See how Michael Hyacinthe’s puppet—and his friends—teach kids about financial literacy and more.

If you find talking to your children about money difficult, you’re not alone. Parents see the value of money conversations but have some reluctance to discuss money [with their kids], a T. Rowe Price survey revealed. If you’re like 4 in 10 parents who don’t always know the best way to talk to their kids about financial matters, you have to meet Wimee—and his friends.

In addition to serving as the mascot for Consumers Kids’ Savings Club, Wimee and his crew are the stars of fun videos found on the Consumers website, PBS and the Michigan Learning Channel that are designed to educate kids about money and more.

Who’s behind Wimee

Wimee’s creator is Michael Hyacinthe, CEO and founder of Wimee.TV. This veteran U.S. Navy Seabee co-founded Has Heart, a nonprofit that pairs veterans with designers who help tell their stories through art, design and fashion. Through Michael’s work at Has Heart, Wimee came to be.

“We created him as a soft, gentle person that happens to be in a robot’s body,” Michael said.

The loveable robot puppet was originally designed to help wounded veterans see their words become images and help them heal. After seeing how veterans connected with Wimee, Michael, a father of four, saw that the puppet had potential to connect and inspire kids about all sorts of things—like learning as well as social and emotional development.

Wimee’s development and expansion

Since 2016, Michael has fostered Wimee’s development from an engaging puppet who educates in fun ways to a multimedia experience that includes Wimee’s friends. A team of eight people create and produce everything from videos to books to apps using interactive wordplay, songs, stories and more.

In one Money Minutes with Wimee and Friends video, Wimee’s friend, puppet Siblee, goes to the pet store for a lizard and gets a budget. He takes the lesson, “Don’t touch it if it’s not in the budget” to heart. This video and several more feature another of Wimee’s friends, Mr. Bill, played by Michael.

In the Wimee Learns About Money book, Wimee has received some money from his grandmother as a gift. Wimee, along with friends Moby and Siblee meet Mr. Bill in the Park where they get a lesson in money facts then put together a plan for Wimee’s money.

As you’d expect of any modern puppet, Wimee is active on social media. You can find him on Instagram as @wimeethe robot as well as TikTok, and his YouTube channel. Plus, Michael and his team have created the Wimee’s World App that inspires creativity and provides safe, engaging entertainment for kids 5-10 years old.

Consumers loves Wimee

We love being part of Wimee’s world and we’re proud of the work Michael and his team do. They engage kids to be creative and learn about life lessons like financial literacy. What’s not to love?

 

 

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