# Andrea Davis Pinkney

Andrea Davis Pinkney (born 1963) is an author of numerous books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, works of historical fiction and nonfiction; she writes about African-American culture. In addition to her work as an author, Pinkney has had a career as a children's book publisher and editor, including as founder of the Jump at the Sun imprint at Hyperion Books for Children, the Disney Book Group (now Disney Publishing Worldwide). She is vice president and editor-at-large for Scholastic Trade Books.
Her books have won the Coretta Scott King Award and been a Coretta Scott King Honor book, have been ALA Notable Books five times, School Library Journal best books three times, New York Times Editor's Choice and Notable books, and more.
Pinkney is a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications and is a former member of the Newhouse School's Board of Trustees. She lives in New York City with her husband, award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney, and their two children.

## Biography

Andrea Davis was born September 25, 1963, in Washington D.C. and was raised in Connecticut. Her parents were involved in the civil rights movement and exposed her to the cause from early on, even taking her to the annual conference of the National Urban League during many of her summer vacations.
Pinkney graduated from Syracuse University in 1985 with a degree in journalism and began working as an editor at Mechanix Illustrated. She then went on to work as a senior editor at Essence, as well as an editor for the book publishers Simon & Schuster and Scholastic.
While working at one of these early editing jobs, she met Brian Pinkney, a Caldecott Honor-winning children's book illustrator, whom she later married. The two have collaborated on a number of books, including Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down, Duke Ellington, Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, and Dear Benjamin Banneker.
She was chosen to deliver the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture at the University of Minnesota Libraries, Children's Literature Research Collections, Saturday, May 3, 2014, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (CDT). She was cited in January 2013 for "significant contributions to literature for young people provided through a body of work that brings a deeper understanding of African American heritage".
She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

## Honors and awards

* Carter G. Woodson Book Award, 2011
* Coretta Scott King Award, 2013
* The George Arents Award (Syracuse University's highest alumni honor, presented annually to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields)
* Medgar Evers College Lifetime Achievement Award

## Selected bibliography
### Picture books

* Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
* Ella Fitzgerald; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Because of You John Lewis: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship; illustrated by Keith Henry Brown
* A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day; illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
* Sojourner Truth's Step Stomp Stride; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Seven Candles for Kwanzaa; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Alvin Ailey; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories; illustrated by Daniel Minter
* Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Dear Benjamin Banneker; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Bill Pickett Rodeo Ridin' Cowboy; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Mims Christmas Jam; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Fishing Day; illustrated by Shane Evans
* Peggony Po; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Sleeping Cutie; illustrated by Brian Pinkney

### Narrative nonfiction

* Hand in Hand: 10 Black Men Who Changed America; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters; illustrated by Stephen Alcorn
* Martin Rising: Requiem for a King; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
* Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound

### Chapter book series

* She Persisted: Harriet Tubman
* She Persisted: Ella Fitzgerald
* Dear Mr. President: Abraham Lincoln
* Solo Girl
* Meet the Obamas
* Peace Warriors

### Middle grade novels

* The Red Pencil
* Raven in a Dove House
* With the Might of Angels
* Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It
* Bird in a Box
* Hold Fast to Dreams
* Silent Thunder

### Young adult

* Ten9Eight: Teen Business Blasts Off

### Baby books

* Bright Brown Baby Treasury
* Peek-a-You
* Count to Love
* Baby Boy, You Are a Star
* Hello, Baby Girl
* Hey, Beautiful You
* Pretty Brown Face
* I Smell Honey
* Watch Me Dance
* Shake, Shake, Shake *All baby books illustrated by Brian Pinkney

### Anthologies

* Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls
* Birthday Wishes
* 100 Reasons to Love Reading