Illustrator Christian Robinson's art resonates with audiences of all ages, fostering connection and understanding in our diverse world. He gravitates toward narratives that are often overlooked.

“I am drawn to stories that are challenging in some ways,” Robinson said. “I'm drawn to those stories that I wish I had myself as a child growing up, stories that would help me make sense of the world, process the world, understand myself better and also give an opportunity to make my classmates or other friends to understand me and what I was going through.”

For Robinson, it is important that the children who read the books he illustrates see themselves reflected in some way in the stories.

“That experience of seeing yourself sends a message that you matter,” Robinson said. “Your story matters, your experience matters. We see you. You're valuable. We need you.”

The iSchool will welcome Robinson Oct. 24 for this year’s Spencer G. Shaw Lecture. Robinson is an illustrator, author, animator and designer based in Oakland, California. 

He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in a small one-bedroom apartment with his brother, two cousins, aunt and grandmother. Drawing became his outlet to make space for himself and to create the kind of world he wanted to see. 

“I was not an avid reader growing up,” Robinson said. “I was definitely a reluctant reader, but I did love picture books and I loved being read to.”

Robinson studied character animation at the California Institute of the Arts. It was in school that he discovered his love for children’s books and picture books.

“I would honestly go into the school library and hang out in the children's books section and just pull out all these books by different illustrators,” Robinson said.

Robinson went to work with the Sesame Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios before becoming an illustrator of books for children. 

The reality of creating a picture book is that it is often very common for the author and illustrator to never talk to each other. Instead, they get information from the publisher. Despite this, Robinson describes the process as a collaboration.

“With a picture book, both are playing a role in telling the story.” Robinson said, “The story is something that we're creating together.”

Robinson adds that not only is it a collaboration between the author and illustrator, but also with the reader.

“It's the reader who's interpreting things and bringing their own understanding and also shaping the story,” Robinson said.

The Spencer Shaw Lecture Series takes place every October and features a leading figure in children's literature. It is open to library students, teachers, librarians, alumni and community members. This year, the lecture will be held both in-person at the HUB and over Zoom, and advance registration is required. 

“[I will share] the role that art and creativity has played in my life,” Robinson said. “How it's kind of been this very healing, very positive thing for me that's helped me overcome so many things.”

Robinson shared that he hopes that the audience will leave the lecture with an understanding of the power and importance of stories.

“I want it to be an uplifting experience,” Robinson said. “I want the takeaway [to be] the power and importance of the role of not just storytellers, but the people who champion stories: librarians, booksellers and educators.”

Robinson has illustrated books including the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Last Stop on Market Street,” written by Matt de la Peña, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and the Newbery Medal. He also illustrated the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “The Bench,” written by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. 

Robinson has also written and illustrated a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2019, “Another,” and the New York Times bestseller “You Matter.” His latest collaboration with Matt de la Peña, “Milo Imagines The World,” was a  No. 1 Indie Bestseller and a New York Times bestseller. 

Robinson is featured in a documentary, “Story and Pictures By,” released last year. On the evening of Oct. 23, the night before the Shaw Lecture, he will appear at the Allen Library Auditorium for a free screening of the film and a Q&A with iSchool Professor Michelle H. Martin.

For those interested in pursuing illustration, Robinson said the most important step to creating something that will truly connect with people is to connect with yourself.

“Take your own experiences and use that to create,” Robinson said. “You have to ask yourself what's important to you? What matters to you? What are the things that get you excited? What makes your heart race? What makes you smile? What are you most curious about?”