Justin Stuart’s first book is out now and has all the elements of a great story that children and parents will love
Justin, can you give us an overview of the book and the series? What is it? What is it doing? Who’s it for?
The Blobs is a mix of my favourite genres—comedy, sci-fi, action, and adventure. The characters actually came from a time when I was tired of being so analytical on YouTube, so I took a break and started drawing with my daughter. Just sitting together, drawing on my iPad, making up new characters—she helped name some of them, which was brilliant. Goosebob, for example, came from her. It was just really childlike and free, not overthinking anything, just enjoying creating.
I wanted to create something deeper, like a ‘fine dining’ experience for kids
After making a load of characters, I grabbed a notebook and started writing a story. I didn’t set out to make a book or anything, I just wanted to have fun like I did as a kid. But as I wrote, and looking at what’s out there for kids – I realised a lot of things kids read are a bit like fast food: they’re fine, but they’re not the best for you. I wanted to create something deeper, like a ‘fine dining’ experience for kids – a story with depth, character development, world building. I almost see it as Star Wars for kids, with all these worlds, characters, and villains.
The main story follows these Blobs who have to leave their home planet because a giant meteor is about to destroy it. Five of them get in an escape pod and crash-land on an unknown planet, where there are villains with a dark plan. They’re forced into a situation where they have to save the galaxy, one of them gets captured, so there’s adventure, danger, and teamwork.
What sort of age group are you aiming at?
It’s written for ages 8 and up. The sweet spot is probably 8 to teenage years, but there’s nothing stopping a younger reader or an adult from enjoying it – anyone who can read will get something out of it, there’s enough going on for older kids and even adults.
I want kids to relate to a character and see that no one is perfect, but you can grow and change
In terms of worldviews, values, messages, what are you trying to communicate through The Blobs?
I’m a Christian, so my values and morals naturally come through, but it’s not an overtly Christian book. I want to weave in themes of redemption, forgiveness, and growth. Each character is different – one struggles with anxiety, another doesn’t have a parent, another gets caught up in lying and has to learn from it, another is outgoing and a bit reckless. I want kids to relate to a character and see that no one is perfect, but you can grow and change. Life is about learning and getting better, and I hope that comes through. I want readers to see that character development and think, “I can change too.”
How does your faith influence the story?
For me, it flows naturally. It’s like marriage – I don’t have to go around announcing I love my wife every day, you just see it. Same with my faith: I don’t have to make the book preachy, but my worldview is there. It can be easy to be preachy, but I think Jesus was more relational than that. He had moments of preaching, but a lot of his impact was in connecting with people. So, I want my writing to connect with kids wherever they are, not just lecture them.
How did you balance the need to entertain with the desire to say something meaningful?
It felt natural because I approached it with the mindset of creating something fun and childlike. But storytelling still takes a lot of intentionality – thinking about what kind of story will connect with this generation, what kind of growth or values I want to show. I include things I’ve learned from scripture or personal experience, or things I’ve seen in others, and put them into the story in a way that feels real, not forced.
That’s what I love – creating something that both kids and adults can enjoy together
Have you had feedback from families?
I’ve been really encouraged. I’ve heard from parents who say they enjoyed reading the story even before their kids did. One family told me the husband was more excited to read it than his son! That’s what I love – creating something that both kids and adults can enjoy together. It’s about integration, not just making something for kids that adults have to tolerate or vice versa.
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How much of the book is shaped by your own faith journey or family life?
There are definitely moments drawn from my experiences and I pull from different people I’ve known over the years – unique personalities I’ve encountered. But then the task is to take those traits and imaginatively put them into the characters, not as direct copies, but as inspiration. People have told me they relate to specific Blobs, which is great to hear.
What’s next for The Blobs?
We’re planning the story as a six-part series at least. There’ll be more planets, more villains, more action, more fun. We already have an audiobook with sound effects, voice actors, and music to make it feel cinematic. And we’re planning to take it beyond books – there’s an animation in the works. We have big plans to keep building the world of the Blobs.
