Libro Mobile - Video

 

Libro Mobile is one of very few Latinx owned bookstores I reached out to when "Furqan's First Flat Top" debuted and they graciously carried my book. As the only Latina owned bookstore in Orange County, they serve a crucial role in providing community and knowledge. Please watch the video, follow them on IG, and contribute to their campaign if you can

Campaign LINK

Dig this: Libro Mobile 2018,  The Latinx Comics Arts Festival in Modesto

Furqan's First -over 3k sold independently!!

Wow, I'm excited to announce that "Furqan's First Flat Top/ El Primer Corte de Mesita de Furqan" has officially sold out of its 2nd print run. That makes over 3000 books sold hand to hand, at events, or sent to folks all over the US and the world. 

Some day I'll do a video about what it took to do this independently without the help of a publisher or marketing team. At the time I decided to do it I was getting little to no love from the industry. I've since learned that this is partially what it means to be a beginning author/illustrator and that there is and was a huge problem with the diversity of kids books!

Here's the post I did about the book release at EastSide Arts Alliance w/ Kati Cepeda and Aya de Leon.  And the trailer for the book got over 5k views! Holy smokes.Never expected it to reach so many people but it has and folks are still learning about it today!

It all started with one or two books. Now I've worked on over 10 children's books as an illustrator and/or author with more on the way. Furqan is temporarily sold out but you can cop the latest book I illustrated for Jill Guerra "We Are Yoga/ Somos Yoga".

And if you missed my kickstarter you can cop my first book of art including 130 pages of sketch book art, character designs, tutorials, and more Art of Rob LINK.

Gift Box Feature 3 - Booklandia (Portugal)

 

BIG shout out to Maceo who is the founder and owner of "Booklandia" the first Gift/Subscription Box to give my book "Furqan's First Flat Top" a shot. When I first debuted as a kids book illustrator and author Maceo almost immediately started carrying my book, other books I'd worked on, name plates I'd made, etc and she even licensed work from me to make coloring sheets.

If you're not hip to her business it is one of the first bilingual and Spanish language subscription book boxes in the US (She now lives in Portugal). They carry books for children from newborns to middle grade kids. Not just that, she searches for books that reflect the diversity of Latinos (all colors). 

If you're new to this, I'm sharing some of the amazing small businesses that have featured my books, merchandise, or artwork in their subscription book boxes. Booklandia is not only a gift box, it's also a pop up bookstore that has filled a need in the kidlit world. Please go support the biz by purchasing books (physical or audio).

LINK: Booklandia Books

Dig this? Check out the last giftbox feature: Los Amigos Books (Chicago)

Gift Box Feature 2- Los Amigos Books (Chicago)

Continuing with this series shouting out some of the companies that have shown me love, here is another Gift/Book box that has featured some of my stuff in it. "Los Amigos Books" which is a family and Latina owned business based out of Chicago. They sell books and book subscriptions that specifically focuses on Spanish and bilingual children's books! They started as a pop up shop and they now have a booming online store and a brick and mortar storefront in Chicago. 

This an image from one of their subscription based book boxes featuring some of my book marks and stickers alongside some great books for ages 7-9. More info here

This is a shot of their Instagram which shows the grand opening of their shop in the Berwyn neighborhood of Chicago. Pull up on them if you're in the area. If not, get books for your kids, classroom, or friends online. Thank you to owner Laura for including my work in these beautiful boxes!

LINK: Los Amigos Books

If you're a gift/book box owner, or you have a store (online/brick and mortar) and would like to get some of my merch into your store give me a holler. Did you catch the post about the last book box that featured my merch? Here it is: Get The Bag 

New Book! "We are Yoga/ Somos Yoga"

 

Fam, my latest and greatest is here. A new bilingual picture bk written by Maestra/Yogi/Author Jill Guerra , designed by Innosanto Nagara , translated by Marianne Teleki , and illustrated by me 😎. 

What Actions can u take to support?
1. Spread the word. Word of mouth is how we get it to folks, so please spread the good word.
2. Please follow miss Jill on Instagram now @thelovecurriculum
3. Get a book by requesting it from your local independent bookstore. If u know Jill and are in the Bay Area u can get a copy from her.

Stay tuned for the store link for Jill's site but in the meantime you can see some of her work and other books here "The Love Curriculum"

Thx for your support as we slowly introduce this beauty to the babies, classrooms, libraries, Yoga studios, and offices round the world. It contains reflections, affirmations, and words about yoga poses and mindfulness in English and Spanish. It is for families, kids, teachers, and therapists! 

Check out this podcast interview w/Jill for "Teacher's Aligned"

And peep this artwork I made for Jill awhile back. Thats how long we've been working on this. 

Alejandria Fights Back read en Español

 

Hey fam, if you have seen the reading of Alejandria Fights Back in Español by the books translator Dr Carla España please watch it here. This book came out last summer and his been making the rounds via reviews and classrooms. If you know of any educators who would dig hearing or sharing a Spanish reading of the book please share this with them.

Want a reading in English? watch elementary school teacher Mr Limata read it here

Skip to the 11:45 min mark for the reading.

And if you haven't seen the trailer please check it out:

Video: Book trailer - Alejandria Fights back!

 

If you missed it this is the book trailer for Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria which came out last summer. This is a book published by Feminist Press in NYC and written by Leticia Hernandez-Linares and the Rise Home Stories Project; and illustrated by me. 

