David L. Harrison

David L. Harrison is an American children’s author, poet, and literacy writer whose work spans poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and educational resources for teachers. Born in Springfield, Missouri, he has published over 100 books for children and educators, and his titles have sold in the millions and been widely anthologized and translated. A musician, scientist, editor, and businessman earlier in his career, he holds two science degrees plus honorary doctorates of letters from Missouri State University and Drury University, and he has served as poet laureate of Drury University and as Missouri Poet Laureate (2023–2025).

Harrison is co-author of Guided Practice for Reading Growth, Grades 4–8: Texts and Lessons to Improve Fluency, Comprehension, and Vocabulary, and co-creator of Partner Poems and Word Ladders for Building Foundational Literacy Skills for grades K–2 and 1–3. His classroom-focused books draw on his experience writing poems and texts designed to support fluency, vocabulary, and foundational literacy skills for young readers.