Meet Kiwi – Our Kid on the Wise
Meet Kiwi, the signature character of Kids on the Wise.
We created Kiwi, a young Black boy, to represent all great Kids on the Wise. In fact, his name comes directly from who he is: a KId on the WIse.
Kiwi is a guide, a thinker, an explorer, and a visual expression of what Kids on the Wise stands for: knowledge, curiosity, and inspiration to thrive beyond.
Kiwi shows young minds that to pursue wisdom, you don’t have to be a scholar, a philosopher, or a monk living on a faraway mountain. Every kid from around the corner can become the best version of themselves and develop a great mind—maybe even the one you would expect the least: the young boy from the urban jungle.
Kiwi appears throughout our products, most prominently in our science book Nature’s Dark Treasures, where he guides young readers through the book with inspirational quotes and insights that stimulate philosophical thinking and encourage them to see the bigger picture.
That makes learning feel less like information being handed down from an adult and more like an adventure children have a place in.
How We Brought Kiwi to Life
When we drew our first drafts of Kiwi, it was obvious to me that his appearance had to be rooted in the moment and focused on the future, while remaining connected to history, heritage, and legacy.
The combination of his stylish outfit and hoodie, contrasted with an ancient wooden staff with ethnic carvings, became the perfect blend to express his modern presence and powerful history.
His staff represents knowledge that existed before him—the stories, discoveries, experiences, and wisdom passed from one generation to another. His modern style represents the world he is creating now.
Kiwi is a reflection of every kid’s own potential.
We want children to understand that learning about the world is not separate from who they are. They are part of it, standing in a lineage of brilliance.
When Kiwi Puts His Hoodie On…
Just as important as understanding the world around us is helping our children understand themselves and their inner world.
Themes of self-discovery, inspiration, and free thinking play a big part in our resources. Kiwi’s hoodie symbolizes this. When he pulls his hood over his head, he turns his attention inward. The outside world becomes a little quieter. He pauses, focuses on his inner world, listens to his intuition, and follows inspiration.
It is an important part of our intentional design philosophy: to help kids become and belong.
These themes appear throughout our product range—sometimes as the main focus, as in our Starlite series; sometimes more subtly, as in Nature’s Dark Treasures; and sometimes actively through our activity packs, which incorporate creative thinking, reflection, and problem-solving by asking: What do I think? What do I notice? What does it mean to me?
Kids, put your hoodies on and get your ancient staffs in hand! Because there is a whole world to explore—and a whole lot of wisdom already waiting inside our kids.
