About

My name is Tyler Joshua Naimoli, and I am a children’s book writer, illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and game designer based in New York City. Since I was ten years old, I have been creating all kinds of characters and works. They were all each their own thing until a few years later, when I decided to make all these works take place in the same continuity, which I call the Naimoli Universe! In May 2021, I graduated from Parsons School of Design and The New School with a dual degree in Illustration / Journalism + Design. In June 2022, I became a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This website is where I will be showcasing the body of my work, which includes ideas for children’s chapter book series, graphic novel series, a comic strip, and concepts for an edutainment franchise.

You have a right to share my work, for as long as you ask for my permission and credit me. Plagiarism and hate (subjective criticism) will not be acceptable. If you would like to use my work in any way beyond simply sharing it, feel free to contact me; check the Contact page for more information.

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Is this site going anywhere after you get published?

Probably not! For now, I consider this site to be the even more professional website for me and my IP’s that I've been teasing for some time. It will probably look very different after I get published, but I don't expect the site itself to be outright replaced again. And of course, there is the actually published work.
What is an FAQ?

FAQs are short for "frequently asked questions". On this site, FAQ sections are where you can get the answers to questions that have been asked and answered before. Instead of asking these questions again, please refer to these sections for the answer to the question you are thinking of, unless it hasn’t been added yet. They will be updated accordingly.
How often will you post?

As I am working on launching my career and my other projects, not all the time. However, this is because I try my best to make the best content I could possibly make. I will do everything I can to maintain my presence of course, but if I simply can’t I will be sure to provide updates regarding when I will be able to post again.
When will you reveal your other projects?

Everything will be revealed in time, and hopefully soon. Note that some projects I’m working on will simply not be revealed until it is close to publication, depending on whether or not I’m allowed.
Dear Justin, have you already told your family that you wanted to become a botanist when you grow up rather than be a fashion model just like your parents and siblings? If so, how did they take it?

No, I didn’t actually tell them yet, but I am nervous about how they will react. It’s just that my parents are really passionate about my modeling career. They’ve made me model for all sorts of companies such as Suntropics Swimwear. I wasn’t interested in modeling their latest swim trunks for a photo shoot in Sint Maarten, so I was actually relieved when we ended up in Paradaisia instead. Maybe I can practice my botany more and figure out how to lay the news to my parents easier.
Dear Claudia, what is it about the Dominican Republic that made you consider your plan of visiting that country someday?

OOH! Where do I begin? Well, my ancestors are from there. And it is an absolute DREAM of mine to witness the dancers in the Dominican Republic bust their moves at events like the Merengue Festival and join them in the festivities! But there’s other places I would love to visit. Did you know the D.R. has both the highest and lowest elevation in the Caribbean? And Santo Domingo has a number of firsts in the Americas. The locals will never forget me the day I arrive!
Dear Lauren, so...word on the waves is that you like to "Tan responsibly", huh??? Well then, any advice that you would like to give me with regards to how should I tan responsibly on the beach should I ever decide to go sunbathing someday?

Yeah, I’m very well aware that sunbathing isn’t the healthiest activity out there. It would kill me for this to have adverse effects later on, so I have a variety of different methods to tan. I arm myself with various sunscreens, and I also sometimes wear sunglasses and a wide brim hat for added protection. But I also don’t actually completely rely on the sun, as much as I love it. My diet mainly consists of foods rich in beta-carotenes; some of my favorite fruits include peaches, apricots, cantaloupes, and especially mangoes. These kinds of foods not only fight the damaging effects of a regular tan, but they also help contribute to my sun-kissed glow. If you do decide to sunbathe, I highly recommend you follow my advice. I’ll even tag along if you need a refresher!
Hey, Justin. Did you know that one of your friends, aka Kaitlin Flowers likes you? And when I say "Like", I don't mean she likes you as a best friend, Justin. I mean, she likes you likes you. If you know what I mean...

Oh, Kaitlin? Heh, I’m actually not that surprised. I’m something of a preteen heartthrob due to my modeling career. I know that many other boys would kill to be like me, but I don’t really care to be a chic magnet. I don’t think most girls would like me for who I actually am, but if Kaitlin is an exception and we get together, then maybe I can get all the other girls off my back. That would be such a relief!
Hey, Simone. Did you know that one of your friends, aka Steven Waters likes you? And when I say "Like", I don't mean he likes you as a best friend, Simone. I mean, he likes you likes you. If you know what I mean...

