Cover Reveal: You Matter by Christian Robinson

Now THIS sound interesting. On the heels of Christian Robinson’s Another, (which received five starred reviews and a New York Times Best Illustrated Award) his next solo project is waiting in the wings. Called YOU MATTER, it goes on sale on May 5, 2020. What’s it about? Well, turns out I have this handy dandy press release to answer that very question:

They All Saw a Cat meets The Important Book in this sensitive and impactful picture book about seeing the world from different points of view by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honoree Christian Robinson.

In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters.

A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE: YOU MATTER encourages readers to see the world from different points of view: a pair of bird-feeders, for example, or the pigeons they are feeding. With each subtle shift in perspective, Christian brings in new context, creating a world that feels as big as it is immediate.

AN EXERCISE IN EMPATHY: The perspective shifts Christian employs throughout this narrative are a playful way to engage with multiple points of view–and understand how different people may see things in different ways.

Christian Robinson was born in Hollywood, California, in 1986. He grew up in a small one bedroom apartment with his brother, two cousins, aunt, and grandmother. Drawing became a way to make space for himself and to create the kind of world he wanted to see. He studied animation at The California Institute of the Arts and would later work with the Sesame Street Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios before becoming an illustrator of books for children. His books include Gaston and Antoinette, written by Kelly DiPucchio, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña, which was awarded the Caldecott Honor, the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and the Newbery Medal. He presently lives in Northern California with his rescue greyhound Baldwin and several houseplants. He looks forward to one day seeing the Aurora Borealis. Visit him online at TheArtofFun.com.

So when they asked if I might be willing to reveal this book’s cover I might have sprained a pinky in falling over myself to reply, “Yes, please.” BUT! You know me. A mere cover? A dinky jacket? Oh me, oh my, we can do better than that. Fortunately, S&S is also handing over a couple interior spreads to go along with the cover.

First up . . . the interiors!

These are giving me a lot to chew on. I’ve always liked Christian’s art but this appears to be taking everything to the next level.

And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . the book itself:

And the full jacket spread:

Many thanks to Lisa Moraleda and Christian himself for the lovely reveal.

Filed under: Cover Reveal