In Conversation: Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes

  Writer Emily Haynes and artist Sanjay Patel will discuss their collaborative project, Ganesha's Sweet Tooth. Join us as Emily and Sanjay talk about their inspirations and their creative processes. The conversation will be followed by a book signing outside the museum store.

This fresh and funny picture book adaptation tells the story of how Ganesha came to write the epic poem of Hindu literature, the Mahabharata. Ganesha is just like any other kid, except that he has the head of an elephant and rides around on a magical mouse. And he loves sweets, especially the traditional dessert laddoo. But when Ganesha insists on biting into a super jumbo jawbreaker laddoo, his tusk breaks off! With the help of the poet Vyasa, he learns that what's broken can actually be quite useful. Vibrant, graphic illustrations that recall influences from Mary Blair to Bollywood make this a thoroughly modern vision of a classic tale.

Sanjay Patel is an animator and storyboard artist for Pixar Animation Studios, where he has worked on numerous films, including Monsters, Inc.; A Bug's Life; Toy Story 2; Ratatouille; The Incredibles; and Toy Story 3. He has also worked on The Simpsons for Fox and with legendary cartoonist John K., creator of Ren and Stimpy. His previous books include Ramayana: Divine Loophole and the The Little Book of Hindu Deities. He lives in Oakland, California.

Emily Haynes is an editor by day and a children's writer by night. She lives in Oakland, California.