mobile logo

Blog

Picture Book Recc- Emergency Quarters

Emergency Quarters by Carlos Matias and Gracey Zhang is a really dope new picture book that I read with my daughter recently. Check out this video where I explain a bit about the book!

Link to video

This is a dope story about responsibility, bravery, and trust as this kid is maturing enough that he can walk to school by himself. When he goes his Mama gives him quarters to call her in case of an emergency. On his travels we see his community and all kinds of temptation haha. Matias and Zhang did an incredible job with this one. Hats off to the editor, art director, publisher, and agencies involved

Review it on The Story Graph! Request it at your local library or independent bookstore.

What’s this? Whew, I’ve read over 500 picture books y’all! An author who I admire and respect “Adrianna Cuevas” was sharing her favorite books and it inspired me to share some of mine with you. I’ve read ok books, garbage ones, and some that I think are incredible examples of the picture book format. Here and on the socials I’ll be recommending some of my favs. Please support your community and the creators by requesting them at your library or local independent bookstore. Peace. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I am the author and illustrator of Fresh Juice.

Dig this? Check out these reviews of my book Fresh Juice

March 16, 2025
in General
0
0
Read More

School Visit-Garden Village

This past week I got the chance to visit a school out in Daly City CA called Garden Village for #ReadAcrossAmerica week. Ive been to a few San Francisco schools but never to Daly City to read so this is new territory. I spoke to a class of Kindergarten students and 4th graders. Its was lots of fun and the kids had great energy and questions. I hope to make it out there again soon.

School and Library Visits: I’ve been visiting students as a storyteller since 2012 yall. I started as an illustrator first and then I became an author. I visit many schools every single year. I’ve been all over the Bay Area and Ive read to students in California, Texas, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Ohio. At this point I’ve visited over 100 libraries and schools. Recently I put out the call to visit more cities in Northern and Central California. If you’d like to invite me to visit your school or library in the Bay or outside of it, I’m open to travel! Shoot me an email at info@robdontstop.com

Dig this? Check out this visit these photos from my visit to a school during the Texas Book Festival or my visit to Berkeley Public Library.

March 9, 2025
in General, School or Library Visit
0
0
Read More

Buy My Original Art

Hey I painted this poster for Emerson Elementary in Oakland California. They are fundraising for the “African American Male Achievment” program there right now. They’re making prints for their families and they’re selling the original painting. If you’d like to get a bid in on it please

GO HERE

Dig this? Check out these portraits for Chapter 510/ Oakland Public Library

March 3, 2025
in Ilustration
0
0
Read More

Read Aloud of Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria

Skip to 7 min mark to hear the story.

This is a book about an Afro Latina elementary student who’s facing eviction. Her mom doesnt want them to rock the boat, her abuela meanwhile wants to fight. Alejandria has to decide. I illustrated this book during the pandemic and wanted to share it again today because it reminds me that whether some parents want to hear it or not, children like Alejandria exist and are either houseless or facing housing insecurity!

Synopsis: 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!

Publisher link cop it or request it at your local library.

Dig this? A bit of process for the cover for this book.

March 3, 2025
in General, School or Library Visit
0
0
Read More

Gouache portrait of Maurice Cherry

I came across Maurice Cherry almost a decade ago. Maybe even more. Maurice is a talented designer and podcaster. He created the “Revision Path” podcast which get this-interviewed and featured over 500 (yes 500) Black artists, designers, and makers from all over North America. I’m talking about illustrators, web designers, graphic designers, UI/UX designers, and more. So many people from freelance, corporate, and other realms-all doing design in one form or other.

Maurice was kind enough to commission me for two projects in the past using illustration called Recognize (Recognize 1 and Recognize 2 ) which highlighted indigenous and POC voices in design. I dont think it took off the way he wanted it to but I wanted to paint Maurice and just recognize the tremendous amount of research, interviewing, editing, and promoting he did to document Black creatives and the amazing work hes done as a graphic designer. Maurice is someone more colleges should be talking to about his skills and knowledge.

Dig this? Check out this Self Portrait I did in Gouache recently.

March 1, 2025
in Art, Ilustration
0
0
Read More

Youth Writers Workshop- Fairyland

This is pretty damn cool, I get to be an instructor alongside Michaela Ellis w/ young storytellers at thee FAIRYLAND! Isnt that cool, no? I have been going to Fairyland since the 80s yall. First as a child, then as a young parent in the mid 2000’s, and now as a writer/illustrator for the past 4-5 years and as a parent to mydaughter. This workshop is a way to get young storytellers some practice and community. We’ll be working on writing AND drawing our stories in this series so tell a friend. More info: https://fairyland.org/youthwriters

Dig this? Check out that time I was invited to lead a picture book workshop for MFA Comics students at CCA.

February 25, 2025
in Events
0
0
Read More

Feature on Etsy

I was getting a whole bunch of favorites and sales for a sticker in my shop and wondered, who is either talking about my work or featuring it? Now I know. Etsy has a Black Owned Etsy Group which features shops from many disciplines and categories and my work is in there. If you log into Etsy and scroll the main page for Black History Month my “PAUSE” sticker is there. Thank you Etsy for the feature! I appreciate it.

Dig this? Check out my sticker pack of affirmation stickers.

February 21, 2025
in General, Press & Interviews
0
0
Read More
Load More