Close your eyes and think back to your own early childhood. Back during those days filled with endless wonder, creativity and imagination. What was the thing, the story or the characters that made your eyes go wide with a light of excitement?
For everyone, this answer differs, but the one thing you can always take heart in is that there was that one story that set a younger you’s heart ablaze.
For an entire generation, one answer would quickly come to mind: none other than the one and only “Blue’s Clues”—a series needing no more introduction or lead-in outside of the title. As by this point, the bars of the opening theme and images inside the house are already flooding your mind.
It was that iconic. Something that was truly glorious and unforgettable.
Behind that series was a creator who has spent her entire career creating stories for young viewers, Angela Santomero. While many kids grew up with Blue, or perhaps other titles among her extensive projects, kids today are now getting to enjoy her storytelling stylings with her newest series, “Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things.”
And is it the most adorable thing ever.
As well as something worth diving into.
BSCKids recently had the chance to speak with Angela about her career, making kids’ content and, naturally, “Princess Penelope.” An opportunity we graciously thank Angela for giving us.
BSCKids: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. We are truly delighted to have the opportunity to speak with you. To begin, how did you first get started in the children’s media space, and what drew you to creating stories for young audiences?
Santomero: I come from a family of teachers, and was a preschool teacher myself. My vision was to educate as many kids as possible using the very best curriculum. Media felt like the best way to do that! I studied child development at Teachers College, Columbia University, and then joined Nickelodeon as a researcher to learn. Together, those experiences shaped my career. Instead of asking, “What would make a fun show?” I asked, “What does a preschooler need, and how can media help?”
That philosophy became my first series, “Blue’s Clues”, and has guided everything I’ve created since. Every project – including my newest, “Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things”, begins with a developmental question and grows into a story.
BSCKids: “Blue’s Clues ” has become one of the defining preschool series of the last three decades. Looking back, what has it been like watching something you co-created continue to connect with generation after generation of children and families?
Santomero: It’s incredibly moving. I’ll meet adults who tell me “You made my childhood!” 🙂 Others have said, “I can feel the love coming through the screen!” And now adults are watching with their own preschoolers! It will be 30 years in September and I still pinch myself!
BSCKids: While Blue’s Clues is a cornerstone of children’s media, you’ve also created and helped shape beloved series such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Super Why!”. What continues to draw you back to this style of storytelling?
Santomero: Every show has answered a different developmental vision. “Blue’s Clues” is teaching kindergarten readiness skills, and self esteem Super Why is about teaching kids to learn to read, love to read, and know that books are a resource for life. “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” focused on social-emotional learning. “Princess Penelope’s” vision is to teach critical thinking skills and to solve problems through kindness. The mission to educate and entertain has never changed—only the way I tell the story.
BSCKids: “Blue’s Clues” blended live action and animation, while many of your later projects have been fully animated. Now you’ve also entered the publishing world. What is your creative process like when you’re developing a new story or world, regardless of the medium?
Santomero: It always starts with research and child development. I begin with the developmental goal, then ask what medium best serves that goal. In addition, I always look at the landscape and see what kids need – live action and animation became the core of the storytelling format for “Princess Penelope” because I believe that’s what kids need now.
BSCKids: Inspiration can come from anywhere, and creativity has been a cornerstone of your work. When developing a new project, how do you balance creating something entertaining while also helping young viewers build confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills?
Santomero: I love the layered approach to weaving the education in the entertainment so seamlessly that preschoolers don’t even realize how much they are learning.
I make sure I create characters and stories that children care about. When children are emotionally invested, they’re naturally curious. They want to help, they want to solve the problem, they want to predict what comes next, and they begin to imagine possibilities.
To me, learning always works best when it’s built into the adventure, and kids are asked to be actively involved.
BSCKids: With “Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things”, you’ve expanded into children’s publishing. What inspired this new creative direction, and what was it like transitioning from developing stories for the screen to telling them through books?
