Time to write my acceptance speech

Hi everyone,

Today I focus on what I’ll say Thursday evening. I have 15-20 minutes to express my appreciation for receiving the first ever Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Award. I’ll receive in Mansfield, Missouri it in the Wilder Museum a short distance from the home where Laura lived and wrote her books.

I may read a poem or two, but I think people may expect more than a reading. I want to draw on some experiences during my years as a writer. Last month I celebrated by 51st anniversary since THE BOY WITH A DRUM was published in 1969. I know I’m going to enjoy the evening, but I want the audience to enjoy it too!

Spreading the news

Hi everyone,

I’m grateful to Kathy Temean for featuring the news of my Laura Ingalls Wilder award on her blog post yesterday: https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2020/08/17/poetry-david-l-harrison/#comment-110333
The new award is originated and presented by The Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival, an event sponsored by the L.I.W. Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri where Wilder spent the last 60 years of her life and wrote her books. Annually 30,000 visitors from all fifty states and 20 countries come to tour her home and see the museum. Their Facebook page has 56,000 followers.

Thanks as well to Greg J. