Q&A with Creator JJ

  

 

 

Creator JJ is the author of the new children's picture book Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki. It's the second in his Tiki Time series.  

 

Q: What inspired this second Tiki Time book?

 

A: Tiki Time is a five-book series, and this is the second installment. The first book lays the foundation for the story, introducing the main character, Tiki, his personal journey, the supporting cast, and the mission behind the time-traveling quest.

 

In the second book, the adventure truly begins. It marks the first stage of the quest, as the characters travel back to prehistoric times to find King Lauia and recover the stolen Toku Mask. This is where the action and excitement really take off.

 

Q: How did you come up with the plot for this new addition to your series?

 

A: Throughout the series, Tiki and his friends travel through different time periods, with prehistoric times serving as the first destination and the official beginning of their time-traveling adventure. I chose this setting because it naturally captures kids’ imaginations, blending excitement, discovery, and a sense of wonder.

In this second book, the quest truly begins as Tiki first encounters and confronts King Lauia in an effort to recover the stolen Toku Mask. The stakes are high: Tiki is racing against time to retrieve the mask before his hometown, TikiTown, and its innocent citizens remain frozen forever.

This is also a pivotal moment in Tiki’s character arc. He takes his first real step toward becoming a hero, growing into the magical royal warrior defined by courage and integrity. Both the plot and Tiki’s personal journey begin to intensify here, raising the tension and setting the stage for what’s to come.

Q: What was the process this time around for creating the illustrations?

A: The process was incredible! Creating the original book required a tremendous amount of work, as Fates developed both the character designs and the visual world from the ground up. Every detail had to be just right - and it was! The artwork in the first book is truly stunning.

By the time we began the second book, Fates had become completely comfortable with the characters and artistic style, which allowed him to really expand and elevate the visuals.

 

When I first saw the new artwork, I was blown away.

 

That’s part of what makes the Tiki Time series so special, it’s a highly visual experience. I think both parents and children will genuinely enjoy the artwork as they read, bringing the story to life in a vivid and engaging way.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

 

A: Most importantly, I hope readers come away understanding the book’s core themes: building self-confidence, valuing friendship, embracing true character and integrity, and reflecting on the impact of their actions on others. These are the general themes of the Tiki Time series.

I also hope that both parents and children have a genuinely enjoyable experience reading this book together. Beyond helping children expand their vocabulary and learn valuable life lessons, the prehistoric setting offers an exciting and imaginative adventure. The visually stunning artwork is designed to spark children’s imaginations and inspire their own creativity.

 

Above all, I hope this story draws young readers into its world, taking them on a memorable journey as they follow the series. My goal is for them to enjoy this book so much that it encourages them to explore other stories, whether in similar genres or entirely new ones, and to develop a lasting love of reading. After all, reading is an essential skill that opens the door to lifelong learning.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am working on the third installment in the Tiki Time series, Tiki Time: The Mummy’s Curse. This book is set in Ancient Egypt, and I think both kids and parents are going to love it. The quest becomes even more fun and wild, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: There are plenty of fun resources available to go along with the Tiki Time series! A read-along video of the first book, Tiki Time: It’s My Turn, is available on YouTube, and the read-along for Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki will be coming soon.

 

In addition, The Children’s Book Review has created an amazing activity kit that parents can download for their kids. They also developed a fantastic educator’s guide based on the first book, designed for teachers who want to bring Tiki Time into the classroom.

 

You can find links to all of these fun resources below.

 

Read-Along Video: https://www.youtube.com/@CreatorJJ-d2k

Activity Kit:  https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tiki-Time-Activity-Kit.pdf

Educator’s Guide: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TikiTimeEducatorGuide25.pdf

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Creator JJ. Here’s a previous Q&A with Creator JJ. Readers who enter this giveaway will have the chance to win one of five signed paperback copies of Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki by Creator JJ. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed copy of the book, a $100 Amazon gift card, and a National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium for Kids!