Santomero: I’ve always loved books, I am an avid reader! Books create a wonderful shared experience between children and caregivers that is innately interactive. Books let “Princess Penelope” tell stories beyond the screen, at a child’s own pace, with an adult. We know that kids learn more when they are sharing an experience with a caring adult.
BSCKids: Not only is “Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things” told through its pages, but Princess Penelope has also found a home on YouTube. What has it been like bringing the story from the page to a digital platform and introducing her to audiences in a new way?
Santomero: It’s been exciting because YouTube is where kids are and I believe there is an opportunity to up the ante of the level of quality and education that is available to kids.
Every great story asks, “What happens next?” “Princess Penelope” on YouTube is built around that moment of anticipation. Each short episode invites children to predict, imagine, and choose to continue the adventure. I’ve always believed children learn best when they’re active participants, not passive viewers. This is that philosophy for a new generation.
BSCKids: Princess Penelope is absolutely adorable, and her mission to spread kindness is incredibly heartwarming. How did the character first come to life, and why did kindness become such an important part of her story?
Santomero: Kindness has been the foundation of every show I’ve ever created and in Princess Penelope it’s much more front and center! I want kids to learn how to solve problems through the lens of empathy. I want them to be intrinsically motivated to help others.
Princess Penelope is a heroine whose greatest strength isn’t magic, but compassion. Penelope shows children that kindness is an active choice and one of the most powerful ways to solve problems.
BSCKids: One of the most imaginative elements of the story is Princess Penelope’s magical purse filled with preposterous things. What inspired that concept, and what do you hope children and families take away from her adventures?
Santomero: Children naturally think imaginatively, so I wanted a storytelling device that celebrated that, while also adding in a sense of comedy! With preposterous things, the answer to solving problems isn’t obvious. In fact, the objects in Penelope’s purse are the beginning of the problem-solving process. They encourage children to ask, “How could this help?” That’s creative thinking they’ll use far beyond the story.
BSCKids: Princess Penelope’s journey has only just begun. Where do you hope her adventures will take her, and how do you hope she continues to inspire children as she makes the world a little kinder?
Santomero: I hope she becomes a trusted guide for kids and fully loved by all! Whether kids are reading a book or watching an episode, I hope Princess Penelope reminds them that kindness matters, curiosity is powerful, and every problem has more than one solution.
BSCKids: Looking across your career—from “Blue’s Clues” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” to “Super Why!” and now “Princess Penelope”—there’s a consistent thread of helping children navigate emotions, relationships, and the world around them. Was that always your mission as a storyteller, or is it something you recognized only after looking back on your body of work?
Santomero: My vision, from the beginning, was to educate through media using my child development degree as a foundation. Kids are invested in the characters, the worlds, and the stories. They are actively participating, finding their voice, understanding their self worth and learning skills that they will use for life! I love hearing that adults who still think about their “handy dandy notebook” whenever they jot something down. I love the results of a recent study that says that teens are singing “Daniel Tiger” songs when they feel mad or disappointed! I’ve always wanted to help kids build confidence, empathy, and curiosity, and give them something they’ll carry for life.
BSCKids: Finally, for anyone hoping to build a career creating stories for children, what advice would you give them as they begin their own creative journey?
Santomero: Start with kids! Spend time listening to them. Respect their intelligence. Stay curious about how they think. Do the research. Write down ideas. Be true to your own voice, your own story and your own vision. I have a digital class called, “Make a Kids’ Show” that can help you through the steps – with a workbook and a community – to create high quality media for kids!
Wise words of inspiration for the future storytellers who may one day create those unforgettable worlds of their own.
As for Princess Penelope, we look forward to seeing where her adventures take her next—and, naturally, uncovering all the preposterous things waiting inside her purse.
Once more, we extend our greatest thanks to Angela Santomero for taking the time to speak with us and sharing her stories, experiences and wisdom.