Books

Art of Rob

2022 | Come Bien Books
Written and illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo

My first self-published art book featuring work from 2015-2020. In it are pages and drawings from sketchbooks, character designs, hand-drawn lettering, short stories, and more. The purpose of this book is to encourage young artists by showing them process and finished art, to offer a way to unplug from screens, and to catalogue personal and professional work.

We Are Yoga / Somos Yoga

2022 | Jill M Guerra Burger
Written by Jill Guerra, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Marianne Teleki

We Are Yoga / Somos Yoga is a bilingual picture book beautifully illustrated to highlight the diversity of yoga’s participants. In addition to being a picture book for read-alouds and for students to read on their own, it is also a resource for teachers, parents, therapists, or anyone working with youth. Through yoga poses, affirmations, and reflections, we can build self-awareness and the tools to navigate this challenging and beautiful life.

Alejandria Fights Back / ¡La lucha de Alejandria!

2022 | Feminist Press
Written by Leticia Hernández-Linares and the Rise-Home Stories Project, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Carla España

For nine-year-old Alejandria, home isn’t just the apartment she shares with Mami and her abuela, Tita, but rather the whole neighborhood. Home is the bakery where Ms. Beatrice makes yummy picos; the sidewalk where Ms. Alicia sells flowers with her little dog, Duende; and the corner store with friendly Mr. Amir.

But lately the city has been changing, and rent prices are going up. Many people in el barrio are leaving because they can no longer afford their homes, and “For Sale” signs are popping up everywhere. Then the worst thing happens: Mami receives a letter saying they’ll have to move out too.

Alejandria knows it isn’t fair, but she’s not about to give up and leave. Join Alejandria as she brings her community together to fight and save their neighborhood!

Sam!

2019 | Penny Candy Books
Written by Dani Gabriel, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Sam is a nine-year-old boy who loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. There’s just one problem: Sam’s family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his sister Maggie, and then his parents, even though it takes them a while to feel comfortable with it. But with lots of love and support, Sam and his family learn and grow through Sam’s journey to embrace his true self.  In the vein of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Sam! is based on the true story of the author’s family. With a note from Gabriel explaining their family’s experience, Sam! is an important addition to a list of books that help children and adults discuss gender identity.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy

2018 | Penny Candy Books
Written by Tony Medina, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo and 12 other artists

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina offers a fresh perspective of young men of color by depicting thirteen views of everyday life: young boys dressed in their Sunday best, running to catch a bus, growing up to be teachers, and much more. Each of Tony Medina’s tanka is matched with a different artist.

One of A Kind, Like Me / Único como yo

2016 | Blood Orange Press
Written by Laurin Mayeno, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. Mommy supports him 100%, and they race to the thrift store to find his costume. It’s almost closing time – will Danny find the costume of his dreams in time? One of A Kind, Like Me / Único como yo is a sweet story about unconditional love and the beauty of individuality. It’s a unique book that lifts up children who don’t fit gender stereotypes, and reflects the power of a loving and supportive community.

Furqan’s First Flat Top / El primer corte de mesita de Furqan

2016 | Come Bien Books
Written and illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Cinthya Muñoz

Furqan Moreno wakes up and decides that today he wants his hair cut for the first time. His dad has just the style: a flat top fade! He wants his new haircut to be cool but when they get to the barbershop, he’s a bit nervous about his decision. He begins to worry that his hair will look funny, imagining all the flat objects in his day to day life. Before he knows it, his haircut is done and he realizes that his dad was right — Furqan’s first flat top is the freshest!

Out of Print

I Am Sausal Creek / Soy el Arroyo Sausal

2015 | Nomadic Press
Written by Melissa Reyes, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Cinthya Muñoz

A bilingual English and Spanish children’s book about the environmental and cultural history of Oakland told through the voice of a local waterway, Sausal Creek.

On the first page, the creek introduces herself and invites the reader to sit and listen to her story. As she winds through memories of watching the Ohlone move freely around her shores, the arrival of people in search of gold, streets being paved, and more, she reminds us that through all of this, her water still flows.

The well-researched text is accompanied by vivid, full-color illustrations created by the artist, Robert Trujillo. In the back, there is a two-page supplemental narrative that offers a more in-depth exploration of the history of the Sausal Creek Watershed and the surrounding neighborhoods.