Andrea J. Loney
Storyteller: Andrea J. Loney
Andrea J. Loney’s books include the new middle-grade biography VIP: Stacey Abrams – Voting Visionary, picture books Double Bass Blues (Caldecott Honor for illustrator Rudy Gutierrez) and Bunnybear (featured on the ALA Rainbow List), and the picture book biography Take a Picture of Me, James Vanderzee (Lee & Low Books New Voices Award Winner, and NAACP Image Award Nominee). Her upcoming works include the picture book biography Curve and Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams (Knopf) and the futuristic chapter book series Abby in Orbit (Albert Whitman & Company), all coming in September 2022. A graduate of New York University with an MFA in dramatic writing, Andrea teaches computer science at a local community college. She lives in Inglewood, CA with her family, their pets, and many stacks of kids’ books. Learn more at andreajloney.com.
On writing for children:
“I believe that sharing a rich and diverse world of love, compassion, and joy with children will help to foster a diverse world of love, compassion, and joy when those kids grow up. Writing for kids is my personal investment in a better future for us all. Plus, it is so rewarding and fun!”
What was the most valuable or memorable experience of AMPLIFY for you?
Communing with this wide variety of Black children’s book creators from around the world was such an amazing experience for me. I learned so much and made so many new connections. It’s been a joy to celebrate these amazing Black writers and illustrators.
“I believe that every child should be able to grab a stack of books and see themselves as the hero or heroine, the beloved, and center of the story. So writing for kids is my personal investment in a kinder, more compassionate, and more equitable future for us all.”
