Sandra Boynton author page

Sandra Boynton biography

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American author, illustrator, songwriter, and producer known for her humorous and engaging work across various media. Born on April 3, 1953, in Orange, New Jersey, she grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Boynton attended Germantown Friends School and later earned a B.A. in English from Yale University in 1974. She pursued graduate studies in drama at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Yale School of Drama but did not complete a degree in that field.

Boynton began her career in the 1970s by designing greeting cards, notably for Recycled Paper Greetings. Her distinctive style and wit contributed to the sale of nearly 500 million cards between 1973 and 2003. In 1977, she published her first children’s book, Hippos Go Berserk!, initiating a prolific writing career. She has since authored and illustrated over 85 children’s books, including Moo, Baa, La La La!, The Going to Bed Book, and Barnyard Dance!, with total sales exceeding 90 million copies.

In addition to her literary work, Boynton has produced several music albums in collaboration with composer Michael Ford. These include Rhinoceros Tap (1996), Philadelphia Chickens (2002), and Blue Moo (2007). Philadelphia Chickens was nominated for a Grammy Award and achieved Platinum certification. Boynton has also directed music videos, such as One Shoe Blues featuring B.B. King.

Her contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the National Cartoonists Society’s Book Illustration Award and the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award. Boynton continues to create new works, including a forthcoming Christmas album titled Cows and Holly, scheduled for release in September 2024.