| PROFILE | BOOKS | LINKS |
David Harrison
Most mornings I am eager to get started on the manuscript of the moment. The work is hard and takes time, but when that package arrives at last with a sample of your new book, you forget everything else.
Writers for young people are invited to speak at schools and literature festivals. Students always ask: "How did you get started?" "Where do you get your ideas?" "How long does it take to write a book?" "How old are you?" They rarely ask: "Why should we learn to write?" And I have answers! Writing helps us to focus on what we want to say. It clarifies our thinking and teaches us to arrange our thoughts in logical order. We choose words more carefully for the reader's sake. Besides, I love doing it. Writing gives our imagination permission to play. Kids seem surprised that after all these years I can still say that I love to write, and mean it. Writing can be, and should be, fun. Recreational writing, like recreational reading, is the best way to begin.
My work has received awards for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Titles include books about teaching poetry and writing stories. I've had more than 70 books published. I live in Springfield, Missouri with my wife Sandy. We have two grown children, Robin and Jeff, and two grandsons, Kris and Tyler. I consider myself lucky to be a writer.
| JOHNNY APPLESEED My Story Ages 4-8 Johnny Appleseed began as a nonfiction book, but after I finished the research I decided that Johnny might rather tell his own story. He could dispel some of the myths that sprang up around his legend and let us know what “really happened.” Turns out he’s a good story teller. |
| PAUL BUNYAN My Story Ages 4-8 Paul Bunyan wanted a chance to tell his story too. The problem was that a man called Johnny Appleseed really existed while Paul grew from bigger-than-life tall tales told by lumberjacks in the north woods. Talk about a challenge! But Paul came through. I knew he would. |
| FARMER'S GARDEN Rhymes for Two Voices Ages 4-8 Farmer’s dog is a favorite with young readers who enjoy reading with a friend. Dog (a Bernese Mountain Dog owned by the artist) is big and friendly and likes to talk to the things he discovers in his master’s garden. Like a lot of kids he also loves to ask questions. |
| BUGS poems about creeping things Ages 9-12 Everything about this book of poems is small, even the first letters in the title. That’s because the subjects are small and the poems are short. Here’s one: A TICK’S FRIENDS. “A tick has/no/friends./Therefore/my/story/ends. Read about a flea that swallows a giraffe, and more! |
| PIRATES Ages 9-12 Artist Dan Burr and I collaborated on this book, which portrays through art and poetry the treacherous lives of pirates. The poems and nonfiction explanations show us how it might have been for those who chose to risk their necks for a few gold doubloons. Dan’s art is sensational! |
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