Oh, you don’t say? Well, that’s fascinating. He seems like a fun person to get to know, but I think our shared talents may actually come at odds with each other since we’re both attending the Paradaisian Open Water Swimming Competition. He’s so confident he’s going to win that he’s relaxing instead of training, which is why I CAN’T see him winning. So, if he wants to be my better half, he better show me his full potential!
Dear Monique, can you please tell me a few things about Beauvais Kitchen? How did the restaurant come to be? What's your family like? Are they also cooks who know how to make tasty and exotic Haitian meals like you?

Oh, yeah! My family is VERY hardworking. We harvest fruits and vegetables from our garden, and meat from our barn next door to create the ingredients for the dishes that we serve customers in Beauvais Kitchen. My older brother Francois also helps out, though he’s interested in joining the Paradaisian Army, which makes me a bit nervous. Anyway, you want a menu? I bet you’re starving!
Dear Claudia, what inspired you to become a dancer? How long have you been honing your dancing skills? I also heard that you are skilled in the Merengue Dance. Have you considered the search for a partner who can dance the Merengue just as good as you a hard task?

Ooh, I’ll get to that, but yeah, it was all my mother; she’s the dancer in the family. Quite literally, I started to follow her footsteps in dancing when I was six. Whenever we dance during a party, my teammates can’t help but to stop and watch me, and I love it! As for that perfect partner, I’m always searching for him…with mixed results. But until I find him, the partners I HAVE found serve their purpose pretty well – helping me teach my national dance to other people!
Dear Jasper, what exactly inspired you into wanting to become an archaeologist someday?

I was six years old when my parents started Mysteries of the Caribbean. I grew up behind the camera with them, so I guess you can say I’m continuing my parents’ legacy, my friend. And there is so much opportunity for me in Paradaisia – there are more mysteries to uncover here than anywhere else in the Caribbean combined!
Dear Bruce, tell me...what’s it like? Being the son of the leader of your kingdom's military?

Well for one thing, you get to see what it’s like to maintain Atlantis’s national security up close. I like to get involved in the military’s activities, even if I’m not required to do so, especially at my age. But I can’t help it! What the military does is really cool, though sometimes they do more boring stuff, like watching over the Atlantean border. But one thing I especially like to do is build and even use awesome weapons for battle!
Dear Jasper, so...you like archaeology, huh? Tell me. What kind of interesting historical finds had you found so far? Any...Artifacts? Relics? Maybe a few fossils by any chance?

Ooh, are you interested in archeology yourself, my friend? Paradaisia is like no other place in the Caribbean in terms of how much of it is shrouded in mystery. There are many gaps in its early history that we’re still trying to uncover. Every now and then, my family does find artifacts and relics of a mysterious culture that existed here before the modern Paradaisian people arrived. For example, there is this miniature tablet I wear as a necklace, which has symbols that are presumably of their language. As for fossils, there isn’t too much of that. There are so many animals here thought to be extinct elsewhere, though, so I guess that’s not too surprising!
Dear Turabo, hmm...say, Turabo. Since you seem to be so insistent that the island and its' citizens must be ready for all kinds of potential threats, you wouldn't happen to be teaching self-defense classes to your fellow Paradaisians, right?

Huh. I typically say that from a political perspective, but that’s actually a pretty good idea. My teammates could at the very least learn how to use weapons like I do. Now that I think about it, Ananya has expressed interest in calinda, and Monique has expressed interest in tire machete fencing. Maybe I’ll have a meeting with them now about it. Are you also interested in taking classes? We’ll need all the help we can get!
Dear Ananya, can you please tell me a few things about Maharaj Music? Like, for example.... how did the business come to be? What's your family like? Are they into fun and energetic music like you?

Well, as you might have noticed, my parents are also musicians, and in Paradaisia, it’s very easy to create your own business with all its resources, so that’s what they did. Any business could play music when you enter it, but you never forget you’re in the Most Beautiful Place on Earth when you hear our playlist! And my parents also teach my younger brother Anand how to play music. He’s just as energetic to learn as I am!
Dear Monique, what is it about Haiti that made you consider your plan of visiting that country someday?

Too many things to count. Did you know that Haiti is where the only successful slave revolt in history took place? Unfortunately, no one really appreciated that, and we’re paying the price for it to this day. Someday, I hope to enrich the home of my ancestors with Paradaisia’s resources. But I also want to see the beauty of Haiti that others try to not make you see. Did you ALSO know that the Paradise Palace and the Citadel of Paradaisia are modeled after the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace? I can’t wait to see both!
Dear Simone, how long have you been participating in competitions that have to do with a water sport? How many competitions that have to do with a water sport have you entered so far? How many competitions that have to do with a water sport have you won so far?

