Joseph's Picture of His Traveling Circus Story- written in Polish
I know it has been awhile since I posted another kid interview. Fortunately for you, this one was worth waiting for.
Charles and I met young Joseph in NYC (his mom is a model and had a job in the city with Charles’ parents). I was struck by how mature Joseph seemed and how easily he took to both Charles and I. The boys hit it off and we planned to meet up in Paris (his home) when we were in France. Today, the boys were elbow deep in Lego, and during a lull, I snagged Joseph for a brief chat.
Joseph is 6 1/2 years old. He was very concerned that I included the half, since he is no longer simply six. He lives in Paris with his mom. He speaks French, Polish and English fluently. Oozing with confidence and never short on words, he loved our little ‘research’ moment and was pleased that we had something in common: we both were writing books about travel.
Do you like to travel?
We travel a lot since my mom is a model. It is very cool to see new places and I get to visit my dog and dad in Poland and my friends when we go to Los Angeles.
Where is your favorite place that you have traveled to?
The Grand Canyon! It was so beautiful. We went up in the biggest helicopter I have ever been on–it had 8 seats, not just 4! We also went up to see it in a hot air balloon. It is the most interesting place I have ever been to.
What kinds of things do you learn when you travel?
When I fly by myself, I get to meet the captain and ask what all of the buttons are for in the cockpit and how the computers fly the plane. I learn a lot about airplanes this way. Also, when I wait, I look out the window at the airport and watch the people put the bags in the planes and driving around important things.
What advice do you have for other kids who are traveling?
Pack light. Do not try to put too many toys or things to do in your bag. The problem is: it is too heavy and you spend more time playing with the things that you already have at home and can’t enjoy the place where you are. Spend less time on your computer or iPad and learn about the place you traveled to.
What advice do you have for parents who plan to take their kids traveling with them?
Don’t lose your kid.
How is traveling similar or different to a school field trip?
On a field trip, you can’t do anything you want or go to another museum if you don’t like the one you are in, so it is less fun than traveling. But a field trip is more fun in some ways because you are with all of your friends.
What has traveling taught you?
Travel has given me an idea for a book my dad and I are writing. I want to show it to you, but it is on my dad’s computer in Poland. (Joseph runs to his room to find his sketchpad/journal to show me pictures of his characters.) It is about a boy named Nulils. He and his parents work at a traveling circus. His dad is a clown and his mom is a tightrope-walker. Nulils has a trick. A matchbox full of lice (not sure with the translation if he means fleas, but it is his story, so I say nothing) that he uses a magnifying glass and a projector to show the audience on a big screen the lice doing their tricks (Joseph laughs at this thought). There is also a cat named Madame Miau Miau and then the nasty Maestro Abra Kadabra. (Joseph goes on and on about his story and shows me so many sketches of lice and characters. He is so proud of his work. And, honestly, I’m impressed.)
The Matchbook of Lice and Magnifying Glass
Madame Miau Miau and the Cat Pyramid
I met 11-yr. old Naz at the airport on my way to Louisville, KY. I was sipping hot green tea when she caught my eye. She was giggling with her brother and father and she flashed me a smile that lit up the terminal.
