Robert Casilla

Books by This Illustrator

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens

Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 6-9

Jesse Owens was a breakthrough athlete – an African American who captured the world stage (and four gold medals!) at the 11th Olympiad in Nazi Germany. In this book, readers will learn about his life through brief text and watercolor illustrations. Younger readers may enjoy Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s picture book, Jesse Owens: Olympic Star.

First Day in Grapes

Illustration of young boy standing in front of grape fields
Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 9-12
Language: English, Spanish vocabulary featured

Chico has had lots of first days, like the first day of artichokes and the first day of onions. Today will be his first day in grapes as his family arrives in a new place to harvest a new crop. Despite some trouble from some bullies, Chico has a good first day — and he may even be at this school long enough to participate in the math contest! Through Chico's eyes, students will have a new appreciation for what it's like for migrant kids or other kids who move a lot and who always know they have a new first day just around the corner.

Jalapeño Bagels

Boy in front of bakery
Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 6-9
Language: English

"When Pablo must bring something to share for his school's International Day, he considers several items from his family's bakery. But his mother's Mexican pan dulce, empanadas, and chango bars don't do the trick. His father's bagels and challah bread are appealing, but not quite right either. Then the boy helps to make the family specialty, Jalapeño Bagels, joint creation from the cultures of both parents, and decides that it is the perfect contribution: '...a mixture of both of you. Just like me.'" — School Library Journal

Mama Had to Work on Christmas

Mama Had to Work on Christmas
Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: In this short chapter book, we meet Gloria, who always spends Christmas with Papi, Mama, and Nana. But this Christmas, Papi is away picking oranges and Mama has to work at the hotel where she is a maid. Gloria soon discovers that the lavish decorations and foods piled high on the tables are only for the guests. How Gloria moves from disappointment to understanding makes for a poignant story that honors the true spirit of the Christmas season.

The Remembering Day / El día de los muertos

Illustration of girl and grandmother picking flowers
By: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Long, long, long ago, Bella and her grandmother Mamá Alma admired their vegetable garden. They liked gardening together. They grew sunflowers and lilies too, and chatted with lizards and hummingbirds. They walked around the flowers and vegetables holding hands, something they had done frequently since Bella was a baby. As her grandmother aged, Bella helped her to walk. "Every year, I need your help more and more," said Mamá Alma.

Un tren llamado Esperanza/A Train Called Hope

Boy with a train in front of mountains
Illustrated by: Robert Casilla
Age Level: 6-9

In this poignant bilingual picture book, a boy remembers his first present, a toy train. Years later, after his parents have gone far away in search of work and a better future, the boy rides a real train to join his family. This one is loaded with hundreds of children traveling alone, just like him.