Meet Tristan Miranda

1. What first sparked the idea for Uncle Unk Becomes an Uncle!? Was there a real “new uncle” moment behind the story?

Absolutely! Funnily enough, the first ideas for this story came about when my brother told me that I was going to be an uncle - and I genuinely panicked. I remember thinking, uh oh, because I’d never been around babies before. Even when I first held my niece and took a picture with her, there was a slight look of panic on my face - it’s quite funny looking back.

2. Unk has a very dramatic reaction to becoming an uncle. Why did you choose humor and exaggeration as the way to explore his fear?

Great question! When I was working out the concept for the story, I wanted to make sure that Uncle Unk could be enjoyed by both kids and adults. So in using over-the-top antics, the thematic content was something that adults could relate to, while the pictures were something that children could laugh at.

3. The book captures how one anxious thought can turn into a whole parade of worst-case scenarios. Was that something you wanted children to recognize in themselves?

Another good question. Yes! That’s exactly the thought process. When I was a kid, I was a huge worrier. I would stress myself out over the smallest, dumbest things, because all my thoughts would spiral toward a worst-case scenario. Forgot to turn in my math tables in first grade? In my mind, that would lead to a demerit in that class, which would carry over into middle school and high school, meaning that I wouldn’t get into the college I wanted and would be a disappointment to my family. Admittedly, it’s an absolutely ridiculous idea, but I think that when we’re kids, our lack of life experience leads us to believe that these worst-case scenarios are logical. So with this story, I wanted it to come across how ridiculous these types of thoughts really are - and how most things tend to work themselves out.

4. Unk starts the story enjoying his carefree life. What did you want readers to understand about change, especially when a new baby joins the family?

I suppose that, with most things in life, changes aren’t necessarily bad. I, for one, am a creature of habit, so the point that I wanted to get across is that, even with some added responsibilities, the outcome is all about the mindset. After all, the best things in life take time, right? Unk just had to look at the positives - those being all the fun experiences and adventures he and Baby Reese could go on.

5. The illustrations are full of great, chaotic, funny details - from the burning pizza cover to Unk’s wild imagination. How closely did you work with illustrator Seth Thompson on those visual moments?

Thank you! Seth did a phenomenal job with this book, and I really enjoyed working with him - enough to work on sequels together! As far as our process goes, we work extremely closely on each story. Before enlisting his help with each book, I create the storyline, text, and illustration descriptions - that way he has a complete look at the story and my vision for it before diving in. The pictures themselves are developed in three stages: rough sketches, digitized background placement, and complete digital illustration. As far as the fine details are concerned - colors, the layout of the house, the style of furniture, the pizza boxes, and the way in which the action is conveyed - that’s all Seth. He really takes my words and breathes life into every page of the story.

6. The story uses rhyme and a strong read-aloud rhythm. Did you always imagine this as a rhyming picture book, or did that develop as you wrote?

Yes! One of the biggest inspirations for me is Dr. Seuss, and I wanted to emulate the colorful, rhyming style his books always have. So from the very beginning, I imagined Uncle Unk as a rhyming picture book. While writing this story, I was just sitting in front of my computer, clapping out each syllable as I kept refining the text to make sure that it was a fun and easy read.

7. Baby Reese is central to the story even before readers fully meet her. What inspired her character and the way Unk imagines her?

Baby Reese’s character is fully based on my own niece. At the time we were designing the characters and illustrating this first story, my niece’s hair and eye color were both still changing. So at the time, my niece had black hair and blue-ish eyes, which is what we used for the character of Reese. But now my Reese’s hair is brown and her eyes are hazel. As for the pink onesie and bow, these were the clothes she’d worn when I first met her in the hospital. So keeping the gigantic bow was a really important visual for me in the story, especially in pictures where Baby Reese is shown as a squid and a meteorite.

8. This book is especially relatable for families preparing for a new baby. What do you hope children take away if they are about to become a sibling, cousin, niece, nephew, or part of a growing family?

The biggest takeaway for kids is that responsibility is a two-way street. Meaning: as much as you teach a new baby lessons, they will teach their own lessons to you. My niece has certainly made me more patient and gentle - as well as given me a few new gray hairs! Honestly, I can’t wait for the day she’s old enough for me to teach her martial arts. Now that’s going to be fun!

9. Unk’s fears are funny, but they are not mocked or dismissed. Why was it important to let him be nervous before the story moved forward?

Great detail! Showing Unk’s fears is important because most people are afraid to admit when they are afraid. Fear is normal, and can be a great motivator in certain situations, so I wanted to show people, “Hey, Unk’s freaking out right now, but he’s going to overcome his fears and realize that his new life is way better than the old one.”

10. At the end of the book, readers are invited to look forward to more Uncle Unk adventures. What can you share about where Uncle Unk might go next?

Heck yes! Uncle Unk is heading to the zoo. Why? Because zoos are awesome. No, but really, we’re heading that direction because most of the storylines going forward are going to be misadventures. Think Tom and Jerry. Except Unk is Tom and Jerry is Baby Reese. So in the subsequent books, Unk is getting bruised and dirty while Reese is having the time of her life. So get ready for some monkey mayhem!

11. Are you an uncle yourself, and if so, how has that role shaped the way you see family, childhood, and showing up for the next generation?

I am indeed an uncle! A new one at that, so I still have a lot to learn. I suppose that this role has most made me realize that a little bit of chaos in life isn’t a bad thing - and that true work-life balance is a struggle, albeit a good one. Being around my niece has made me remember the importance of “being a kid” and playing. Not everything has to be serious.

12. When you’re not writing children’s books, what do you enjoy doing - and does any of that sneak its way into your stories?

When I’m not writing children’s books, I’m usually riding motorcycles, practicing jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, writing adult novels - pirates, monsters, and the like - and playing with my niece. I definitely see an Uncle Unk jiu-jitsu story coming soon!