Christian Robinson is the second author in our 2021 Author Study Challenge. He is primarily an illustrator, so I’m maybe cheating a little here, but he is also the author/illustrator of a few books now and his work is just so delightful I feel like he is someone everyone should know. Once you read the list below I bet if you weren’t already aware that you love his books, you’ll realize you’ve heard of or hopefully have read more than you realized. If not, I’m excited for you to meet him because wow, guys – his collection of published books is incredible.
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about the 2021 Author Study Challenge
Christian Robinson Author/Illustrator Study
Meet the Author
Christian Robinson is an author/illustrator. He has written and illustrated a couple books now, but he has also illustrated a whole stack of amazing books written by other authors. Christian Robinson is the 2016 Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor recipient.
- Here’s an interview about the art of picture book making with Christian Robinson.
- Learn some fun things about Christian Robinson on this infographic.
- link to interviews or other coverage
Christian Robinson’s website: The Art of Fun
Books Written AND Illustrated by Robinson
Another
Sly, playful, creative and Robinson’s debut as an author-illustrator. Carefully crafted, this wordless book makes you wonder and begs you to turn the page as you follow a little girl and her cat. Full of imagination and adventure and just a touch of humor. This is unlike anything you’ve read before and is so much fun. Find Online
Activity Ideas:
- Printable activity pages from Simon.
- Cut out a bunch of circles and create a picture of somewhere imaginary or use dabbers to create circle art.
You Matter
This is so good. Bright, powerful, heart filled – this invites you to see how everyone is connected and how we all matter. It’s about seeing the big and small pieces of the world and the range of different perspectives. Whimsical, subtle, and so full of heart, YOU MATTER is a message to all children that they matter. Find Online
Activity Ideas:
- Printable activity pages for YOU MATTER.
- Read aloud video with Christian Robinson.
Shop Christian Robinson Booklist at Bookshop.org to Support Local Bookstores
Books Illustrated by Robinson
Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Pena
This is likely the book you’re most familiar with on this list. It is the award winner that seems to be on every list right now. There is also a board book version now if you have little ones. It’s a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated that depicts a relationship, socio-economic class, and story not often told in picture books. Find Online
Activity Ideas:
- People on the bus activity from Sunny Day Family
- Build your community. Such a fun STEM activity inspired by the book.
Little Penguins
by Cynthia Rylant
Adorable is how I would describe this one. It’s obviously a great winter story, but it’s just sweet and fun in general. Find Online
Activities:
- STEM Penguin Activities from Little Bins for Little Hands
- All About Penguins for Elementary School Kids from Proud to the Primary
Rain
written by Linda Ashman
This is my favorite, I think. I hate rain so the general plot resonates with me and I also love and identify with how the joy of others, especially my children, is infectious and impacts those around them. This is a wordless book and although it was “written” by Linda Ashman and she definitely created the concept – you can read what this looked like when she submitted it on her website – it is Christian Robinson’s artwork that largely brings the story to life. Find Online
Activities:
- Go for a rainy day walk
- Journal about or draw a picture of how rainy days make you feel
- Try to create a story that only uses pictures, we like to use these comic strip templates.
- Teacher’s Guide with lots of extension ideas from Linda Ashman’s site.
You May Also Like: Linda Ashman Author Study
Leo: A Ghost Story
by Mac Barnett
I mean, it’s Mac Barnett. This is quirky, original, and funny just like you’d expect from Mac Barnett. Christian Robinson’s illustrations only use a few colors which is different from his other books. Find Online
Activities:
- Create a picture with only two colors. Robinson used only blue and black to illustrate LEO. Think of a story, moment, or feeling and then illustrate it with only two colors.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
written by Justin Roberts
Can someone tiny make a big difference? That’s the question posed by this book. I love the cheerful illustrations and the overall message about standing up against a bully. Find Online
School’s First Day of School
written by Adam Rex
I thought this story was a work of genius when I first read it. The first day of school from the school building’s perspective. So clever. Christian Robinson’s illustrations here are just perfect. It’s a warm, wonderful book perfect for reading at the start of a new school year.
Gaston
written by Kelly Dipucchio
This is my next favorite on this list I think (it’s so hard to pick things like that!) It’s the story of a mix-up but also kind of about adoption and what family really means. It’s a layered story that works with a little bit older kids, but it’s also a sweet story about puppies that allows you to enjoy it with younger kids as well. Find Online
Antoinette
by Kelly Dipucchio
This is the follow up to GASTON and it’s almost as delightful. It’s more of an adventure, girl power kind of story. Antoinette is an adorable, charming poodle and she saves helps save Gaston’s sister in this story. Find Online
Extension Ideas: After reading both GASTON and ANTOINETTE, learn how to draw some dogs. My kids love these drawing tutorials on Art Hub for Kids.
When’s My Birthday
written by Julie Fogliano
This is an award winner that to me reads like a poem. The narrator excitedly lists all the things that will make her birthday the BEST birthday. It’s a celebration of birthdays. Find Online
Extensions:
- Write about what makes your best birthday.
- Read this and ANOTHER and then make a picture that includes dots or polka dots.
Carmela Full of Wishes
written by Matt de la Pena
This is the same team that created LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET. This is another birthday book. Carmela finds a dandelion and has to make a wish but it takes her a while to think of the perfect thing. It is every day life in a neighborhood, an ode to family and dreamers, and it’s about finding hope where you might now expect it. Find Online
Just in Case You Want to Fly
written by Julie Fogliano
Another by this pair, this is also poetic. It’s gently funny, bright and lyrical. We own this one because I just love the message of love and empowerment. Find Online
The Dead Bird
written by Margaret Wise Brown
I said Mac Barnett was quirky but this one is even more unusual. I don’t think I would have read this to my preschoolers, my children in particular are on the sensitive so I would caution you to read this to yourself first before you share it and trust your instincts, but it is an interesting, unique story. Find Online
Extension: Read some books by Margaret Wise Brown with this biography.
Josephine
by Patricia Hruby Powell
This is the story of Josephine Baker told in poems divided into acts. The words are as vibrant as a dance. The illustrations are bright and active. For a picture book this is long. You could also read this as a chapter book, but the poems are not quite as dense as you might expect from the thickness of the book. I’d recommend this for older elementary schoolers. A wonderful biography that captures the essence of Josephine Baker and her dazzling life. Find Online
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
written by Renee Watson
This is a great nonfiction book for older elementary schoolers. HARLEM’S LITTLE BLACKBIRD has more text than a typical picture book but not as long as JOSEPHINE above. It is the story of Florence Mills the Broadway singer in the 1920s who worked to support the work of fellow black performers. It is about the civil rights era, justice and following one’s dreams. Find Online
Extensions:
- Read more books about Black History. Here is a whole booklist to get you started of amazing, heart-filled picture book biographies.
Milo Imagines the World
written by Matt de la Pena
This one is coming out in 2021 – the third from this team. I can’t wait!!
Link to Pre-Order
Shop Christian Robinson Booklist at Bookshop.org to Support Local Bookstores
Book Club & Author Study Ideas
If you’re reading a whole stack of Christian Robinson books, here are some activities you could do with any or all of them.
- Vote on your favorite Christian Robinson book. Maybe create a graph.
- Create art inspired by Christian Robinson’s style. He loves using mixed media – which means a combination of styles and materials. He uses cut paper, he mixes collage with paint like in LEO, and sometimes creates in colored pencil like with THE SMALLEST GIRL IN THE SMALLEST GRADE and LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET.
Click Here to Get the Preschool Author Study Pack
#2021authorstudychallenge
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