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Bay Area Book Fest- Panels

Yo, this weekend at the Bay Area Book Festival I will be on two panel discussions and representing for the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair who helped to plan the “Family Day” this year. This event has been happening for 10 years! I’ve been a vendor there, a panelist, and attendee. There’s a book market place, a family day curating the best in kid lit, panel discussions, workshops, your favorite authors, and there are a bunch of activities.

Wanna go? check out the organization and the schedule here. Wanna see the panels I’ll be on? Scroll down.

This one is about the themes of activism in stories and the activism happening in real life around stories, book bans, diverse books, history, and more. Here’s more info about this panel.

Here’s the second panel I’ll be on with Zetta Elliott, Matthew Smith, Maya Gonzalez, and Laura Atkins. We’ll be talking about alternative methods to the traditional publishing worlds. More info about this panel here.

Dig this? Check out some press from the Social Justice Children’s Book Fair.

May 29, 2025
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Fairyland Children’s Book Fest- Sept 21st

Eyy, this Fall I will be at Fairyland again for their annual “Children’s Book Festival” featuring over 30 kidlit creators.

What is this? It’s a kid-lit event that brings Bay Area children’s literature authors and illustrators together with families for a full day of read-alouds and more. My book “Fresh Juice” will be available to buy from “Books on B” and I’d be happy to autograph it for you or your child! Tickets are available now: fairyland.org/book-festival

Check out the line up of who will be there! And come get your book signed:)

Dig this? Check out some of the press the “Social Justice Children’s Book Holiday Fair” got last year.

August 13, 2024
in Events, General
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Inspiration board 45

I’m still not out of a funk of creativity and a dirth of inspiration but we keep going right? Here are some things I can share with you that caught my eye, ear, or heart. Some I’m sure you already know. Some I’d be happy to introduce you to.

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

  1. Devon Blow (Art)– Dev has been pumping out some critical and necessary art about genocide, war, social justice issues, and finding joy. Follow her here.
  2. Self (Film) – This is an incredible stop motion/ cg animated short film by Searit Huluf about self love
  3. Alexandra Gater (Interior design)– This is an interior decorator w/ a niche of helping those in small apartments make better use of their space with style.
  4. Calida Rawles (Art)– Found Calida through Amy Sherald. Shes an incredible photorealistic painter who depicts Black folks relationships to water
  5. BUSD (Community)- I attended several Berkeley School Board meetings re: Palestine, teachers who’ve been fired, trans and queer student rights, and ethnic studies
  6. Story Sun Birds (Kid Lit/ activism)- This is a group of folks who work in kid lit who stood for a ceasfire in Palestine and who now are carving a path for an alternative kid lit space
  7. Fights (Graphic Novel)– This is a great book by Joel Christian Gill who is a cartoonist and professor based in Virginia
  8. Farah Audhali (Music) – Farah is a talented singer songwriter from the uk and i love this collab with Blue Lab Beats!
  9. Butterly in the Sky (Film) – This is a great doc about the history of Reading Rainbow featuring interviews from the entire team behind it.
  10. Belly (Music) – 96 Miles from Bethelhem is a dope EP by MC/Singer Belly in response to the genocide in Palestine
  11. Vittoria Macioci (Art) – Love the illustrations of this Italian illustrator and comics artist
  12. Microcosm (Podcast) – Been knowing about Microcosm for years but just started listening to their podcast about indy publishing and it is great!
  13. James Shields (Art)-James’ watermelon couch is an incredible work of sociology, US history, narrative, and immersive art.
  14. Ruha Benjamin (Speech)– I know of Ruha’s name but this speech she gave at an HBCU grad ceremony caught fire because it is so true!
  15. Mackelmore (Music)– Man, was not expecting this bombshell of a song from Macklemore titled Hinds Hall, but I was so happy to hear his stance!
  16. ABC’s of Lowriding (Book) – This kids book by Ricardo Cortez is a testament to lowriding culture and helps introduce it to a new generation

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more

Inspiration board 44

Inspiration board 43

What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments. Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.

