Hey fam, this is my video explainer/pitch about the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair, what it does, and why its existence is so important right now. We’re in a $5k fundraising drive to match a $5k grant that was given to us. Since 2017 we’ve brought the funk here in the Bay Area re: Bipoc, Queer, Immigrant, and Social Justice minded kid lit creators. We have been volunteer based until last year and we’re trying to make our work more sustainable.
I’m one of several founders, and organizers of an annual book festival called the “Social Justice Children’s Book Fair”that takes place annually in the Bay Area since 2017. We highlight Bipoc, Queer, Immigrant, and Social Justice minded kid lit creators and we invite in literacy organizations.
Beyond the shit show of a presidency, there’s an intensifying attack on books from book banning, firing librarians or educators, burning books, death threats, to defunding entire libraries. Why? The bans are not new, but it’s gotten worse over the last 5 years. The types of books they go after are the kinds of folks me, librarians, parents, teachers, and my fellow organizers champion.
And that shit makes my blood boil. It’s not just a passion for me, this shit is personal. I hated reading growing up. There were few to zero mirrors in books back then for me. I know too well what happens when Bipoc/Queer stories are erased from shelves. It sends a message that says “You, your culture, your story, your life is unimportant. And I’m not having that shit.
As we approach our 9th year, we as an organization have big plans to expand our work. Already this year we were selected to partner with the Bay Area Book Festival to build out theirFamily Dayprogramming (come join us in Berkeley on May 31).
That’s just the beginning. We hope to launch an Award highlighting the best of indy social justice children’s books. We want to mentor aspiring creators, and so much more. The challenges are massive and to face them, we’re going to need back up.
With Over eight years of volunteering we’ve have laid a solid foundation. Now it is time for growth.
Peep. A dope creator offered to give us a $5k grant and we’re trying to match it in 30 days. If you’re on Facebook or Instagram, help us amplify the word. If you know folks who love kid lit, books, social justice, or children’s books that feature voices who’ve been ignored for too long. Share this with them and
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.
Hey fam, hope you are well despite the many struggles that come w/ surviving in capitalism. I made this graphic because while I have been visiting schools, libraries, and organizations for over 13 years there still a lot of Northern California cities where I’m from that I have not visited. Some of these I’ve never visited as an author/illustrator and some of them not nearly enough. I get lots of visits from my hometown of Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, etc. but I would like to venture beyond my area more in 2025 and the coming years.
Note: When I speak to children I am respectful and kind, but I am very honest about things like systems of oppression, war, genocide, sexism, racism, etc. I do however try to tailor my words to be appropriate to the age I’m speaking to.
Would you like to invite me to talk to your students or families? Do you know a teacher, librarian, or organizer in one of these cities who would invite me to speak to their students? What can I offer?
TK-3rd grade– Picture book readings
3rd-8th grade– Art book + literacy (Illustration, gaming, fashion, animation, makers)
High School/College– A career in the arts presentation (murals, illustration, kids books)
How do you get in contact with me? Use the contact form on my website, dm me, or email me at info@robdontstop.com
Dig this?Here are some past school visits to check out:
“Moose” amazed everyone who met him; in the alter world and in ours. We thought he’d want to be a god on earth, stop wars, reduce the Richie riches to humble, or throw a rock the size of a house at the sun. But his life force was drained and he got weaker with each passing sunrise. So, we did what any good friends would do, we packed up his things and floated him right out of the Bay. This way, we could find the portal, send him back. He’d be back to tagging his name soon enough, we hoped”.
What is this? Short stories are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, to practice, and to stretch out by trying new ideas for stories. In 2010 they started off as a way to practice the format of picture books but I’m interested in middle grade and comics now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice published by Lee & Low Books.
Link to interview with Be a and Harvey of EastWind Books. Last Spring I got the chance to speak and table at an event in Berkeley California supporting a new model curriculum about Ethnic Studies; one of my favorite things to talk about. And while I was there I got a chance to speak to Bea and Harvey. They were both so kind and actually carried one of my books! I regret not going to EastWind more when the physical location was open, but as you’ll hear in this episode they are still publishing and selling books. Their advocacy and work is so freaking important so please check out their work here.
Really enjoyed this episode of “Asian American History 101” which I found through an awesome interview w/ my good friend and fellow kid lit creator Nidhi Chanani. This seems like a really cool podcast to follow and listen to for historic and current perspectives on AAPI in the US! Love the fact that is a father daughter duo too:)
Dig this? Check out this Inspiration Board I made featuring books, art, film, and more.
Hey fam, if you’re in the South Bay this weekend come see me at the SJ Made Fest! I’ll be there alongside 250 vendors and there will be 50 food trucks, K-Pop performances, and a kitten lounge. Come through with your entire family, its free. MORE INFO HERE.
Here are some photos the SJ Made team took of me in my home studio:)
Dig this? Check out a photo of me selling at the Craneway Craft Fair in 2023
Man, I was so busy sharing about this event and planning and prepping that I forgot to psot about it on my own damn blog. Anyways, for those who came it was beautiful and hectic. For the first time we partnered with Emerson Elementary in Oakland.
Here is the livestream of interviews and performances from that day:
Interviews w/ Emerson PTA, Local authors, activists, and musicians
Here is the Facebook invite from this year
And here is the books new Instagram account. Please follow us!
I’m sure most of you who love R&B and allow new artists into their heart have already heard of H.E.R. But if you’re new to her let me give a brief introduction. H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) first came on my radar on Daniel Ceasar’s song “Best Part”. One of the coolest things about her style is that she is not trying to do what everyone else was doing when she reemerged in the industry. Her music is something a soul lover of any age can feel. Gabby Wilson is a youngster from Vallejo California, home to greats such as Confunkshun, Mac Dre, and E40. She’s a Blasian kid (Pinay + Black) and from an early age her family had her in the mix of music making and enjoyment. She plays the drums, bass, and piano. I think she’s best known for her guitar licks and vocals. In a world of manufactured checklists of artists thus singer songwriter is a breath of fresh air and she’s just getting started. With them shades she invokes MF Doom and Daft Punk with a focus less about how she looks and more about what you hear. Please follow her, support her music, and check out her most recent effort to inspire “Girls with Guitar’s”.
Sources: Revolt, LA Times, Sway in The Morning Fav song: Carried Away
Did you catch the last one? Kiwi
Check out one i did of Equipto