I first realized my love for the water when I accidentally fell into the family pool at six. Instead of drowning, I held my breath underwater for as long as I could before resurfacing, and the rest was history. I traveled the Bahamas and then the world to attend swimming competitions, occasionally winning some competitions before I achieved a streak of nine wins. I then took a plane to New York to get my tenth consecutive win there, when I ended up in Paradaisia. So, I guess I will get that win at this year’s annual Paradaisian Open Water Swimming Competition instead. I’ve checked out my competitors already, and yeah, there’s no WAY I’m losing this thing!
Dear Steven, how long have you been swimming? How many swimming competitions have you entered so far? How many swimming competitions have you won so far?

I’ve been swimming since the first grade and entered too many competitions to count. After occasionally winning competitions, I achieved a streak of nine wins before I ended up in Paradaisia. Now I plan to get my tenth consecutive win in this year’s annual Paradaisian Open Water Swimming Competition. That should be a piece of cake. I mean, who could POSSIBLY come along to challenge me?
Dear Simone, out of all the water sports that you had played in so far, which one would you consider as your personal favorite sport to do whenever you're in or around water?

I will always love swimming the most, but I love just about every other water sport. I’m also an accomplished diver. Have you been to the blue holes on Andros Island in the Bahamas? They’re such mysterious and beautiful places to dive into, and Paradaisia has one as well on Mouchoir Island. I’m just as accomplished a surfer, and I was so stoked to get a Three-Board when I first found out about them!
Dear Martha, what is it about Jamaica that made you consider your plan of visiting that island someday?

You see, I’m really eager to visit Montego Bay, which has a high Chinese Jamaican population. You might be surprised to learn that people like us are a thing, but we’re more culturally Jamaican than Chinese. Did you know that Chinese reggae is a thing? I also love music, and that’s my favorite genre! And even though I can’t visit Jamaica yet, it’s not all that bad. One place I already visit is the sunken pirate city of Port Royal. It’s pretty crazy how an earthquake made them sink into the ocean like Atlantis did, huh?
Dear Matthew, have you made any marvelous inventions on your own so far? If so, then can you please tell me about them? I would love to hear about said inventions of yours, Matthew.

Why, indeed I have made quite a few inventions! I’m pretty much the brains of the Bermuda Adventurers. My devices have come in handy on quite a few of our adventures. But it’s not just the inventions, actually. I’ve repaired damaged devices and even helped build structures such as a palatial sandcastle on Navidad Island that we all helped make one day at the beach. You should come join us in there sometime! It’s totally safe, I promise.
Dear Turabo, so...you’re the son of Paradaisia's president? Doesn't it scare you at times? Since you are literally related to your home's leader, the pressure of following your dad's example might be undoubtedly placed onto you by your fellow citizens.

I never really thought about it, actually. I guess I was just raised to believe that I could do anything. I’m sure that’s the same mindset that brought my father to the presidency. There’s no guarantee I’ll become a future president of Paradaisia, of course, since this is a democracy, not a monarchy. Though I will tell you this: being the leader of the Bermuda Adventurers has honed my leadership skills in ways I never really expected. So, you never know, I guess.
Dear Amanda, so...an indoor ski resort, huh??? How on Earth did your friend Matthew manage to build such an amazing place? I mean, where did he even get the snow?

Oh yeah, that played a HUGE role in helping me realize that the cold isn’t everything. The moment that my teammates came up with a way for me to continue snowboarding in Paradaisia was the moment I stopped freaking out about not being able to snowboard anymore in the tropics. Matthew is kind of a genius, though he got help to build the resort. The snow is artificial, of course – it comes from a ceiling that produces snowfall in a similar manner to a snow gun. You should totally join us sometime!
Dear Ananya, what is it about Trinidad and Tobago that made you consider your plan of visiting those two islands someday?

Well, it’s the birthplace of many of the music genres I play! And it’s where my ancestors are from, of course. I really, REALLY hope I can hear the musicians in Trinidad and Tobago play and join them in their music! But there’s the other attractions too. Paradaisian Carnival is great and all, but the Children’s Carnival in T&T must be amazing! And I hear Tobago is more relaxing compared to Trinidad. Imagine how serene the beaches there must be!
Dear Amanda, so...do you ever feel out of place with the islands and their people due to your personal preferences? It's okay, Amanda. As long as your answer is honest, I won't judge.

Yeah, well, a lot less than I used to, I’ll admit. But the other Bermuda Adventurers helped me realize that the cold isn’t everything. I still feel a bit out of place with even the other settlers, though. Sandals are by far the most popular footwear in Paradaisia, but I still wear sneakers, even on the beach. And I was nervous about wearing a swimsuit in front of the others at first since I didn’t wear them too often. On the other hand, I discovered that surfing is a lot like snowboarding, which is pretty cool!
Dear Matthew, woah...your parents are actually the owners of a submarine tour? That sounds awesome! Can you please tell me a few interesting things about it?

