by Caitlin Marineau, Assistant Curator, Children’s Literature Research Collections

Writer, editor, and publisher Andrea Davis Pinkney presented the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture on May 3, 2014 at the University of Minnesota, hosted by the Children’s Literature Research Collections. The complete lecture — “Rejoice the Legacy!” — is now available on YouTube.

Ms. Pinkney is a bestselling author of over 20 books for children and young adults. Her books include “With the Might of Angels,” “Bird in a Box,” “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down,” “Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride,” “Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters,” and “Duke Ellington.”

During the course of her career, Pinkney has launched many high-profile publishing and entertainment entities, including Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing’s Jump at the Sun imprint, the first African American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company.

About the May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture

The May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture celebrates May Hill Arbuthnot, who served as a strong voice for children’s literature. Each year a lecturer is chosen who will prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature. 

About the Children’s Literature Research Collections

The Children’s Literature Research Collections (CLRC) at the University of Minnesota Libraries was chosen to host the event by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and its 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Committee. The CLRC includes the Kerlan Collection — one of the world’s great children’s literature research collections — and includes books, original illustrations, and manuscripts significant in the history of children’s literature, including those of Pinkney.