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reading Tag

Reading at Casa Apoyo SF

Yo, I want to give a huge shout out to my sis Nancy from Latino Task Force in San Francisco, Jen Woo from SF Public Library, Patty from the YMCA, and all the librarians, volunteers, educators who came to this reading and presentation. Normally I’m in a classroom or library but it was dope to be here. Casa Apoyo or “Support House” is a hub for community resources in San Francisco’s Excelsior district where local familes can come get a bike, groceries, clothing, legal services, housing resources, and more.

Some fotos from inside the organizational hub!

As you can see in the above photos the spot is a hub, elders, women, and youth were coming in and out to get food and serve it. A was a perfect place to talk about my latest book because the theme is community.

I did a reading and presentation in English and Spanish. We talked about

  • Bilingual picture book reading
  • The importance of reading, writing, and literacy
  • Animation, gaming, engineering, art making, illustration
  • Art education through school, friends, sketchbooks, and self guided practice
  • The power of community, healthy foods, and more
  • We also talked about team work, editors, art directors, and collaboration
Via SF Days

Hopped on Bart from Fruitvale station in Oakland to Balboa next to Balboa HS and walked to Mission st where the org was.

Latino Task Force, SFPL, and several volunteers

During the reading Latino Task Force, SF Public Library, and several volunteers got the ingredients from the juice in the book ” Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” , and juicers ready for the young people to not only taste, but to make themselves by putting the ingredients into the juicer and then they provided each kid a take home bag w/ more of the sme ingredients so they could share it with their family. These lovely folks also gave away English and Spanish copies of the book to each kid or adult who came.

Wanna invite me to speak or read to you students in elementary, high school, or college? Email me at info@robdontstop.com

I also brought my sketchbook, original drawings, and paintings and I passed them around while adults and children asked questions. It was amazing y’all and at that point it was beyond me as an individual and more about the concept of the story and the idea of interacting w/ a working artist/writer. Hasta la Proxima.

Dig this? Check out the time I got to speak to college students and educators at Modesto Jr College, or my last visit to El Cerrito Public Library

October 11, 2024
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Storytime Print 5

Storytime Print 5 – Eyy its been about 6 or 7 years since I started making these “storytime prints” first for fun, then more and more because those who love and learn with children asked for more. This is a portrait of me and my daughter so its special:) I hope it means something to you wherever you are and wherever your reading nook is. Be it in the classroom, an office, a library, or your home.

GET A PRINT!

Dig this? Check out the one I did of my wife and my daughter when she was younger.

September 13, 2024
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Butterfly in the Sky (Reading Rainbow) – Trailer

This is a really inspiring documentary about “READING RAINBOW” featuring the creators of the incredible show that touched so many of us as youngins. PLEASE watch it, rent it, go see it in theaters, share it. It’s all about spreading the love of reading and learning. #readingrainbow #Documentary #ButterflyInTheSky

Dig this? Check out my last art print “I’m a Reader”

March 26, 2024
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New Print! – I’m a Reader

I started working on this one several months ago and just finally added the type to it today. You can go to my shop to purchase a print HERE.

Storytime: I was recently at the library with my daughter when I young boy came up to say hello and ask If I illustrated kids books. I told him I did and spoke to him about a fellow artist he should check out as I didn’t have any materials on me to show him. One of the librarians told me he was bored and I went to get him a copy of Jerry Craft’s graphic novel “New Kid” which is excellent. He smiled. But later he came back to me and my daughter and gave the book back (even after the same librarian also recommended it). I asked if he didn’t like this type of book? If he’d be interested in another? 

"Nah, I just don't like reading." he responded.

To which, I said "Graphic novels, or books in general?"

"In general" he responded.

And yall, my heart sank a little bit because I was this kid. I was him. I hated reading. I prefereed listening to hip hop, playing outside, or watching tv. All good things, but I just feel that we gotta help our children develop a level of literacy that is strong and passionate. Doesn’t mean they need to be come writers, but I do want them to read. Sigh. I didn’t have the time to sit with him because my 5 year old was pulling my attention. But I wondered. Could he read and just really didn’t fuck with it? Did he not know how and as a result decided it wasn’t for him? Or was there literally nothing in that library full of books that interested him specifically?

Anyways, it showed me there’s still a lot of work to be done…..