No problem! After I came up with the idea for Matthew’s Miraculous Memorabilia, my parents founded Sanchez Multi-Boat Tours, where they make and sell Multi-Boats and also give tours of the country in them. They take visitors all kinds of places in Paradaisian waters, from the coral reefs to the Mouchoir Blue Hole. Interested in a Multi-Boat or a tour? There’s a sale going on right now at Sanchez Multi-Boat Tours as well! Just saying.
Dear Simone, how do you manage to keep yourself in shape so that you would be able to stay in tip-top condition whenever you are partaking in any water sport competitions?

Well, let’s just say that I have something of an urge to undress and hop into a body of water as soon as I see one and stay there for as long as I can to hone my skills. My parents have joked that I practically live in my swimsuit and spend more time wet than I do dry, but they’re not wrong. In other words, I’m just about always in the water, so maintaining my physique is more an afterthought than a concern!
Dear Kaitlin, you know... For a smart girl who likes flowers, you sure know how to look cute and stylish whenever you are in a tropical environment. What's your secret?

Oh, stop it! Sometimes I’m actually insecure about my appearance because of Victoria. She was the most popular girl at Ludington Middle School before she TOO ended up in Paradaisia with me. What are the odds, right? But that was when I found out that Victoria and I buy from many of the same clothing brands. For example, we both bought new swimsuits for this summer at Suntropics Swimwear. What are the odds, right?
Dear Niraj, what is it about Guyana that made you consider your plan of visiting that country someday?

While I love the plants of the merfolk world, I’m just as fascinated with the plants of the surface world. I’m really interested in checking out Kaieteur National Park the day I finally grow legs, which has flora and fauna that can’t be found anywhere else in the world! Yeah, Guyana is really part of South America, but culturally, it is definitely a Caribbean country and is even the headquarters for the Caribbean Community. It will be amazing to see plants with golden rocket frogs inside up close!
Dear Glover, what is it about coral that made you love them very much?

I have a very intimate connection to coral reefs. After all, I was born in the Belize Barrier Reef, the world’s second largest coral reef. But when I found out about coral bleaching, I was devastated. My parents work at the Atlantis Environmental Protection Agency, which inspired me to become an environmentalist myself so I can find a solution to coral bleaching. Atlantis National Park consists of much of Atlantis’s coral reefs, and I love to spend my days at the park to study the various coral species that live there. My jewelry is actually made from coral, but I waited until the coral was dead from natural, non-human causes before I made it. Most of the world’s biodiversity is inhabited and protected by indigenous people like me, and I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to that protection.
Hey, Lauren. Did you know that one of your friends, aka Johnny Summers likes you? And when I say "Like", I don't mean he likes you as a best friend, Lauren. I mean, he likes you likes you. If you know what I mean...

Oh, really? Well…that’s interesting. He seems like a nice guy, but he’s got a pretty unhealthy tan, which caught me off guard when I first saw him. If he does decide to get closer to me, I’ll be sure to let him know exactly what he’s done to his body. He probably isn’t going to like it, but if he’s going to be MY significant other, he’s going to have to lighten up his tan – and following my advice should do the trick!
Dear Kaitlin, so...you like flowers, huh? Well then, tell me. What flower would you consider as your personal favorite flower?

Well, I think the flower on my headband is a Hibiscus, so I guess that’s my favorite. But I like all flowers really. Paradaisia is a melting pot of Caribbean cultures, and it’s apparently a cultural custom for girls to wear the national flower of the respective country their ancestors were from in their hair. Monique also has a Hibiscus in her hair. Ananya has what she calls a Chaconia, and Suzanna has what’s called a Mariposa. Claudia has what’s called a Bayahibe, which are apparently endangered in the outside world. But they’re plentiful in Paradaisia like many other endangered or extinct Caribbean species.
Dear Justin, what exactly inspired you into wanting to become a botanist when you grow up instead of growing up to be a fashion model just like the rest of your family?

Well, I don’t mean to sound nerdy, but plants are actually a lot cooler than you might think. They give us oxygen to breathe, wood to build homes, shade to cool off from the sun, and fruits and vegetables for us to eat and make meals with. They also make great accessories like the leaf necklace and bracelets I wear to remind me of my hobby when I model. Plants are just so important to life on Earth, which is why I feel I’m doing something just as important by helping manage them.
Dear Maritza, what is it about Puerto Rico that made you consider your plan of visiting that island someday?

