David Elliott, born in 1947, is an American author primarily known for his children's books, which are often written in verse and prose. He dedicated a significant portion of his career to academia, teaching creative writing, adolescent literature, and playwriting at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire from 1998 to 2013. During his tenure, he also held the position of director for International Student Services.

Elliott's writing career began in his youth, with his first story submitted to The New Yorker at age 16. His published works encompass a range of styles and subjects, including humorous stories, collections of poems about nature, and verse novels. Notable among these are 'Bull,' a young adult novel that reimagines the Minotaur myth, and 'Voices,' a novel presented in medieval verse that explores Joan of Arc's life from multiple perspectives. His contributions to children's literature have been frequently acknowledged with awards and honors, particularly from the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education.

David Elliott's body of work for young readers is characterized by its frequent use of verse and prose, often imbued with humor. Collections such as 'On the Farm' and its successors present concise poems focused on the natural world, offering readers brief, engaging observations of nature. His longer works, like the verse novel 'Bull,' delve into classic narratives, reinterpreting the myth of the Minotaur for a contemporary young adult audience. Similarly, 'Voices' employs medieval verse to examine historical figures, in this case, Joan of Arc, through a variety of viewpoints, suggesting an interest in exploring complex characters and narratives through lyrical language.

Beyond his writing, David Elliott has a notable academic background. From 1998 to 2013, he was an educator at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire. His teaching responsibilities included creative writing, adolescent literature, and playwriting, indicating a deep engagement with the craft and study of literature and dramatic arts. He also contributed to the college's international outreach by serving as the director of International Student Services, a role that suggests a commitment to fostering global connections and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Elliott's literary achievements have garnered significant recognition, particularly from the Children's Book Committee (CBC) at Bank Street College of Education. His poetry collection 'At the Poles,' illustrated by Ellen Rooney, received the Claudia Lewis Award for Younger Poetry in 2024 and was named among the Best Children's Books of the Year with Outstanding Merit. The CBC also honored his novel 'Voices: the final hours of Joan of Arc' with the 2020 Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry and inclusion on the Best Children's Book of the Year list. Numerous other titles by Elliott, spanning various series and standalone works, have also been featured on the CBC's prestigious Best Children's Book of the Year lists.