Michael S. Bandy

Michael S. Bandy is a screenwriter, actor, and children's book author whose career encompasses screenwriting, acting, and children's literature. Bandy's first children's book originated as an idea for a movie short. His entry into publishing began during his time as an NBC Page, where he met his writing partner, Eric Stein, and the two began developing writing projects together.

Bandy's early experience working with challenging audiences later contributed to his role as a host for industrial shows for several Fortune 500 companies, including involvement with the Silver Anvil Award–winning "Drive For Conservation," "Not For Men Only," and "EC1—Let's Clear The Air About Air Pollution."

As a founding member of the comedy troupe Comedy Shorts, Bandy has written for the European animated children's series "Star Street" and served as a writer and production consultant on Animation Tune Factory's "Muscle Dogg." He has appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including "The Mighty Gents," "Purlie Victorious," "Wine in the Wilderness," "A Raisin in the Sun," "The Madwoman of Challiot," "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well in Paris," and "The Smokin Room," which he co-wrote and produced.

Through his promotional and marketing company, Singer/Bandy Group, Bandy consulted with Hanna-Barbera to develop Hanna-Barbera Family Favorites, a book series from Bantam Double Dell. He also produced storyboards for MCA's production of "The Little Engine That Could" and created animation cell art for the fiftieth anniversary of Woody Woodpecker for Walter Lantz Productions.

With co-author Eric Stein, Bandy wrote the children's book "White Water" (Candlewick Press) and the script of the same name, which earned a Cosby Screenwriting Fellowship. Set in the segregation-era South at the dawn of the civil rights movement, the story is based on a real-life childhood experience of Bandy's. "White Water," illustrated by Shadra Strickland, became an award-winning title and was adapted into a TV movie. The screenplay earned Bandy and Stein an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television). The pair also wrote the scripts "Man of the Cloth," "The Messiah From Madison," and "Lemonade," a Gordon Parks Award finalist.

Bandy's second book, "Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box," published by Candlewick Press, received recognition in Kirkus Reviews, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal. "Granddaddy's Turn" was honored with an NAACP Image Award nomination for Excellence in Children's Literacy. Based on the true story of one family's struggle for voting rights in the civil rights–era South, the book explores a significant chapter in U.S. history. Bandy has continued to expand his catalog with "Northbound," illustrated by James Ransome, who also illustrated "Granddaddy's Turn."

Bandy has received commendations from the California State Assembly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Pacoima Inner City Organization, and the United States House of Representatives. He lives in Los Angeles and is involved in several children's charities. Drawing on his experiences growing up in the segregated South, Bandy brings an authentic and personal perspective to his work, engaging audiences interested in history, civil rights, children's literature, and storytelling.