Well, you see, every now and then I visit the waters of Puerto Rico to take a glance at its shores. Let’s just say that our Atlantean ancestors did some…unpleasant things on land a long time ago that made us become merfolk in the first place. The other undersea nations don’t want us to become human out of fear that we still want to do those things, but we don’t, and we are trying to prove that to them. The day we do, I’m finally stepping foot on Puerto Rico! And the reason why is not just because it is my second home. There is much justice to be served for my land-dwelling people. Whether or not you support a certain political status doesn’t interest me as much as righting the wrongs created by colonization, whatever form that may take, and I’m very well positioned to do that as a political leader. I’m also interested in checking out Old San Juan in particular. It’s so pretty from the shore and I bet it’s even prettier up close!
Dear Martha, what is it about starfishes that made you love them very much?

I mean, I don’t know if it’s because I have Rosalie, Glover and Niraj for friends, but I just love nature. I love to spend my days at Atlantis National Park to study the various starfish species that live there. You can’t pick them up or disturb them, but once they’re dead, you can preserve them and turn them into pretty accessories, which I’m pretty good at doing. The starfish I wear is the red cushion sea star, a common species in the Caribbean Sea. It really complements my red tail, don’t you think?
Dear Bruce, so...word under the waves is that your family is responsible for fashioning technology in your kingdom, eh???? Tell me. Are you willing to show us a few notable examples of your wonderful kingdom's technology, Bruce?

Why, definitely! I spend much of my free time designing technology for the Atlantean Army with my mother at a business in Atlantis called Blackett Blacksmiths. She invented the Broken Trident, which is my favorite weapon to use. Why is it broken, you may ask? It’s a reference to the Barbadian flag. The trident symbol is taken from Barbados' colonial badge, in which Britannia holds the trident of Poseidon. The broken lower part is a symbolic break from its status as a colony. But that doesn’t mean it’s hard to wield. It still has a handle, it’s just that it’s much shorter. And it is capable of detaching from the actual trident, which is connected by an extendable chain. This enables me to use the trident at the same distance as a staff, though you must be skilled in wielding a chain, rather than a staff, to use it properly. It can also emit electricity like many of Atlantis’s other weapons. We also wield staffs with small pyramids at the ends of them, which are more frequently used.
Dear Johnny, so...you like sunbathing, huh? What is it about sunbathing that made you consider it as your personal summertime activity, Johnny?

Relaxing, relaxing, and more relaxing, baby! After a tough school year with the meanest social studies teacher you can imagine, you just want to spend your days doing nothing more than lying down in the sun, you know?
Dear Steven, how do you manage to keep yourself in shape so that you would be able to stay in tip-top condition whenever you are partaking in any swimming competitions?

Lots and lots of training! At Ludington Middle School, I also had a high physical education grade. I can’t be graded in Paradaisia, obviously, so I especially have to maintain my physique here, but it’s actually pretty easy. The ocean is great, but I really love the swimming holes. Though sometimes I feel that I’ve done enough training, and I relax like Johnny does. He makes it look easy!
Dear Turabo, so...I heard that you're pretty skilled in using the baira aka the Taino bow, huh??? Wow, you must be really skilled in archery, huh? Tell me. How long have you been crafting your archery skills?

My people are very serious about preserving and passing down our cultural traditions. After all, we were almost wiped out by Spanish colonization. My parents in particular are skilled warriors who have taught me how to use various weapons for self-defense since I was very little. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my favorite was the baira, so that’s what they taught me the most. I’ve found it to be very useful during my team’s adventures.
Dear Niraj, what is it about underwater plant life that made you love them very much?

It started with my mother, really. Seaweed is sown into many things in the merfolk world, with seaweed sowing being a profession. My mother is a seaweed sower, who taught me how to sew my seaweed necklace and bracelets. But it wasn’t until my father started to work at the Atlantis Environmental Protection Agency that I was inspired to become an environmentalist myself. Have you heard of sargassum? It is a species of seaweed that floats on ocean currents in large mats that can stretch for miles. At the boundary of Atlantis lies the Sargasso Sea, a vast patch of ocean that the sargassum inhabit. This is where I spend my days studying seaweed and other sea plants. Eventually, I found out about this relatively new environmental crisis, in which sargassum accumulates along the shores of many Caribbean countries. Ever since, I have been trying to find a solution to stop the crisis.
Dear Claudia, can you tell me a few things about The Martinez Dance Company? Like, for example... how did the business come to be? What's your family like? Are they also people who love to boogie and dance like you?

Ooh, yeah! Our business was also all my mother, but my father helped her create it as well. Every now and then, people come in wanting to know how to bust their next move, especially leading up to carnivals and festivals, and obviously, I’m more than happy to provide my services. My older sister Julieta is also a dancer and helps teach people how to dance as well. But my father actually used to be a baseball player. He’s taught me quite a bit about our national sport!
Dear Glover, what is it about Belize that made you consider your plan of visiting that country someday?

Well, I still visit the Belize Barrier Reef, of course. But as a Mayan, I’m really eager to visit Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize. Did you know that it was larger than modern-day Belize City? Sure, Belize is actually part of Central America, and you don’t think of people like me when you think of the Caribbean necessarily, but culturally speaking, Belize is most certainly a Caribbean country. I can’t wait to set foot on my ancestral homelands the day I finally grow legs!
Dear Monique, so... I heard that you are a very good cook, huh??? So... tell me. What exactly inspired you to become a cook, Monique? How long have you been honing your culinary skills, Monique?

Why, are you hungry? You’ve come to the right cook! Us Haitians take our food VERY seriously, but my parents are particularly passionate about cooking. They’ve been teaching me how to keep the belly full since I was six, and for the longest time, I didn’t know anything else. But that’s fine, because the smiles I see from my teammates when they eat my food makes me smile back!
Dear Matthew, I had read about your family's wonderful invention aka the Three-Board. I got to say...it’s a really impressive piece of work, my friend. So... tell me. What exactly inspired your family to create this incredible invention, Matthew?

Glad you asked! My parents and I developed the concepts for what would become the Three-Board during our diving, swimming, and surfing by the beach when we were still in Miami. But it wasn’t until we ended up in Paradaisia that we found the mechanisms required to make the board work. Are you interested in getting one? There’s a sale going on right now at Matthew’s Miraculous Memorabilia! Just saying.
Dear Johnny, other than sunbathing, what kind of activity that you like to do during the summer would you consider as your personal favorite summertime activity?

I think surfing is pretty cool! Have you tried a Three-Board? It’s an invention from my friend Matthew. You can go surfing, skateboarding AND hoverboarding on it! Beach volleyball is also growing on me. Ananya, Claudia, Monique and Suzanna love to play that. But going on Bermuda Adventures with everyone else is probably the best summertime activity of all!
Dear Suzanna, what is it about Cuba that made you consider your plan of visiting that island someday?

It’s where my ancestors are from; could you blame me? I’ve asked Matthew if he wanted to come with me if I ever got the chance, but he’s a bit reluctant. I guess I can’t blame him, but I can’t help but to be curious. As a tourist, I’d love to catch a glimpse of a less complicated time, like more of those old cars and buildings in Old Havana. I’ll bet the Spanish architecture looks amazing!
Dear Bruce, what is it about Barbados that made you consider your plan of visiting that country someday?

Well, like most Atlanteans, I hope that I’ll finally get the chance to grow legs and visit my second country. I’m pretty interested in checking out Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. It’s a major tourist destination, after all. And did you know that Barbados recently transitioned from a British Commonwealth realm to a republic? It’s like breaking the trident twice. If you ask me, there couldn’t be a better time to visit my fellow Bajans!
Dear Suzanna, can you please tell me a few things about Valenzuela Boutique? Like, for example... how did the business come to be? What kind of clothes does your family's boutique specialize in? What's your family even like?

Valenzuela Boutique was my mother’s idea, though my father also helped create the business. We sell pretty much everything here, except perhaps winter clothes, because who needs THOSE in the Caribbean? For example, I designed my own swimsuit, as well as Ananya’s, Claudia’s and Monique’s swimsuits. And extra-long hair actually runs in all the females of our family, including my mother and my younger sister Sabrina. We love to take care of each other’s hair and style it in different ways.
Dear Steven, other than swimming, what kind of water sport would you consider as your personal favorite sport to do whenever you're in or around water?

I also surf, even before I met Matthew and got my own snazzy Three-Board. I tried teaching Johnny and Kaitlin, but they were not interested until a moment when they really needed it. Diving is also pretty cool! Gliding across water is much different from exploring the ocean. Paradaisian waters are especially beautiful!
Dear Rosalie, what exactly inspired you to become a person who seeks to conserve and preserve both the underwater world as well as the various animals that can only exist on the surface world?

Well, my mother is the administrator of the Atlantis Environmental Protection Agency. To improve its relations with the other undersea nations, Atlantis became a world leader in environmentalism, and I was inspired by my mother to become an environmentalist myself. I’m partly fascinated with human-made objects to find a solution to clearing garbage from the world’s oceans. As for the imperial amazon, it is the national bird of Dominica, but it’s sadly very endangered, at least in Dominica. That means there are environmental issues to address on land as well. However, I was thrilled to learn about a huge population of imperial amazons in Paradaisia, so when I finally grow legs, I hope to bring some of those parrots to Dominica. It will be an amazing moment!
Dear Ananya, so... I can see that you are an expert in so many kinds of music. Calypso. Soca. Steel pan. Chutney. What exactly inspired you to become a musician? How long have you been honing your musical skills?

Well, my parents have been teaching me how to play music since I was six. My father first taught me how to play chutney, that Indo-Caribbean genre you just mentioned. But I also love steel pan. I went on to write whole albums of instrumentals that I sell at Maharaj Music. Would you like to get one? Everyone loves to watch me play my music in front of the store. And my teammates love to dance to my beats whenever we party!
Dear Kaitlin, what is it about flowers that made you love them very much?

They’re really pretty! And they come from nature, which is a very fascinating thing to read about. I like to spend my days at the beach reading a good book about plants and animals or history. Victoria can call me weird all she wants for that, but you never know when that knowledge will come in handy for the next Bermuda Adventure!
Dear Maritza, doesn't it bother you that you and your fellow mermaids have nothing to wear except shell bras? I can imagine that some of your fellow mermaids are actually quite shy girls who are not keen on exposing their non-private human parts.

Okay…well, I guess I can’t blame you for being curious as a human! You may have noticed that, well, “certain areas” of our bodies are, well, obviously not visible, right? Well, all I’ll say is that our tails are very thick, and they do a good job at hiding what you don’t want to be seen until you need it for whatever reason. In other words, it’s like organic clothing, if that makes sense. But us mermaids do need shell bras since we’re, you know, half human. And that’s fine by me since I love designing them! As for your other question, clothes aren’t actually that necessary underwater, so if you see a mermaid wearing more than just a shell bra, it’s not usually because they have low self-esteem like humans do. It’s because they want to indicate their privilege as, say, a government official, like how I wear my woven sea grass cloak during my royal duties. I will say this though: I’m VERY eager to try on some human clothes the day I finally get the chance to go on land!
Dear Jasper, so...your family had a TV documentary series, huh? Mysteries of the Caribbean, was it? How long was it on air? What was it about?

Ah, yes! Mysteries of the Caribbean was on the air for about five years. I traveled with my parents on a private plane to unravel some of the greatest mysteries in the Caribbean. We’d then report back to Jamaica, where we’d document our findings. Sadly, after my parents and I crash-landed here in Paradaisia, the show had to be canceled because its hosts went missing. But that’s okay – if we ever find a way out of here, I’ll be sure to share everything I’ve learned about Paradaisia with the rest of world, my friend!
Dear Steven, so...word on the waves is that you're an accomplished swimmer, right??? That means you must have participated in a number of swimming competitions, right???

Indeed, I have! I crush stereotypes on the DAILY. At Ludington Middle School, I was the most celebrated and respected student at swim meet. I know being stuck in Paradaisia means that I won’t be able to maintain that reputation in the seventh grade, but it doesn’t bother me. Have you SEEN this place?!?
Dear Suzanna, so...I heard that you are a very talented fashion designer, huh??? So... tell me. What exactly inspired you to become a fashion designer, Suzanna? How long have you been honing your fashion designing skills, Suzanna?

I mean, what girl doesn’t love clothes, right? And few girls love clothes better than my mother, who is also a fashion designer. There was nothing she put on that I didn’t love, but it wasn’t until six that I drew my first original outfit. I’ve designed most of the clothes I’ve worn ever since, including my hair wraps for my hair. I’ve also designed quite a few of my teammates’ outfits.
Dear Rosalie, what is it about Dominica that made you consider your plan of visiting that island someday?

You see, I have a very intimate connection to my other country. My tail is purple, and Dominica’s flag is one of only two in the world that have the color purple! Guess where the purple comes from? The imperial amazon! And while my environmentalist motives for setting foot on Dominica are important and mean a lot to me, I am also really interested in checking out Boiling Lake. Did you know it’s the second-largest hot spring in the world? It’s too hot for swimming, but it must be breathtaking to see!
Dear Johnny, what is it about summer that you consider it as your personal favorite out of the four seasons?

It’s hot, just the way I like it! School’s also out, which means you don’t have to get dressed to go to school. Just let the sun’s rays soak your body, cool off with some water and ice cream, and you’re good to go!
Dear Lauren, so...you like sunbathing, huh? What is it about sunbathing that made you consider it as your personal summertime activity, Lauren?

Well, you see, when I went to the beach in Miami, I liked the tans my friends were getting and wanted one myself. I wasn’t good at it at first, but eventually, I managed to achieve what my friends called "the most attractive tan on the beach". Sunbathing has also slightly sun-bleached my hair, but I think it really adds to all the attention I receive!
Dear Suzanna, you know... does anybody on your island ever tell you that you have long and gorgeous hair? I mean, seriously. It looks stylish and somewhat attractive. What's your secret?

Aww, gee, EVERYONE tells me that! I’ve grown it to this length since birth. I use all kinds of special methods to keep it strong and healthy, including castor oil provided by Monique. While I’m very proud of my hair, it has its challenges, which is why I sometimes wear head wraps. Some people think I’m shy about my hair when I wear them, though, but why would I be? It’s what makes me unique!
Dear Maritza, tell me. What is it about seashells that made you love them very much?

Well, they’re really pretty and make the perfect accessories! Aside from my royal duties, I’m a fashion designer who likes designing my own shell bras and shell jewelry. My mother eventually encouraged me to launch my own fashion line called Fuentes Shells. My bras are popular among Atlantean girls for their style, comfort and brand recognition. But seashells have other uses as well. I’m also searching for the perfect queen conch, which makes the perfect instrument to amplify a merfolk’s singing voice.
Dear Rosalie, so...word under the waves is that you collect all kinds of doohickeys from the human world, right???? So... tell me. What kind of interesting gadgets, gizmos, whosits, whatsits and thingamabobs have you collected so far? Perhaps a dinglehopper or two?

I mean, I just think the surface world is so fascinating, since my people haven’t been allowed to visit it. I can’t help but to check out all these things that humans leave behind to get a better understanding of their lifestyle. Perhaps unfortunately, it’s very easy to find. I’ve found a lot of jewelry like the necklace I wear, beach items like pails and shovels, and even scuba gear. Since it’s all ocean pollution, I don’t keep most of it forever, so after a while, I attempt to shove it as far away from water as I can.
Dear Amanda, so...you like snowboarding, huh??? What is it about snowboarding that made you consider it as your personal favorite winter sport, Amanda?

You see, my parents and I are thrill seekers who hope to conquer the world. And we did that by traveling to different snowboarding locations around the world and making our mark on their slopes! Our snowboards laid claim to half the planet before we ended up here on THESE islands, but if we ever get out of here, the rest of the world will be ours soon enough!
Why does Sapphire kind of look like a blue Hulk?

Christina is made of sapphire as Sapphire, not actually blue skinned. It just looks that way because I figured that it would be distracting to draw all the facets in.
Christina has what powers and what gemstones?

You name it, she can probably do it, but it depends on the gemstone. She starts out with the twelve birthstones (Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz and Turquoise).
Can Roxanne inflate like a ball and bounce?

Sure, though the ball would be metallic and would act more like a wrecking ball.
Is Roxanne the brains of the team?

She's definitely the most inquisitive, especially when it comes to the cultures of both humans and aliens.
Isn't Roxanne supposed to wear a skintight suit?

The Macrocosm Clay is applied to clothes; it does not create a tight suit. The different components of the Macrocosm Orb behave differently.
Can Roxanne morph into small devices like a phone or a handheld gaming system with her face as the screen?

She can't transform into anything smaller than herself, but she can transform part of her body into those things. Theoretically, she could put her face on a device she creates, just not become the device outright.
Can Roxanne inflate like a balloon?

She can change her shape to a lesser extent, which makes her invulnerable to most conventional forms of physical attack.
Is this inspired by DC's Dial H for Hero and the iconic cartoon Ben 10?

I was more inspired by the abilities people believed gemstones had throughout history, but I'm a huge Ben 10 fan, though!
What does Roxanne's skintight suit do and what is it made of?

It's made of clay in its default state, which covers her clothes in a layer so thin it feels like her regular clothes, essentially becoming a second layer of fabric. It takes on its natural clay texture when she stretches, but it also turns into metal when she turns part of it into technology.
Can Roxanne inflate herself with helium and fly?

No, but she can create flying devices.
How far can Roxanne stretch?

I haven't determined her upper limits yet, but you'll see some examples soon!
What's the biggest machines Roxanne can morph into and how big?

Spaceships would definitely be the biggest machines. They can vastly differ in size though, so I have yet to determine the upper limits of that.
What other elastic stuff can Roxanne do?

She can shapeshift all or some parts of her body into any technology ever imagined by any intelligent race in the history of the universe.
Can Roxanne flatten and stretch herself into something like a parachute or a trampoline?

She can't get flatter or transform into anything flatter than herself, but she can transform part of her body into those kinds of things.
Will the Cosmorphs have to save the Albuquerque biopark and its zoo and aquarium?

Not quite, but there are storylines involving the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
What kind of machines can Roxanne transform into?

Anti-gravity devices, armors, biomedical engineering devices such as prosthetics, cryonics devices for cryosleep, devices for faster-than-light communication and travel, devices capable of telekinesis, devices that can create wormholes, teleportation devices, spaceships, robots, weapons such as swords and guns, and spacesuits designed to visit planets inhospitable to humans.