This is a picture book I read recently and love. Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki is a great book about community, mutual aid, and of course cooking a meal! Check it out from your local library or purchase it from your local bookstore. Watch my review.
Dig this? Check out “Gathering the Sun”
Hey fam, I will be at this years “Fairyland Children’s Book Fair” supporting the Youth Writers Workshop. This past Spring I had the distinct pleasure of working with artist Michaela Ellis to design and plan an awesome series of workshops incorporating team building, games, writing, and drawing exercises, and time to work on their own stories. Some of those stories have been completed and will be published in a journal which you can get that supports young writers. At this years Fest Whitley Gilbert and I will be introducing some of these young creators to you and tabling with them where you can come get your book signed by them 🙂
Ok, come check us out and meet one or two of the 30+ authors who will be there such as Nidhi Chanani, Natasha Triplett, Laura Atkins, Bo Lu, Eugenia Yoh, Malick Sickstein, Charlotte Cheng, Angela Dalton, and more.
September 20th , 10am-4pm
Dig this? Check out their Instagram
Hey fam, I have the pleausre of speaking on a panel for the Story Sunbirds, a new children’s book organization. This is their mission:
At Story Sunbirds, our mission is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive children’s literature community rooted in justice and anti-racism and anti-colonialism. As a collective of writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals, we prioritize the holistic growth and needs of all children, ensuring their voices and experiences are at the forefront of our creative work.
I will be on a panel called “Finding a Unique Path That’s True to You” which will be about getting into making children’s books by any means necessary, with Intisar Khanani, Navjot Kaur, Zetta Elliott, and moderated by Danielle Davis.
Here is a schedule for the other panels and discussions. Even if you dont ask questions or speak, you can still participate by attending.
Dig this? Check out their Instagram
Ey, heres an OG picture book I used to read to my son. Gathering the sun written by Alma Flor Ada and illustrated by Simón Silva. Check out the video and share with anyone who’d be interested. You can request this book at your local library or cop it from here.
Dig this? Check out “A New Kind of Wild” by Zara Gonzalez Hoang
LaRussell & Tope (Vallejo, Ca) – Free The World 2023
I’ve been following LaRussell since 2022 after a homie suggested one of his songs. Been to the backyard, and was so grateful he spoke on this and has faced backlash because of it. Bay Area.
What is this? This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover. My name is Rob and I’m an artist and author from the Bay Area.
Rebel Diaz (Bronx, NY) – 1-800 Genocide 2023
I came across Rebel Diaz originally from Chicago back in the late 2000’s. They have always spoken on social justice, politics, and revolutionary ideals and organized with real people on the ground. Mad love for them.
The Neighborhood Kids (San Diego, CA) – Biddi Bomb 2025
Belly (Ottawa, Canada) – Patience vs Patients 2024
I came to Belly very late. He’s been putting out music for a long time and the first time I heard him was through Nipsey Hussle. He’s Palestinian Canadian and his flow and critique is sharp. Listen.
MC Abdul (Palestine) – Shouting at the wall 2021
MC Abdul is one of the first emcee’s from Palestine that I heard spit in English in the literal thick of the genocide and he’s been putting out music for awhile even though he’s young!
Invincible (Israel/ Detroit) – The Emperor’s Clothes 2009
I came across Invincible through the battle rap scene and thought they were ILL which is wild because thats the name they go by. They are Jewish and spit this rhyme 16 years ago!!!!!! I discovered this song from the film “Road to Apartheid” which compares Israeli occupation to South African apartheid.
Macklemore (Seattle, WA) – Hinds Hall 2024
This song blew up last year and went viral on social media. I was aware of Macklemore because he was an underground cat from Seattle, then I heard some of his more popular radio cuts. Did not see this coming from him last year but it is an extremely powerful statement.
If you’ve heard some hip hop about or from Sudan or Congo, drop it in the comments! We need to hear about what is happening in Africa!
Eddy Mack ft Batata (Detroit, MI) – Sound of War 2023
I heard Eddy Mack (Jordanian American emcee) in 2023 like most folks because of this viral song that was a very militant stance against the attacks against Palestinian people.
Ana Tijoux (Chile/France) Feat Shadia Mansour (UK) – Somos Sur 2014
I came across Ana Tijoux in the early 2010s as part of hip hop royalty Makiza of Chile. I then met her around the same time when she dropped 1977. She is razor sharp lyrically and has a level of knowledge, critique, and creativity in global politics and hip hop that is unmatched. She’s also a really cool ass person.
Lowkey feat Frankie Boyle, Maverick Sabre, and Mai Kahlil (London, UK) – Long Live Palestine 2019
My bro Pele Durian Funk made an ILL mix of hip hop artists who’ve all made songs in support of a free Palestine back in October of 2023. On that mixtape he included a bunch of cats and Lowkey was one of them. I’d never heard of him but I soon discovered a super talented emcee and journalist who fights fiercely for the people of Palestine and working class people in Britain.
DJ Pele Durian Funk ( Bay Area) – Solidarity Forever 2023
My bro Pele (Trust Your Struggle Collective) made this mixtape of hip hop featuring pro Palestinian artists such as Native Guns, 47 Soul, and even Yo Yo Ma. Check it out.
DIG THE MUSIC? THERE’S MORE!
Ok thats it fam, if you dug this share it with a friend, comment with some musical suggestions, and if you want to support Palestinian or anti zionist organizing in the US check out:
Why Palestine? There’s been an occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinian people there by Israeli government with the direct support of the US Govt and many others in the globe. Like India and Pakistan, the “middle east” or the countries of Africa being cut up by greedy people who see dollar signs its people deserve freedom, self determination, and it is a prime example of how the billionaire class is playing us all when they say they do not have enough for universal health care, affordable housing, free education, etc. We’re all being tricked and Palestine/Israel is a HUGE part of it. This goes for Congo, Sudan, and many other countries across the planet. The people (you and I) must expose the lies and get freedom for us and them together.
Monica is the homie and as someone who got to work with her she’s a bad-ass artist and organizer. Peep this video which introduces how to make art for social change! Very good info for beginners or experienced artists.
Dig this? Check out my crew “Trust Your Struggle Collective”
Ey, Bodies Are Cool is a really great book and its a hit in my household. Check out this video where I explain. I love this book because it flows, it’s short and to the point. And it really does emphasize an understanding and curiosity to see all types of people and bodies.
Synopsis: This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.
From the acclaimed creator of Dancing at the Pity Party and Roaring Softly, this picture book is a pure celebration of all the different human bodies that exist in the world. Highlighting the various skin tones, body shapes, and hair types is just the beginning in this truly inclusive book. With its joyful illustrations and encouraging refrain, it will instill body acceptance and confidence in the youngest of readers. “My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL!”
What’s this? Whew, I’ve read over 600 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 my other picture book recommendations:
Fam, Its been over a year since I did one of these. If you follow me you know that I am a huge advocate for literacy. Reading kids books, comics, annnnd ART BOOKS. Art books about gaming, film, comics, illustration, sneakers, you name it. Anything you can find to get young people reading for fun! So with high school, middle school, and older elementary students if they’re not enjoying reading, find something that they LOVE and find books about it.
You can see the other videos I did featuring lots of different books. Check them out and share!
Dig this? Check out these shorts I started making about my favorite picture books like Turntable Timmy!
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!
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
