David L. Harrison

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 is currently serving as State of Missouri Poet Laureate (July 2023-June 2025) and Drury University Poet Laureate (1983–present). 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