Parents, Blippi Is Here to Answer All of Your Preschooler’s Questions

There’s so much to learn about Blippi it truly will make you want to shout.

We were curious about what drives the popular children’s entertainer known as Blippi, who’s famous for shows like Blippi’s Adventures and Blippi’s Job Show. So, before his appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 19th, we interviewed him for TopMob News, starting with the question he gets asked most by kids.

He said people often ask him if his watch actually works – the one he uses for time travel. He admits it usually does, but it often runs out of battery.

Blippi explained that fans often get excited when they see his watch and immediately ask if it works and if they can go on an adventure. However, he usually has to tell them, ‘It needs special batteries and isn’t charged right now.’

However, the creator, played by Ben Mayer, is always enthusiastic and happily answers questions from his young, preschool-aged fans.

What Is Blippi’s Favorite Part of His Job?

Blippi admits he loves all parts of his job, but he especially enjoys meeting new people – that’s when you’ll most often hear him shout ‘Yahoo!’

I really enjoy meeting people and having conversations with them, especially kids,” he said. “It’s amazing for a child to meet a character they love from TV in real life. I love asking them about their interests, what they’re learning, and just how their day is going.

That’s why he and his friend Meekah (Cashae Monya) are performing at the L.A. Times Festival of Books’ children’s stage. Blippi wants his youngest fans to realize there’s an entire world waiting to be discovered within the pages of a book, and he thinks that’s amazing. Inspiring kids to learn and explore their interests is, he says, the most rewarding part of his work.

What Is the Coolest Activity Blippi Has Tried?

Okay, so Blippi’s done a TON of cool stuff, but honestly? Nothing, and I mean nothing, compared to him going to the Formula 1 race in the US in 2024! I could just tell how excited he was – it was seriously the highlight for him, you could just feel it! It was like, all the other jobs were cool, but this? This was special. I’ve watched the clips a million times, and it still gives me chills!

I had the chance to be on the racetrack,” he explained to TopMob. “I was able to sit in a car and meet a lot of drivers, which was amazing. I even got to race and hit around 170 miles per hour – it was incredibly fast!”

He’s always excited to try new science experiments, and a recent volcano-making activity was a big hit. “We mixed baking soda and vinegar,” he explained, “and it bubbled up like a real volcano – it was awesome!”

He gets really excited talking about tornadoes! When asked where they happen most often, he explained, “Tornadoes are fascinating. They form when hot and cold air meet and swirl around, creating a funnel shape.”

As a lifestyle expert who’s always looking at how our environment impacts us, I’ve learned a lot about tornado formation. What’s really interesting is that they tend to happen most often in the Midwest. It all comes down to the landscape – tornadoes need clear, open space to really develop. Think about it: if there are trees, buildings, or a lot of obstacles, the wind can’t spin effectively. That’s why flat, open land creates the perfect conditions for these powerful storms to form.

What Activity Would Blippi Like to Try Next?

Blippi has plans to add cooking to his repertoire! He’s hoping to create a show where he can make food and also teach kids about science. He explained that baking and cooking are really just chemistry – you combine ingredients with specific amounts, and something new is created, like bread or cake.

Plus, added Blippi, “I also like food.”

Who Does Blippi Look Up To?

It’s no surprise Blippi admires Fred Rogers, the beloved star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Blippi praised Rogers as a “lovely, wholesome, and genuinely good person to look up to.” He especially appreciates Rogers’ positive messages and how he encouraged children to use their imaginations, be curious, and explore the world – something Blippi strives to do as well.

He really admires Ms. Rachel, calling her “awesome.” He often works with her (her name is Rachel Accurso) and appreciates that she teaches many of the same valuable lessons to young children that he does, making her a fantastic resource.

Who is Blippi’s Best Friend?

Blippi was instantly excited to learn about Meekah, and couldn’t help but exclaim her name! Meekah is also a calming influence for Blippi, helping to keep him centered while he explores.

He praised Meekah, saying she’s great at keeping him grounded and teaching him how to think through problems and make smart decisions. He explained that she helps him calm down when he gets carried away, reminding him he can be enthusiastic but also needs to be patient.

He also mentioned Meekah’s artistic talent, explaining that being around her has helped him improve his own skills as an artist. He said, “She’s a really great artist, so I’ve become a pretty decent artist because of her.”

Who is Blippi’s Favorite Author?

Dr. Seuss books are fantastic for learning about rhythm, syllables, and how to pronounce words. He also recommends checking out 5 Minute Stories, though he jokingly admits he might be a bit partial to it!

If your child isn’t excited about reading yet, a great first step is to find out what they’re interested in. Kids are naturally curious, and once you know what fascinates them, you can take them to a library or event related to that topic. This lets them explore their passions and discover books they’ll truly enjoy.

He explained that the best way to encourage your child to read is to support and explore the things they already enjoy. Focusing on their interests will naturally make reading more appealing.

And if you’re on the hunt for your next page-turner, take a crack at this list of new reads.

Release: March 10

Okay, so this book… it completely sucked me in. It begins with Birdie basically fleeing her life and heading to this isolated island in Washington, trying to escape the shadow of this man, Calvin Boyer, who seriously messed up her childhood. But then, get this, he’s murdered! And the story isn’t just about solving the crime, it’s told through three different people’s eyes. You’ve got Birdie, obviously, then Linzie – another one of Calvin’s victims who actually wrote a hugely successful book about what happened to her – and, unbelievably, Calvin’s own mom, Mary-Beth, who still seems to adore him. It’s just… so complex and gripping, I couldn’t put it down!

The author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls, Whidbey, delivers a challenging but ultimately rewarding first novel. While not always easy to read, the book is handled with sensitivity and offers a powerful, thought-provoking experience.

Judy Blume has been a constant companion for many readers, from beloved childhood books like Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to her novels for adults such as Wifey and Summer Sisters. Now, a new biography by Mark Oppenheimer is gaining attention, detailing Blume’s life. Interestingly, reports suggest the author and biographer had disagreements during the writing process, adding another layer of interest to the book.

Tana French, the popular Irish thriller writer known for books like In the Woods, is releasing a new novel on March 31st. This book appears to be the last in the series featuring Cal Hooper, a retired American police officer. The story follows Hooper as he investigates the death of a young woman in his quiet Irish town, uncovering deep-seated conflicts and long-held secrets that surface as a result of the tragedy.

I’m completely hooked on this new book! It’s about Natalie Heller Mills, this influencer who seems to have it all – the perfect husband, beautiful kids she homeschools, and this gorgeous farm she shares on Instagram. But then, things get crazy! She suddenly wakes up in 1805 with no clue how she got there, and the story jumps back and forth between her life now and trying to survive in the past. It’s a really twisty and captivating look at the world of ‘tradwife’ influencers and what happens when their carefully curated image clashes with real life. Honestly, I can’t put it down!

Patrick Radden Keefe’s April 7th article in The New Yorker tells the tragic story of Zac Brettler, a British teenager who lived a double life pretending to be the son of a Russian oligarch. Given Keefe’s previous acclaimed books, Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, readers might have wondered if there was anything new to learn. However, Keefe delivers a compelling and honest look at the dangerous world of wealth and influence Zac became involved in, and the determined search for answers by his family after his death in 2019.

Charlie Jones starts a new job managing a remote island farm shop, only to discover another Charlie Jones has also been hired! Both are hoping for a fresh start, but the owners can’t decide which one should manage the shop. They come up with a solution: both Charlies will work for a few months, and whoever does the better job gets to keep the position. As they compete, they begin to realize they might have more in common than just a name.

Rainy March, a young woman with the magical ability to enter the worlds of books, is about to embark on a dangerous quest. When her grandfather and a cherished book disappear, she must break the cardinal rule for Book Witches—not to stay in stories for too long—and travel through classic novels alongside the fictional detective, the Duke of Chicago, to find him. Along the way, she’ll uncover hidden family secrets and confront her growing feelings for the Duke. “Release” date: April 7th.

Coming April 7th, Emma Straub’s new book offers a charming look at fandom through the story of Annie, a 50-year-old navigating life after divorce on a cruise dedicated to the boy band she loved as a teenager, Boy Talk. The book honestly explores themes of getting older, celebrity obsession, and how pop culture impacts us, without ever making fun of passionate fans.

What really makes Straub’s book so effective isn’t which boy band you loved growing up, but rather how she perfectly captures the magical feeling of being a young fan. Through the perspectives of Annie, a boy band member named Keith, and a cruise ship employee Sarah, she explores this feeling in a way that feels universal and enduring.

Coming April 14th: Cherry is reeling after her ex turned their relationship into a wildly popular graphic novel, making him an internet celebrity. Now, she’s trying to rebuild her life and finds a potential path forward when she reconnects with someone from her past, Russ, who might help her heal and move on.

Coming April 21st, “The Caretaker” offers a spring scare from the author of “We Used to Live Here.” Macy, needing a job, takes a three-day caretaker position at a property in the Pacific Northwest, even though she senses something isn’t right. She quickly discovers her instincts were correct – something is very wrong indeed.

Released on April 21st, this story takes us back to 2007 Brooklyn, where Alicia Canales has returned to Fort Greene and is starting a new phase of her life. She finds herself drawn into the orbit of her intriguing artist neighbor, known for throwing unforgettable parties. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing neighborhood and the looming financial crisis, Xochitl Gonzalez delivers another captivating read.

Released on May 5th, this story follows John-Calum as he returns to his close-knit, religious community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, after struggling in Edinburgh. His father, John, is a respected figure there, while his grandmother, Ella (originally from Glasgow), has always felt like an outsider. Back home, Cal is trying to keep his sexuality a secret, and his relationship with his father is strained—filled with a mix of affection, anger, and occasional outbursts of violence.

Ultimately, the core of this complex relationship lies in the shared traits both characters refuse to see in each other. It’s a powerfully honest and emotional story about fathers and sons, the weight of the past, and the challenges of growing up gay in 1990s Scotland—further establishing Douglas Stuart as an author you won’t want to miss.

Scheduled for release on May 5th, this story follows Frankie, who is unexpectedly dumped by her fiancé the day before her wedding. Determined to still take her prepaid honeymoon, she heads to the peaceful rainforests of Tofino, British Columbia. Her childhood friend, George, reluctantly joins her, and the trip gives them a chance to reconnect after years of drifting apart – and perhaps even discover a romantic connection.

Okay, so Monica Logue – Monica Logue! – arrived in Derry on May 5th to get ready for this amazing new show she’s doing about The Troubles. I’ve been following her career forever, and I was SO excited. But then… she just vanished. It’s all anyone here can talk about! Everyone has a theory, and honestly, it’s fascinating. The story isn’t about finding her, though. It’s about everyone around the show – how it affects them, what they think of the story being told. There’s this poor screenwriter who’s trying to finish the scripts while all this is happening, and his struggle kind of connects everything. It’s brilliant, really – not a straightforward mystery, but a look at how a story impacts a whole community. I’m completely hooked!

This film is a moving and often humorous look at how The Troubles continue to affect Northern Ireland, and how difficult it is to see a painful part of history turned into a tourist attraction.

Coming May 19th, the author of the popular Hollywood Renaissance series returns with a new novel. This time, the story follows screenwriter Verity, who must work with the composer who once broke her heart. They’re collaborating on a biopic about the Harlem Renaissance, and the project could be a turning point in both of their careers. As they create the story and music, they might also have to confront their shared history – and potentially win an Oscar along the way.

Released on May 26th, this new book from historian Hugh Ryan follows up on his acclaimed work, When Brooklyn Was Queer, with a personal and honest account of his own experiences as a queer person in the 1990s and early 2000s. Ryan explores what it was like to come of age during the rise of the internet and the Y2K scare, drawing on memories of AOL chatrooms and the nightclub scene as a college student. It’s a compelling, unfiltered look at a complex and formative time.

2026-04-18 13:18