David L. Harrison facts for kids
David Lee Harrison (born March 13, 1937) is an American children's author and poet.
Professional career
Harrison's poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for young readers have been anthologized in more than 200 books, translated into twelve languages, sandblasted into a library sidewalk, painted on a bookmobile, and presented on television, radio, podcast, and video stream. Eighteen of his 108 books are professional works for teachers. He has served as Missouri Poet Laureate (July 2023-June 2025) and Drury University Poet Laureate (1982-2022). David Harrison Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri, is named after him. He has given keynote talks, college commencement addresses, and been featured at hundreds of conferences, workshops, literature festivals, and schools across America.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury University in 1959, a Master of Science degree from Emory University in 1960, and two Honorary Doctor of Letters degrees. His poetry collections, Pirates (2003) and Crawly School for Bugs (2018), represented Missouri at the National Book Fair in Washington, D.C.
Work History
- 1953–58 Musician: Principal trombonist, symphony orchestra, Springfield, Missouri
- 1959– Writer: stories for adult market; fiction, nonfiction, poetry for children; professional books for teachers
- 1960–63 Pharmacologist: Mead Johnson, Evansville, Indiana
- 1963–73 Editor/Editorial Manager: Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, Missouri
- 1973–2008 Business owner: Glenstone Block Company, Glen Block Hardware stores; Springfield, Branson, Branson West, Camdenton, Kaiser, Missouri
- 1984–2018 Co-owner: Gamble’s Gifts, Springfield, Missouri
Personal Information
Harrison and his wife Sandy live in Springfield, Missouri. They have two grown children, Robin (husband Tim and children Kris and Tyler) and Jeff.
Honors and Awards
- Christopher Award, Christopher Foundation, 1973, for The Book of Giant Stories.
- Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children's Literature, Central State University, 1978.
- Kentucky Blue Grass Award nominee, Kentucky State Reading Association, 1993, for Somebody Catch My Homework, 2022.
- Celebrate Literacy Award, Springfield Council of the International Reading Association (IRA), 1994, 2002.
- Celebrate Literacy Award, Missouri State Reading Association, 1994, 2023.
- Friend of Education Award, Missouri State Teachers Association, 1994 and 2002.
- Children's Choice Award, IRA/Children's Book Council, 1994, for Somebody Catch My Homework, 1995, for When Cows Come Home, and 1997, for A Thousand Cousins.
- Inclusion on Recommended Reading List, Kansas State Reading Association, 1995, and Master List of Virginia Young Readers Program, Virginia State Reading Association, 1996–97, both for When Cows Come Home.
- IRA Local Council Community Service Award, 2001, for "Sky High on Reading" literacy project.
- Missouri Governor's Humanities Award, 2001.
- The Missourian Award, 2006.
- Pioneer in Education Award for distinguished and devoted service to public education,
2014.
- First recipient of Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for Children’s Literature, 2020.
