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Short story 38 – Song’s Summer Packing List

Song was so excited for the summer trip! Last year they got to go to “Slide land” and this year it would be “Castle Ville” which had a huge hotel with a pool and water slide, and the amusement park. Oh they couldn’t wait to get on all the rides! But this trip was special because they’d get to try out their new suitcase. Here was a list of all the things Mama said they could bring. A Stuffy, tooth brush, favorite books, their ipad, a sketchbook, headphones, their sleep mask, and of course the new suitcase!!!

About this short story: I’m getting ready to go on a trip with my family and couldn’t help but think of how excited my youngest is to have their very own suitcase. The kid in this image is a bit older, maybe 9 but inspired by my child.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Check out some of my past short stories worth checking out:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

May 31, 2026
in General, Ilustration
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Short story 37 – Trading comics

Xóchi had a tough day. It was the weekend of the super show but she couldn’t do all the fun stuff she normally did like eat cotton candy, have a cyber fighter battle with her cousins on their Nintendo switches, or eat extra spicy nachos during the hopping contest. Her job today was to study, polish tio Ramon’s car and make sure nobody went to the wrong space from the club. Luckily Star and Miguel brought comics, with the newest Alien Quinceñera she still got to have some fun.

Context: I love reading but I didn’t always love it. Rather than illustrate that pain, I wanted to paint a picture of a candid moment of three ordinary kids sitting together reading comics for fun on a lowrider at a show. During the summer of 2025 me and my family went to our first lowrider show together as a family.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Check out some of my past short stories worth checking out:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

February 5, 2026
in General, Ilustration
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Short Story 36 – A lotta Summer

“This was a summer of alotta stuff. Mama Johnna and Mama Elise got sandwiches, water, masks, and our best walking shoes as we marched from High street and Mac all the way to Frank Ogawa Plaza. To protest again? Ugggh, I’m tired of going. But Mama said it was to protest police taking away our neighbors, our friends, and our family. It seemed like everybody from school was there, Mrs Galeano our librarian, uncle George, even Mr Jason my teacher. The whole city was out and it felt good to shout and smile. Together.”

Me and my family protested ICE this summer and we’ve protested for Palestine recently too. Just wanted to make a short showing a family out in the streets. Shout out to Gallt and Zacker for the nudge to make it.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Here’s some of my past short stories:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

Sketch!!!

August 8, 2025
in General, Ilustration
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Short story 35 – Spring Flowers

Nzingha didn’t like Richie when school started in September. In fact, they argued over pencils, erasers, foursquare, and school march slogans all winter. But, after he’d shared some of his lunch with her she gave him a slice of fruit, maybe two. Mr Newton asked them to call a truce so they did and. Nzingha started to pick Richie for her team when she was captain of the basketball team. He invited her to play soccer afterschool and in April they both decided to dress up like they’re grandparents for 70’s day and well….Richie made her smile on Friday. They’ve been best friends ever since.

This is a short story about two enemies turned best friends, the clothes they wear represent two historic youth lead activists groups. The Black Panther Party for Self Defense and The Brown Berets.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Here’s some of my past short stories:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

If you like the Panthers or the Berets check out some past illustrations of them Panther 2015 and Brown Berets 2018.

April 10, 2025
in General
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Short Story 34 – Monster on Market

Short story 34 – It sounded the way Big momma described the big earthquake of 06′. Loud and out of nowhere. One minute we’re out at the theater watching War of The Worlds, the next we’re running for our lives. Shrieks and wind seem to hit you at every turn. Me, Loretta, Doris, and Addie weree the first to catch the trolly car. Earl? Well, we thought he was on with us but he wasnt.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, 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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Here’s some of my past short stories:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

February 8, 2025
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Short Story 33 – Sunday Afternoon

Sunday Afternoon- For Amina’s family, music is medicine. Almost every Sunday , the phones and ipads were put away to do one thing: Music. The rules were: do your chores your homework, play, read, or relax but throw on your favorite music and just chill out. And so Betty listened to an album from vinyl club, Maya practiced scales , and mama just relaxed to her favorite that week.

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 other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Here’s some of my past short stories:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

November 20, 2024
in General, Ilustration
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Short story 32 – Giant writer

“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.

Here’s some of my past short stories:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

October 12, 2024
in General, Ilustration
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Short story 31 – Spooky ride

Text: “Patrice and Larry had been practicing and falling on the track all summer. The older more experienced kids dared them to try the jumps but they always bit it trying. Tonight though, on Halloween before anyone got home to divvy up their candy, Patrice finally did it. She went up the biggest jump on “Shell Track”, now the only thing left to do besides puting on her costume was to land safely.”

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.

As a kid I LOVED bmx bikes so much and would spend hours riding around my neighborhood. I wanted to make a cool image of a girl riding a bmx bike on the night of halloween. The idea is for her to accomplish some big jump that is terrifying and gratifying at the same time. Then I just put a spooky tree, a costume on the friend in the background, and the moon with clouds. 

Dig this? Check out my Collage of Characters 2022-2024 or my first 130 pg Art Book

October 8, 2024
in General, Ilustration
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Short story 30-Club house

Short story 30 – Nala wished she’d never told her friends about the insect serum. She wanted to go home, to the car show, the movies, anyplace but here. Their clubhouse was supposed to be a special. But the bees found them. Usually the antidote worked to calm them down and Stewey tried. But not today. Maybe, just maybe Rez and Xotchi could stop them with the golden sceptres.

What’s this? Peace everyone, I started making short stories over a decade ago as a way to study picture books specifically and storytelling more broadly. Theseshorts are a way for me to practice and to build one brick at a time.

Dig this? Check otu some of my previous short stories made with colored pencil such as Welcome and First Protest.

September 26, 2024
in General, Ilustration
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Short Story 29 – Welcome

“This has been a long trip with few familiar faces. But, there’s nothing like trekking a thousand miles and coming home to your family. Here I was thinking it would be a quiet Sunday all by myself since everyone was out of town; they said. And I had my key still. But when I walked in Grandpa and Grandma, my sisters, my cousin, and the kids were all there, I almost cried! Somebody up there has a sense of humor.”
 
Here’s my latest short story: Welcome
If you missed the previous short story called Flight check it out here. And if you dig this style, check out this collage of characters done in the same style.
August 20, 2021
in General, Ilustration
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