Melissa de la Cruz, renowned for her work on the best-selling Disney franchise “Descendants,” has ventured into the world of graphic novels with her latest creation, “Sloomoo: Making Friends.” Collaborating with her husband, Mike Johnston, this novel not only serves as a whimsical origin story for the Sloomoo slime play space but also delves into themes of friendship and creativity.
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Released on March 24, “Sloomoo: Making Friends” is inspired by de la Cruz’s long-standing friendship with Karen Robinovitz and Sara Schiller, the founders of Sloomoo. The narrative revolves around an 11-year-old character named Daisy Sterling-Chan, whose passion for slime and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) drives the story. Daisy looks up to her idol, the enigmatic slime scientist Miss Joon, who mysteriously disappeared a decade earlier. Fueled by her determination to discover the truth, Daisy enlists the help of Ren Tanaka, a clever and resourceful young girl, to bring the whimsical world of Sloomoo back to life. However, the duo soon discovers that while creating slime may be straightforward, forging genuine friendships can be quite complex.
De la Cruz has described the project as an exploration of friendship, creativity, and the transformative power of connection. Drawing on her personal experiences, she reflects on nearly 30 years of friendship with Robinovitz, recalling their early days as fashion journalists and their collaborative efforts on books during their twenties. “We wrote a book called How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less, and The Fashion East Files,” she recounted. “We’ve maintained our friendship ever since.”
The roots of Sloomoo date back to a family connection, as de la Cruz’s daughter, Mattie, introduced Robinovitz to the world of slime. This connection eventually evolved into the idea of creating a media arm for the Sloomoo concept, which prompted the authors to join forces and develop a narrative that would resonate with young audiences.
“When Karen and Sara proposed adding a media arm to their academy, I couldn’t help but express my enthusiasm,” de la Cruz shared. “Mike and I started to brainstorm how we could transform a bricks-and-mortar slime playground into a captivating narrative.”
One of the critical aspects of the story development involved creating the character of Miss Joon, who embodies a rich backstory reflecting both humour and heartbreak. De la Cruz and Johnston crafted a narrative that showcases Miss Joon’s journey through challenges, ultimately finding joy amidst adversity. “We wanted to weave in elements of Karen and Sara’s experiences into Miss Joon’s character,” de la Cruz explained.
While Daisy was partly inspired by her daughter, de la Cruz also incorporated aspects of her childhood into the character, noting, “Daisy embodies a version of me when I was around nine, a little girl who aspired to be a scientist.” This personal relevance has added depth to the novel, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a more meaningful level.
In terms of format, the choice to produce a graphic novel was clear. De la Cruz recognised that graphic novels are increasingly popular with younger audiences. “Given that this age group is avidly reading visual stories, we decided to create a format that would engage them effectively,” she noted.
Illustrated by the Caballo Loco Studio, “Sloomoo: Making Friends” celebrates creativity, curiosity, and the importance of interpersonal connections. It encourages young readers to embrace their individuality while forging bonds with others, mirroring the overarching messages of friendship found within.
“Sloomoo: Making Friends” is now available for purchase at various bookstores and retailers, allowing families to explore this enchanting narrative that intertwines science, slime, and the essence of true friendship. As de la Cruz and Johnston delve into new storytelling realms, readers can look forward to the imaginative worlds that continue to emerge from this dynamic writing duo.