Dig this? Check out the last READ print in a series. This one of a welder/maker.

January 25, 2024
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READ Print 7 – Welder Girl

NEW Print! You can purchase a print HERE

Just finished painting this. Normally I can knock these out in a day, but my little one started school this week with minimum days so it got done in increments. This is the 7th print like this I’ve done. It’s a series with the word “READ” on them. The first 4 each had a different young person on them holding a book (2020). This new set of four features young people in the places of joy, passion, or dreaming.

This one: An illustration of a young girl with some welding equipment. I’ve always liked the re-emergence of a DIY, maker movement who not only repaired or customized things, but also built new things. I imagine this young lady to be a welder who works on “Go Karts”. Hence the track behind her. Feeling it? I am! I also know there are books out there for kids about welding, wood work, 3d printing, and making stuff. Not sure if my idea comes across but I like it.

Again, you can purchase a print HERE

Dig this? Check out the first set of four READ prints

August 11, 2023
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Tacoma African American Read In – Pierce County Library

 Yo, this coming Black History Month I will be speaking at the “African American Read In” for the Pierce County public library in Tacoma Washington. You can join virtually from anywhere in the world. I will be speaking with two Washington based authors and the owners of the shop “Parable Tacoma”. I met some of the librarians organizing this event at the Seattle Urban Book Expo and I’m juiced to be a part of this.
Register for the event HERE
Dig this? Check out this talk I gave for the SOL Collective about developing a love of reading

 

January 26, 2023
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“Alvin Irby” Interview w/ Lurie Daniel Favors Show

I remember hearing about Alvin Irby many years ago and loving his mission for Barbershop Books because he’s passionate about reading and you could tell he cares. In this episode of Lurie Daniels Favors radio show she interviews him about how he started, what drove him, and what advice he has for making readers out of your kids. 

Link to LISTEN
If you haven’t already check out Barbershop Books!!
Dig this? Check out these lists of Bipoc owned bookstores Black owned, Latinx owned, and Asian American owned.
December 14, 2022
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Life is Living – Reading at 12:30pm

 

Yo, it’s that time. The annual “Life is Living Festival” is upon us once again next week in Lil Bobby Hutton Park (DeFremery Park) in West Oakland. It’s been back in person in all it’s glory, so come through with that good vibe.

About the fest: The 2022 Life is Living Festival, presented by Youth Speaks is Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Lil Bobby Hutton Park in West Oakland (1651 Adeline St., West Oakland). Join us for activations from The Peoples Kitchen Collective, Town Park, Oakhella, ArtEsteem, the City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission, Dark Star Universe, BAOBOB, Edutainment for Equity, Emily Butterfly’s Kid’s Zone and more of your favorite local CBOs.

This multi-generational, multi-disciplinary festival celebrates and highlights everything that is beautiful about Oakland – the joy, diversity, adversity, and revolutionary spirit that vibrates through the streets of the city. Join us as we continue the legacy and tradition of celebrating The Town.


As with so many years, Emily Butterfly is welcoming children in the kids zone. I will be there reading at 12:30 alongside other authors and performers. For 14 years, the LIL Kids Zone has been creating a safe and nurturing space for young children and their families at the Life Is Living Festival. Produced and hosted byMs. Emily Butterfly (@ms.emilybutterfly) the Kids Zone welcomes the Jr. Art And Science Center, The Attitudinal Healing Collective, Social Justice Story Tent, Face Painting, Games, Snacks, and Story Tent.

This is the schedule for the Kids Zone:

10:30AM Kendo Martial Arts
11:00AM YGB
11:30AM Jill Guerra
12:00PM Alphabet Rockers
12:30PM Robert Trujillo
1:00PM Iwalani
1:30PM West Oakland Library
2:00PM Emily Butterfly
2:30PM Mr. Limata
3:00PM Iwalani

I will also be participating as a visual artist w/ a piece in Brett Cook’s Gardeners of Belonging. It’s a big painting and I’m honoring the. “People’s Kitchen Collective”. Among some of the other artists painting- Erin Yoshi, Evan Bissell, DJ Agana, Nick James, and Johanna Poethig.

For more information please visit LIFE IS LIVING

Dig this? Check out this video of Life is Living 2016
October 2, 2022
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