This spring, Christian Robinson is celebrating the launch of his solo picture book debut, Another (S&S/Atheneum), with an eight-city tour. The events kicked off on March 4 and will run through May 7, featuring stops at 14 elementary schools in Austin, Houston, St. Louis, Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. For the tour, Robinson wore a jumpsuit inspired by the book to each school and bookstore appearance. We’ve gathered a selection of highlights from his travels.
Robinson at Elsa England School in Austin. Photo: Kristen J. Holland.
Robinson views the student artwork at Highland Park Elementary School in Austin.
Presenting at Highland Park Elementary. Robinson said of his jumpsuit, “Another is about entering another world, and I wanted my presentation to take viewers on a journey to a place where anything is possible. One way of doing that was through my outfit. My spacey jumpsuit was designed by Sacramento-based designer Samuel Rose. I think it helped draw kids into the presentation and get them ready to go on this adventure with me.”
How did kids react to the jumpsuit? “At the end of each reading,” Robinson said, “there was a kid who noticed that the red Saturn on my jumpsuit matched the one on the girl’s dress. I think it activated a curiosity in them. Compared to other tours I’ve done, kids were definitely more curious to learn more about who I am and where I came from, which is exactly the tone I wanted to set.” Photo: Kristen J. Holland.
Robinson at City Academy in St. Louis, during a visit hosted by the Novel Neighbor bookstore.
A school visit with Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston.
Children at Mayfield Jr. School in Pasadena joined Robinson for an event hosted by Once Upon a Time Bookstore.
Robinson beside the welcome banner at Laurence School in Van Nuys, Calif.
Delivering a presentation at Laurence School.
