids shows PBS original programming Personal development television series