Before I walked on over to elementary school, I would make my breakfast, turn on the TV, and

switch to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Kids channel. I’d eagerly wait for my favorite show to come on. As I heard the words echo around me, “‘Zoboomafoo’ with the Kratt Brothers!” I began swinging along to the rhythm, completely forgetting about school. My eyes stayed glued to the TV, wishing I could hang out with the animals.

“Zoboomafoo” was created by Martin and Chris Kratt in 1999. The last episode aired in 2001, but reruns continued to air on PBS until 2012. The character Zoboomafoo, also known as Zaboo, is a Coquerel’s sifaka (lemur) that the Kratt brothers met in Madagascar. The three developed a strong bond, and together they started an educational show. The show takes place at a building called the Animal Junction, where the brothers would call out to Zaboo and offer him some treats. Then, Zaboo would come springing to life, introducing himself to the audience. They would play games, eat, and surprise audiences with new animal friends. The show featured animals such as capybaras, elephants, and tigers.

Now, audiences can stream “Zoboomafoo” on YouTube or purchase episodes through Amazon Prime Video. Before the show stopped airing, the animated series “Wild Kratts,” also by the Kratt brothers, emerged in 2011, which is still streaming on PBS.

For me, “Zoboomafoo” remains a memorable show that brings me great nostalgia, because I love learning new things about animals, whether that’s hearing about the diet of a coati or how jaguars use their spots for camouflage. There were many animals they introduced on the show that I had never heard of before. I’m sure many viewers were inspired to become a zoologist or veterinarian when they watched it. For many young people in the audience, they were introduced to new animals and the importance of protecting nature.

I often think about the many iconic children’s shows that have been forgotten or are impossible to watch today. It’s sad because these shows, such as “Zoboomafoo,” taught us new information that we may carry with us today, and broadened our imaginations. I think my love for animals developed from shows such as “Zoboomafoo,” “Go, Diego, Go!,” and “Animal Atlas.”

Perhaps our greatest passions originated from our favorite childhood shows or movies. I would encourage you to search for a favorite piece of media from your childhood. Do not let

important memories disappear, but instead embrace the nostalgia.