The Syracuse University School of Education announces the inaugural Jo-Linda and Dennis Keith Distinguished Speaker Series featuring the renowned family of authors and illustrators; , Gloria Jean Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, Andrea Davis Pinkney ’85, and Jerry Pinkney. They will visit Syracuse for a 2-day residency, sharing their award-winning body of work, and discussing how social justice and representation of African-American culture in children’s literature became the family business.
A selection of books by the Pinkneys will be available for purchase at each of these events from the Syracuse University bookstore (check or credit only, no cash).
Thursday, February 15
Residency Keynote
Raising Readers
Join the bestselling and award-winning Pinkney family in this interactive live-stage presentation as they share the influences that inspired them to collaborate on hundreds of notable children’s books. Through storytelling, imagery, and song, the Pinkneys invite participants into their creative book-making process. They show how their books have helped generations of families, teachers, librarians, and communities build life-long learning habits, from the earliest learning-to-read ages through young adulthood. This event is open to the public and geared toward the Syracuse University community, educators, librarians, artists, and illustrators.
7 p.m.
001 Life Sciences Building
Preceeded by a reception and book signing
6:15 p.m., Milton Atrium, Life Sciences Building
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available for the event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact suschoolofed@syr.edu or 315.443.4696. Parking available in the Booth Garage on Comstock Avenue.
Friday, February 16
Community Library Event
Ready, Set, Read – SUCCEED!
Reading is an adventure, filled with discovery, joy, and lots of fun! The bestselling and award-winning Pinkney family engage students and families in the influences that have inspired them to collaborate on hundreds of notable children’s books. This program includes storytelling, song, pictures, and a few surprises! This event is open to the public and geared toward home schooled children, pre-school and kindergarten children, parents, and librarians.
2-3:30 p.m.
Beauchamp Branch Library
2111 South Salina Street, Syracuse
Gallery Talk & Reception
Two Shed Light: The Visual Storytelling of Jerry & Brian Pinkney
Join the bestselling and award-winning Pinkney family who share their insights on the marriage of words and pictures, and how these have been pivotal in their creation or more than 100 notable books for children and young adults. This talk is open to the public and geared toward the Syracuse University community, educators, artists, and literacy and community development partners.
Talk 5 p.m.; Reception 6-8 p.m.
Community Folk Art Center
805 East Genessee Street, Syracuse
Two Shed Light will be on display at Community Folk Art Center from February 13-March 16. For more information, visit communityfolkartcenter.org.