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.
This is a book I illustrated several years ago and this is a read aloud of the story “Alejandria Fights Back” in English. Enjoy. Please request this book at your local library or independent bookstore.
Check this out. Last year I was inviteed by my publisher Lee & Low Books to participate in an event called the California Association of Black School Educators conference, otherwise known as CABSE. These educators were from Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, so many cities. I pulled up at a nice hotel in Napa (North of Oakland) to meet Veronica Labarca who is the head of educational sales over at Lee & low. Above is a photo of us and , lord forgive me I dont remember the sisters name but she was super sweet.
There were various workshops for the adults who work with kids and here are some photos from the main room where the founder and other educators spoke.
Here are some photos os Veronica setting up the Lee & Low Table. And when I tell you thy’ve got a lot of multicultural books, they do. They probably have the most out of any publisher because they’ve been doing it for so long. It was a honor for my book to be included among some of the books I remember seeing when I first began in the biz and some of the new ones.
This is when me and Veronica did a presentation for the audience. She spoke about the power of multicultural books to not only advance the literacy levels of children of color but to reach kids of all stripes with stories many publishers wont put out. I got to talk about Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco and a bit about why I started working in kid lit.
This is special right here. This brother and several others came up and got a book after the presentation and thats always cool to meet new people interested in the stories. I’m a part of it, but its really about the story. Anyways, check out what the CABSE are doing! For folks who work in education, if you have a conference you feel I would fit in with, hit me up. Info@robdontstop.com.
Folks, the time has come for the 8th annual Social Justice Children’s Book Fair! We have been working and planning on this one for a whole year! Peep this video.
📣 Some of y’all still might not know this but I’m one of many organizers of this little but powerful book fair for kids. We rep Bipoc, Queer, Social Justice Minded, traditionally published and self published creators trying get their work to kids. We started this in 2017 right after the first Trump Election. All volunteers, all gas for 8 yrs now. This year we finally got some funding via The Akonadi Foundation and fiscal sponsorship from The Social Good Fund w/the help of “Jill Kunishima”.
We’ve hosted hella authors, illustrators, publishers, organizations, and community. People in red states, shit even counties just outside of the town hate on it, but if you’re feeling some type of way-don’t forget the power of a small dedicated group of homies. Take a break, but keep going. Stay principled and curious. #socialjusticechildrensbookholidayfair
Yoooo! I can finally share it. Here is the cover for my newest picture book “FRESH JUICE” which debuts on July 25th through “Lee and Low Books”. You can preorder it today in English or Spanish. https://www.leeandlow.com/books/fresh-juiceJuuuuuuiicccced!!!
This is a father and son story about fruits, veggies, ginger, health, and community. Please share!
From “Lee and Low Books”: Today we’re celebrating the gorgeous cover for our upcoming picture book, Fresh Juice by Robert Liu-Trujillo—available in English and Spanish (as Jugo Fresco) on 7.25.23! Both editions are available for pre-order now (bit.ly/3RMiy6A).
About Fresh Juice:
What makes a great juice that keeps everyone healthy? Art and his dad discover it takes carrots…collards…cayenne…and community!
When Art’s father can’t get over a cold, Art knows exactly what his daddy needs: some delicious sick-fighting juice! After looking through the fridge and cupboards, they discover they’re missing a key ingredient–ginger. But finding some ginger will take them downtown, to the farmers’ market, to the food co-op, to the West African grocery … to an unexpected encounter that brings everyone together, and results in a tasty celebration.
Author-illustrator Rob Liu-Trujillo’s warm and vibrant watercolor illustrations are a celebration of mixed families and the many individuals who help make a neighborhood feel like a community. Fresh Juice is a delightful, kid- and community-centered picture book that will leave you thirsty for more!
This is some video footage featuring interviews from book creators, organizations, the organizers of the event, and the owner of Teance. Can we give it up for Peter Limata and Lydia Yamaguchi though? They just bring SO MUCH vibrancy, love, and care to what they capture and who they spoke to at the event! Please watch and enjoy. If you did not get a chance to attend the fair in person you can still get books from the creators who were there and many others using our website
Here is more interviews Peter did leading up to the fair that morning. In this he speaks to Jill Guerra (We are Yoga/Somos Yoga), Christina Newhard of Sari Sari Books (KaliPay, Melo the Umang Boy), Breanna McDaniels (Hands Up), and John Casselberry (Konscious Kids).
This past week I read at the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore in Richmond California. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. This store has the most diverse selection of picture books in the Bay Area. There are many other stores that do a great job as well.
Photo by Daniel Zarazua
They currently carry “Furqan’s First Flat Top” and “Alejandria Fights Back”. Please stop by their store though if youre in the North Bay as a destination for gifts, a place that can order books for you, or as a wealth of knowledge. The owner’s name is Tamara Shiloh.
Photo by Brianna Casanares
One more of me rocking my Bridges Not Walls shirt by Kiwi :). I’ve been reading in classrooms and libraries for a decade now as a kids book author and illustrator!
Here’s a new print for all the lovers of banned books! I wanna shout out all the queer authors and illustrators. All the Black folks and people of color who’ve had the books banned for no more than telling their story. Oh and shout out to all those teachers bringing ethnic studies and critical race theory into their classrooms so students can actually learn how we got here as a country and as a world. Yes, please read banned books and when you do make up your own mind if its useful information or not.
Hey, please check out this kickstarter to help publisher Penny Candy Books reprint this wonderful book written by Afro Latinx poet Tony Medina from NYC and illustrated by 13 Black illustrators from all over the country including yours truly.
If this campaign is successful this book will go into its 5th printing. That means hella people have loved it and purchased it. But, there are plenty of kids who have never seen it. Check out the video, campaign, and throw down if you got a few bucks. Kickstarter LINK
