Munchie's Story

Hi, I’m Nicholas Russo—proud dad, storyteller, and the guy behind Red Wagon Publishing Ltd. and the whole Munchie Giraffe universe.

It all started when my son was three. We were out in the big world together—crossing busy streets, racing through playgrounds, or trying to remember to turn off those battery-operated toys before the batteries died for good. I needed a fun way to help him listen, so right there on the spot I created Munchie: a tiny, energetic toddler giraffe who’s small in size but mighty in heart and spirit.

The name “Munchie” came straight from my son’s own nickname, and “Giraffe” because when he was a baby, his favorite stuffed pacifier—the one he always reached for—was a giraffe. That little stuffed friend sparked the idea, and Munchie was born.

Munchie quickly became our family’s secret sidekick. “What would Munchie do?” turned everyday lessons into exciting adventures. Holding hands while crossing the street? Munchie made it feel like crossing into a new world of bravery. Asking for help when he needed it? Turning off toys to save the batteries? Munchie learned those lessons the fun (and sometimes silly) way, right alongside my son.

What began as simple short stories filled with heart and humor has grown into so much more. The books (Munchie Holds Hands, Munchie Needs Batteries, and more) are still packed with wild adventures, sports-loving excitement (Munchie is obsessed with soccer and basketball), and those important life lessons wrapped in laughter. But now Munchie has leapt off the pages and into colorful cartoons and animated sing-along songs too!

You can watch full episodes and catchy learning videos on YouTube, where Munchie and his best buddy Panther go on new adventures, groove to the ABCs on sunny beaches, practice street safety, and explore months and holidays—all while teaching kids in the most entertaining way possible.

Munchie is curious, a little clumsy, endlessly optimistic, and always growing. Every story and song is designed so learning feels like playtime—never a lecture.

I created Munchie for my son, but he’s become a friend to families everywhere who want their little ones to learn big lessons while having a blast.

Thanks for stopping by and joining the adventure. Let’s keep growing, learning, playing soccer (and basketball), and singing along—one tiny but mighty step at a time.

— Nicholas Russo Creator of Munchie Giraffe & Super Proud Dad nicholas@munchiegiraffe.com

(P.S. My son is a bit older now… and he still tells me what Munchie would do. Best fan feedback ever.)