July 25, 2024
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Inspiration Board 44

Hey fam, I hope you’re well. Whew with life this past year and moving, war, family health, inspiration has gone down the tube. I mean, I still read, listen, watch, feel, and experience but I have felt exhausted and uninspired to keep it real. I still create because I’ve been doing this for a long ass time, but sometimes it needs to be said that you don’t feel it. Anyway, for the past 6 months or so these are some things that fed or made me feeeeeeel.

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

  1. The Purpose of Power – book by Alicia Garza. Reallly great read and reminder that the fight is long ahead (Organizing/Activism)

2. Texas Book Festival – 1st time visiting this historic book fest in Austin,TX. Shout out to Lee & Low, Reading Rockets, and the Fest (event)

3. The Spirit of the Palestinian People! – With over 75 years of colonialization they still stand and it is both painful and inspiring to have to witness time and time again. Thank you to the everyday people and the Palestinian organizers! (Resistance)

4. Dr. Marc Lamont Hill– Marc has been doing a lot of work to question society from multiple viewpoints and I’m thankful (Journalism)

5. Bisan Wizard– I’m in awe of this young journalist who has been sharing news in Arabic and English, risking her life to show us what US, European, and Israeli wont; what is happening is genocide (Journalist)

6. Jewish Voice for Peace– BIG shout out to my Jewish fam in the US acting up and showing out to show solidarity and prove that questioning Zionism does NOT equal antisemitism. They have lifted the veil for many Jews, Christians, Muslims, and atheists alike. (activists)

7. Olivia Dean – Love this singer songwriters music. Check her out! (music)

8. LaRussell and Tietta – This duo’s work to put their name, art, and biz savvy has been inspiring to watch. From Vallejo Ca (Business/Art)

9. Maurice Carney – I loved learning about what is happening in the Congo from Maurice of “Friends of the Congo” (Activism)

10. Frizzy – Graphic novel about hair, self acceptance and mentorship (Graphic Novel)

11. Sara Trellez– There’s something life giving and undescribable about this dance routine Sara gives. I could see and recognize the years of work, talent, research, and history she put into this (Dance)

12. Lowkey – This MC from the UK came to me through my boy Pele. I’m so happy I found Lowkey because his skills and wit inspired me. So smart and so relentless! (Hip Hop)

13.  Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? – Shout out to Angela Dalton who showed me this book. Contrary to what adults may think, these are exactly the kinds of questions I think kids can and should grapple with. Policing has got to go (Kid Lit)

14. Motaz Azaiza– Brother Motaz is an incredibly talented and brave photographer who once again is showing us in English and Arabic what the regime of Israel is doing to the people of Palestine. Genocide. (Photography)

15. Amanda Seales– I’ve watched Amanda go through being an MC, a singer, a poet, actor, and now social media activist who has challenged and critiqued not only Israel but many other things. And she’s not just talking, listen-you’ll see in addition to living shes also studied! (Social Media)

16. Artie and the Wolk Moon– Great GN about a young Black girl who learns she is part werewolf!! Perfect for older elementary students and middle grade readers (Graphic Novel)

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more

Inspiration board 43

Inspiration board 42

What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments. Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.

January 3, 2024
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College lecture – Modesto Jr College

 

Sup with it fam! On March 29th of this year I will be doing a presentation for college students and faculty at Modesto Jr College! I’m going to be talking about my career, art, kids books, publishing, and literacy! I’ve visited Modesto and the jr college three times in the past. First for the Latino Comics Expo founded by Ricardo Padilla and Javier Hernandez-the first ever comics con dedicated to Latino Comics writers and illustrators. Second, I visited the main branch of the Modesto Public Library to read to families, children, and caregivers for their story time. Third, I visited for the “Latinx Comics and Arts Fest” founded by Dr. Theresa Rojas , a professor from MJC. 
All of these were really great events or experiences filled with families, community, incredible creators, art, and lots of books and comics. If you’re a student at the college or know someone who is please invite them to attend. 
If you’re looking for something to do with the entire family, check out the Latinx Comics and Arts Fest happening on March 17-18th.
Dig this? Check out this interview I did with my bro Farbeon on Feel Good Radio. Also, this is a recent school visit for Prospect Sierra in Berkeley California.

