Rob Sayegh Jr. is the author-illustrator and illustrator of numerous books for children, including the New York Times best-selling picture books I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared! by Seth Meyers and Cupig by Claire Tattersfield. Rob Sayegh Jr. creates playful illustrations, silly stories, and heartwarming characters to make people of all ages smile. A former toy designer, he finds inspiration for new stories by collecting vintage toys, exploring the streets of San Francisco, and falling in love with every dog he meets. Find out more about Rob and his work at RobSayArt.com, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook.
Dawn Patrol would make a wonderful gift for:
- Any young reader interested in surfing
- Surfer parents
- Father’s Day
- Bedtime reading
- Gift from a father to a daughter, or vice versa, no matter what age (“We’ll be the Dawn Patrol, no matter how tall I get. No matter how far apart we are.”)
About The Book
Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story
Written and illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Launch date: May 13, 2025
Some of the other people involved with the book:
Editor: Kaylan Adair
Art Director: Maryellen Hanley
Synopsis: “Waking with the first glimpse of sun, a father and daughter set out together for the shore, donning wetsuits and laughing as their giant shadows stretch out before them. For this duo, the cherished routine means watching with awe as surfers glide on waves like brushstrokes across canvas. It means just enough encouragement to turn nervousness into excitement; it means wiping out and trying again and again. But the Dawn Patrol is about more than spending time on the water. It’s about making memories out of the smallest moments; about always finding ways to be together, no matter how busy life gets or what the passing days and years may bring.”
INTERVIEW
Q. What was your writing and illustration process for this book?
Usually an illustrator of humorous picture books featuring anthropomorphic animals like Cupig and Proper Badger Would Never, Dawn Patrol is the first book where I explore emotional themes. The writing process was very different, but also felt much more natural to tell. I like to think Dawn Patrol was inside me for a long time. When the opportunity finally came to write it, I finished the whole manuscript in less than a week, and in about 3-4 weeks, the book went to auction. Needless to say, as nervous as I am about Dawn Patrol, I couldn’t be prouder of what it has become, and I hope that will be evident when you get to read it.
Like the writing process, Dawn Patrol is unlike any art I have done before. On almost every page of the book, a technique called paper marbling that is hundreds of years old is used to create the water scenes throughout the book. I taught myself and learned the process through countless YouTube videos, many mistakes, and a lot of patience. Paint floats on top of the water, and a piece of paper is then dipped into the water to create a magnificently wild textured effect of paint dancing across the page. It is the most hand painting I have ever done for a book thus far.
Q. What do you hope young readers will take away from your book?
As a new parent and former child, I think this book holds a valuable lesson to both older and younger readers. It reminds us to celebrate the parent-child bond and the little moments we share as parents and children that add up to a lifetime of love.
Q. What advice do you have for young creators?
If Dawn Patrol has taught me anything, it’s that writing and creating is an emotional roller coaster. Don’t be afraid to jump genres or subject matters, especially with stories that come from the heart. Lean into the emotions and let it fuel the creative process. It might surprise you where it takes you.
See more Interviews here as well as Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators.