The expedition crew.
Ricky's hero, mentor, and expedition leader. Ricky believes every word of the stories — including the ones that contradict each other — and has the field journal to prove he was taking notes. Penne calls him "my most reliable witness." Nonna calls them both "impossible."
Mission control, head chef, and the reason Ricky has never been hungry in his life. She appointed him official taste-tester, overfeeds him strategically, and pretends not to notice when he "borrows" extra breadsticks for the road. She notices.
Ricky's best friend: a sharp, speedy farfalle (bowtie) kid who plans the expeditions Ricky dreams up. Where Ricky says "let's go!", Pippa says "bring water, it's a long hill." The partnership is undefeated.
The twins who race him to the bakery, the baker's daughter who trades day-old loaves for adventure stories, and a rotating cast of kids who all claim the title of "assistant assistant explorer." Ricky lets them all have it. There's always room in the crew.