March 6, 2023
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Storytime Friends

 

Hey yall, I’m happy to be a part of a new crew called STORYTIME FRIENDS w/ Peter Limata, Angela Dalton, Michael Genhart, Meera Sriram, and Alex Giardino, a community-centered project that brings the joy of picture books to children’s hospitals. STORYTIME FRIENDS features a video-recorded read-aloud series, related art activities, and book give-aways. For its inaugural year, the project has partnered with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and more than forty authors and illustrators. The series host Mr. Peter Limata kicks everything off on November 4 with a video read-aloud of Dr. Rachel Remen’s The Birthday of the World, which will be aired at the hospital for the children. My book “Alejandria Fights Back” will be featured later in the series along with 40 author/illustrators across the Bay Area!! 

More info at storytimefriendsread.com OR you can follow their IG at @storytimefriendsseries

Stay tuned for more info!

November 4, 2022
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Inspiration board 41

Ok, here’s some recently inspiring stuff. Left to right, top to bottom. I make this as much to share with you as I make as a reminder to myself:
1. The illustration of Maike Plenzke
2. Taking Children by Laura Briggs-non fiction book
3. Esperanza Spalding- Songrights Apothecary and her recent albums
4. Jerome Masi – Artist/Illustrator
5. Brown Ambition Podcast-Financial literacy
6. The Cot in the Living Room– Picture bk about community/mutual aid
7. Light & Magic- ILM documentary series (special FX)
8. Art of Ami Thompson
9.Wendell & Wild-upcoming stop motion film (Peele/ Selick)
10. Art of Derek Laufman
11. New Kid- Graphic novel by Jerry Craft
12. Stuart NG Bookstore– specializes in “Art books”
13. Art of Leo Espinosa-illustration
15. Squid Game TV Series
16. Art of Chris Sickels/Red Nose Studios
Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments.

Who am I? My name is Rob and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube.
You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here
August 2, 2022
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Inspiration board 40

You ready to see something cool?! Here are some inspiring folks, things from top to bottom, and left to right:
1. “La Bestia“– Animated short film by Marlijn Van Nuenen, Ram Tamez, Alfredo Gerard Kuttikat
2. Take Back the Block by Chrystal D Giles abt housing
3. Bisa Butler-Incredible quilt artist
4. Claire Wendling– French illustrator
5. Moonchild’s new album “Starfruit”
6. SPO/ Slim Pickins Outfitters-Blk owned outdoor store
7. Jason Wilson of Cave of Adullam-martial arts/emotional support
8. Girls Garage– Org teaching young women/ gender expansive building
10. Zilo-Artist /Vocalist/songwriter
11. Gabby Zapata– Character designer/vis dev artist
12. Organizers against Oakland school closures-Inspiring!!!
13. Swan Song – Sci fi Film starring Mahershala Ali
14. Zeke Peña– Southwest illustrator
15. Dragons in a Bag– Zetta Elliott abt dragons and magic!
16. Columbian Illustrator/comics artist-Lorena Alvarez
 
Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 
What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments.
Who am I? My name is Rob and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube.
You can purchase my book “Art of Rob” here
March 1, 2022
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SF State Features Alejandria Fights Back & Leticia Hernandez-Linares

 

Here’s an article featuring my new book Alejandria Fights Back with some quotes from Leticia Hernandez-Linares. We both went to San Francisco State University and Leticia is a professor there now!! 
And if you missed my last post about this new picture book created with The Rise Home Stories Project please see the previous posts here

July 19, 2021
in General, Press & Interviews
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