Kids Ask Author: Panda is Missing! Story & Interview
Kids Ask Author: Panda is Missing! Story & Interview
Join us for a readaloud of Panda is Missing! and a fun Q&A with author Starrla Cray, answering kids' questions about pandas, robots, and the story's inspiration.
Introduction
Welcome back to "Kids Ask, Authors Answer," a delightful series where we bring together curious kids and talented children's book authors for a fun and engaging session. In each episode, we have a read aloud of the book, and then children who have read the book in advance have sent in their questions for the author. The author then answers these questions on the spot, without prior knowledge of what the questions are. This creates a spontaneous and often entertaining interaction that reveals more about the creative minds behind beloved children's books. Your kids can join in on the next episode too! There is information on how to participate at the end.
Meet the Authors
Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els
The show is hosted by Amy Doslich and Sam Howard-Els, both accomplished children's book authors. Amy Doslich is known for the "Hannah Banana and Mary Berry" series, while Samantha Howard-Els is recognized for her "Mungo" series and "Tiny Boo Halloween" book. Together, they create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where authors share insights and anecdotes, answering the questions sent in by their young fans.
Joining Amy and Sam in this episode is Starrla Cray, the author and illustrator of "Panda is Missing!" Starrla shares that this is her first book in the Robot Adventure series, with two more nearly complete and hopes for "millions and zillions" more to come. She also reveals a fun personal fact: she has two pet frogs named Moss and Muddy, who are never grumpy—unlike the famously frowny "grumpy frogs" found in South Africa.
"Panda is Missing!" introduces us to two robot friends, Zinc and Cobalt. The story opens with a crisis: Zinc’s super special, extra soft stuffed panda bear has vanished. The room is a mess, and Cobalt suggests cleaning up to find Panda, but Zinc is too worried to focus on tidying. The search for Panda quickly becomes an imaginative adventure, with the robots considering wild possibilities—maybe Panda was snatched by a lion or a dinosaur, or perhaps he’s just hiding.
Cobalt, ever the problem-solver, consults a book about pandas to figure out what kind of home Panda might like. The book reveals that giant pandas live in mountain ranges in South Central China and love bamboo. The robots spring into action, building a mountain out of household items and searching for bamboo (settling for celery as a substitute). They even try to make the house breezy with fans, hoping to entice Panda out of hiding.
As the robots consult their book, they realize a key detail: the facts are about giant pandas, but Zinc’s panda is tiny, like an orange. This leads to a frantic clean-up, as they decide that maybe their efforts to recreate a panda habitat were misguided. After a thorough tidying, Zinc discovers Panda was there all along, hidden in the mess. The story ends with a gentle reminder that sometimes, the solution is right in front of us—we just need to clear away the clutter to see it.
Starrla’s inspiration for the robot characters came from a simple moment: seeing a cute robot animation over a decade ago. She began doodling robots, which evolved into stories, jokes, and eventually, fully realized characters. The adventures of Zinc and Cobalt have been with her for over ten years, growing from sketches to the stars of her books.
When asked about the funny ideas in the story—like building a mountain or using celery as bamboo—Starrla explains that she always starts with her characters. She imagines what they would do in a given situation, drawing on her experiences as a preschool teacher, where children’s creativity with everyday objects often inspires her.
One of the most charming aspects of the episode is the segment where children who have read the book send in their questions for the author. These questions range from the practical to the whimsical, and Starrla’s answers offer insight into both her creative process and the world she’s built.
Why is Cobalt throwing books?
A young reader noticed Cobalt’s frantic search for answers led to books being tossed around. Starrla reassures that Cobalt is usually careful, but in the panic of helping his friend, he made an exception. She praises the child for caring about book care—a value she shares.
Why did the robots make a big mess?
The mess, Starrla explains, was a result of the robots’ excitement and focus on their mission. Sometimes, when we’re determined to solve a problem, we forget about everything else.
Are the robots brothers, twins, or best friends?
Robots, Starrla says, are a bit different from people. Zinc and Cobalt come from the same factory, so they’re related in a way, but they’re also best friends.
Do robots need bedtime or do they just turn off?
In the world of "Panda is Missing!," robots have bedrooms and beds. Their beds have special blankets that charge them, much like a wireless phone charger. So, they do "sleep" in their own way.
What kind of noise do the robots make?
Cobalt, who has wheels, makes a fast, rolling sound, while Zinc, with springs, bounces with a boingy noise.
Do the robots have a robot vacuum or a normal one?
They have a robot vacuum, which they can power themselves—no charging required!
Are the panda facts in the book real?
Yes, the facts about giant pandas are accurate, but they don’t apply to tiny stuffed pandas like Zinc’s.
What does bamboo taste like?
Starrla describes bamboo as being like a very tough celery, almost like a piece of bark—delicious for pandas, but not for people.
Do the robots know facts about red pandas?
Cobalt has a book about red pandas, and Amy shares that red pandas are more closely related to raccoons than to giant pandas.
Why is there a ladybug in the book?
A sharp-eyed reader noticed a ladybug following the robots. Starrla reveals it’s the same ladybug throughout the book, appearing ten times (plus bonus appearances on the spine and after the story). The ladybug will be a recurring character in future books, even taking a starring role in the next installment.
Why did they draw a face on the orange?
The robots, in their brainstorming, got distracted and started doodling on oranges—a playful detail that many kids can relate to.
Why did you choose robots as your main characters?
Starrla’s love for robots began with a simple animation and grew into a passion for drawing and storytelling. The characters became real to her over time, and their personalities drive the stories.
What inspired the story? Was it based on real life?
Starrla admits that sometimes, like Zinc, she makes a bigger deal out of problems than necessary. The story is a metaphor for those moments when the answer is right in front of us, but we’re too distracted to see it.
The episode also features a rapid-fire trivia round, where Starrla answers as many questions as possible about pandas and robots in one minute. The questions range from the colors of giant pandas (black and white) to what pandas eat (bamboo), and even what a group of pandas is called (an "embarrassment"—a delightful fact that surprised everyone).
This playful segment not only entertains but also highlights the educational value of children’s books, sparking curiosity about animals, technology, and language.
"Kids Ask Authors Answer" isn’t just about reading stories—it’s about making children active participants in the world of books. By inviting kids to send in their questions, the show fosters a sense of community and ownership. Children see that their observations matter, their curiosity is valued, and their voices can reach the very people who create the stories they love.
The episode includes birthday shoutouts for kids who sent in questions, making the experience personal and celebratory. There are also giveaways, opportunities to win fun prizes, and encouragement for kids to join the conversation on social media or through email. The show’s creators have even established a Kidlit support group on Instagram and Facebook, connecting families with over 150 children’s authors, free ebooks, and new releases.
At its heart, "Panda is Missing" is a story about friendship, problem-solving, and the importance of perspective. Zinc’s panic over his missing panda leads to a whirlwind of activity, but the real solution comes from slowing down, cleaning up, and looking at things with fresh eyes. It’s a gentle reminder for children (and adults) that sometimes, the answers we seek are closer than we think.
Hearing directly from Starrla Cray gives young readers a window into the creative process. They learn that stories don’t just appear—they grow from years of imagination, observation, and a willingness to see the world through a child’s eyes. Starrla’s openness about her inspirations, her love for her characters, and her delight in children’s questions makes the world of "Panda is Missing!" feel even more accessible and alive.
Starrla Cray’s Robot Adventure series is just beginning, with two more books on the horizon and plans for many more. The recurring ladybug, the evolving personalities of Zinc and Cobalt, and the blend of humor, heart, and hidden facts promise to keep young readers engaged for years to come.
For families and educators, "Kids Ask authors Answer" offers a model for how to make reading interactive, joyful, and deeply meaningful. By combining storytime with author interviews and kid-driven questions, the show turns books into living conversations—ones that inspire, educate, and connect.
If your child wants to join the fun, they can send in questions for future authors, celebrate their birthdays with a shoutout, or participate in giveaways. Following the show and its authors on social media opens doors to a vibrant community of readers, writers, and dreamers.
For more updates on Starrla Crays’s books, you can follow her on Instagram (@starrlacraywrites) or Facebook (@robotadventurebooks). The next Robot Adventure book is expected in spring or summer 2026, and the anticipation is already building.
Children’s questions are the heartbeat of great storytelling. They remind us that every detail matters, every character has a story, and every book is an invitation to wonder. "Panda is Missing!" and the "Kids Ask Authors Answer" segment celebrate this magic, showing that when kids and authors connect, stories become more than words on a page—they become adventures shared, mysteries solved, and friendships formed.
So next time you read a book with a child, encourage their questions. You never know where their curiosity might lead—or what new adventures might begin.
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Want your kid to participate in the next episode? Make sure you are subscribed to our YouTube channel to see who the next author coming soon is, read their book (always a free option!), and then send your questions to KidsAskAuthors@yahoo.com.
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