Andrea Davis Pinkney stands tall at just 4’11”, but she is still somehow larger than life. In her writing, she has what she refers to as “the page one pact,” a commitment to getting her readers’ attention right away. As an interviewee, she does the same. Andrea’s passion, commitment to adding to the canon of Black kid lit, and desire to inspire all kids to love reading come through from the moment she begins to talk. 

Drawing deeply from the writing style she honed during her early years in journalism, Andrea’s goal is to craft meaningful stories for kids—often about real people—while ensuring that reading is never (ever) a chore. Instead, she strives to make it a journey young readers are eager to go on with her.

Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling author known for her books for children and young adults, including “The Red Pencil,” “Because of You, John Lewis,” “Duke Ellington,” “Let It Shine,” and so many more. She is the winner of many awards, including the prestigious Coretta Scott King Book Award, and a four-time NAACP Image Award nominee. She is also a beloved editor (yes, she has a day job!), a librettist, and an industry leader. The only thing she may not overachieve in is, well, sleep!

In this episode, Andrea tells the story of her own introduction to the Civil Rights movement through her parents, explains how her writing career began by winning a contest she never even entered, and how changing a burger into a donut became a matter of journalistic integrity in one of her books. She shares about helping to curate an incredible exhibit with the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota entitled "Journey to Joy." Settle into our own journey to joy in a conversation that goes from John-Boy in the Waltons to the iconic Faith Ringgold with the indefatigable Andrea Davis Pinkney!

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If you’ve read her renowned story “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down,” you’ve likely noticed her gift for weaving verse-like prose and rhythm into her writing. That style inspired her reading challenge, Rhythm and Muse—a curated collection of stories that celebrate the same lyrical flow and musicality.

Learn more and download Andrea’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/andrea-davis-pinkney.

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This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is the inspirational Billy Allen, the Branch Manager of Whitney Library in Las Vegas's Clarke County Library District, aka 3KingVisions on YouTube. He tells us about his musical approach to exciting kids about reading.

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Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

Chapter 1 - Mom, Dad, and Civil Rights.

Chapter 2 - Sanctuaries

Chapter 3 - White Spaces 

Chapter 4 - Tar Beach

Chapter 5 - The Igniter

Chapter 6 - The Page One Pact

Chapter 7 - Kerlan Exhibit

Chapter 8 - Rhythm and Muse

Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian 

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport, Wanyee Li, and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey