Why are there no magic flying carpets?
PBK: That is a good question. The djinn used to travel by whirlwind. The magic carpet is more symbolic in literature. Carpet was your fate. You would weave your story on a loom and create your story. Your carpet would show where your life was taking you. The djinn instead travel by whirlwind as they are powered by the elements. In the second book in the series, THE BLUE DJINN OF BABYLON, the Guggenheim Museum fits into part of the story. It’s shaped like a tornado or a whirlwind and thus is the perfect shape for the djinn. KRC: What would YOUR focus word be? Have children shared what theirs would be? PBK: I have not thought of my own focus word. I think it would have to be a German word as they are incredibly long. It would be hard for someone English to use that word easily. Hamburger, for example, is not a good word. The key is to keep it very secret. Humans have overheard focus words and done dangerous things because they had this power. KRC: Is there some social commentary with you