Please watch the trailer and check out the other projects from this team such as a video game, animated short, podcast, and more HERE

If you're an educator and you'd like to get a copy of the book there are limited free copies here.

Latinxs In Kid Lit Interview

 

Recently me and Leticia got on Latinxs in Kid Lit to interview each other and talk a bit about the making of this picture book. Its an audio piece so go to the blog and give it a listen! Shout out to Cindy from the blog for giving us a space to talk.

A few years back some of my work was featured on Latinxs in Kid Lit:

Pura Belpre illustration

Furqan's First bilingual picture book

Video: SFPL Reading

 

Hey fam, heres a video recording of myself and author Leticia Hernandez-Linares reading "Alejandria Fights Back!" 

If you want the teachers guide, coloring sheets, or resources about housing check out AlejandriaFightsBack.com

Alejandria Fights Back is OUT TODAY!

 

TODAY is the day fam, please check out my video introducing "Alejandria Fights Back" written by Leticia Hernandez & The Rise Home Stories Project, translated by Profesora Dr Carla España , and pub by Feminist Press in NYC.

This project "Alejandria Fights Back" was a collaborative one for the books. Got to work with filmmakers and organizers in the Bay Area, Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Georgia, and the publisher is in NYC. It has been a ride and there are some videos, posts, etc to come.

Its hella different doing a virtual book release y'all. So I appreciate any and all support. Shout out to Josh Healey who said "I think you should apply to this" He was right! Here's the synopsis:

Here is the book trailer:

Please watch and share it!

If you missed it, check out the features on Social Justice Books and Rethinking Schools.

Video! - Alejandria Fights Back & Highlights Fundation!

 

Had a chance to talk to Feminist Press, part of my team on the Alejandria Fights Back/La Lucha de Alejandria book, and members of the Highlights Foundation (remember the magazine?). You can preorder the book here. If you're a book blogger and want a review copy, hit me up. 

If you missed my previous post announcing the book, please check that out here.

Press for Alejandria Fights Back!

 

Fam, as some of you saw my new picture book Alejandria Fights Back is coming out this summer, and I wrote a little bit about it here. But check this out, Leticia (the author along w/ Rise Home Stories Project) got a write up in Mission Local newspaper! 

Read the article HERE.

And if you're interested you can preorder your copy here.

Also, if you're in SF this Sunday, bring your babies to come hear the book read by Leticia and Me!

Reading! - NHCC

 

Fam, I will be presenting at the 2021 @NHCCNM bilingual book festival this week on Thursday on April 15th, 2021. I'll be reading in Spanish and English so tune in w/ your bilingual learners. Check out the schedule and more here nhccbookfest.com

Bilingual Book deals

Yo, peace and blessings to you admist the chaos that is Amerikkka. I have just uploaded two new deals to my shop for those that are interested in sending someone a little love via bilingual books and such. The first one is a care package of books, bookmarks, and stickers. 

PURCHASE Here

The second deal is just the books. And if you search on here you can go through and find reviews for both Furqan's First Flat Top written and illustrated by me, and One of a Kind Like Me, written by Laurin Mayeno and illustrated by me. 

PURCHASE Here

Did you see the last pack of bilingual book marks for COMICS Readers?

Video - Furqan's First in English/ Spanish

Peace, this is for the folks who've been asking. Feel free to share this with your child, student, or relatives during this social distancing, distanced learning, pandemic times. Below is the Spanish reading of the book.

Tia Carla did a reading of the book in Spanish already so I figured I'd share that for families to watch as its done quite well! Please check out her other videos of books in English and Spanish.

Libro Mobile - Santa Ana

Check out this campaign to assist in the creation and sustainability of a Latinx owned Bookstore in Santa Ana California that specializes in bilingual books, books in spanish, and books about Latinxs, Raza, etc. Please share and support.

 LINK

Booklandia- Bay Area Book Festival

Yo, I will be speaking on a panel about bilingual books with some local authors. Two of which are very good friends! Maya Gonzalez (OG) and Aida Salazar. If you're around, come listen to us talk and come say hello.

Also, if you're looking for bilingual books in Oakland go check out Booklandia section and story time at Kelly's Corner in the Laurel District.

Furqan's First Flat Top UPDATE 22- Back in Stock

Just wanted to let folks know "Furqan's First" is back in stock (2nd printing). You can get it from me directly. If you need a large number of books , please contact me at info@robdontstop.com. You can get the book through "We Buy Black.com", Etsy, and from your local bookstore.

Campaign worth supporting-They Call Me Mix (kids book)

Hey folks! Ok all my children's book lovers, authors, illustrators, librarians, bk sellers, advocates....come closer. This book is at 202 backers. We need to get it to 250. Doesn't matter if you donate $1 or $500. Let's get this book by a two POC authors made. Not only is it written and illustrated by them, it focuses on gender and what it means-especially for young students preschool to elementary school age. Put this on your networks and follow the page  and 

here is a link to the kickstarter

Author: Lourdes

Illustrator: Breena Nunez

Furqan's First Flat Top UPDATE 21- Latino Dad!

Had a chance to speak with journalist Roberto Santiago this past month about an online magazine he writes for called Latino Dad. We had a great conversation about fatherhood, being mixed kids, and my book. Please check it out and follow them.