Ep. 6: The Paintbrush of Doom

Episode Summary

Carlos Hernandez and Zarana & Siri, Age 10

5/14/2020

On this week’s episode, Carlos Hernandez, author of Rick Riordan Present's Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (a Kirkus Best Book of 2019 and the 2020 Pura Belpré Author Award ) is matched with not one, but two creative rockstars: 10 year old twins Siri and Zarana! The twins, who love to write and paint, bring along twice the imagination to create a story seed about a magic paintbrush that makes whatever you paint, real! Maybe too real! Join host Betsy Bird as she follows Carlos and the twins to the Children’s Museum of the Arts in NYC where they collaborate on growing their story idea while making some 3D art of their own. Then sit back for storytime as Carlos narrates the story he wrote, inspired by their meeting: “Citaria’s Paintbrush.” Click here for complete episode notes.

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This Episode Features

Zarana and Siri! They are twins from New York City who love to read and paint. They have a really international background. Their families are from Australia, Bangladesh, and the US and they spend every summer in Australia! Carlos lives in Queens, New York, but he grew up in Sarasota, Florida. He is a proud Cuban-American and fills his books with his heritage and cultural traditions.

Zarana, Age 10

I love … pretending to be a spy, going on “missions” and facing my fears! I think I’ve always wanted to be a spy. When I was in my mom’s tummy, I kicked my twin sister Siri in the head in true spy fashion.

I can do … one of Houdini’s card tricks. I can also look happy and angry at the same time!

My favorite books … are the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Emily Windsnap, Scarlet and Ivy, and Wings of Fire series. I'm always trying to convince Siri to read the Percy Jackson series!

Siri, Age 10

I love … headbands I’ve worn a headband on my head every day since I was a baby. I even wear one when I’m sleeping. Maybe it has something to do with making sure I don’t get kicked in the head again.

I’m good at … accents! When I was little, I spoke in a British accent for a year after visiting London.

My favorite books … are the Emily Windsnap, Wings of Fire, and Scarlet and Ivy series. Unlike my twin, I’m not a fan of Harry Potter.

Carlos Hernandez

What you may not know about me … I’m also a college professor of English and a game designer!

Yes, I’m also … a game designer! My latest game I worked on was Nintendo Switch game, Dear Reader. I’m Currently working on designing card games and board games.

I love … writing nonsense songs based off of musicals or 80s hits.

My latest books are … Sal and Gabi Break the Universe and its sequel Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, both from Rick Riordan Presents/Disney Hyperion

In the story I created with Siri and Zarana … the winged-baloney sandwich was my favorite character!

My favorite dinosaur … is a Stegosaurus.

Bonus Episode

On this bonus episode, host Betsy Bird chats with Carlos Hernandez, (author of the Rick Riordan Presents SAL AND GABI series) about his Story Seeds collaboration with twin sisters Siri and Zarana on the story "Citaria's Paintbrush." They also talk about the power of imagination in a world of screentime, how his work as a game designer and his love of gaming influences his fiction writing, how he met his wife Claire (through collaboration!), and the power of doodling. Click for full episode notes and transcript.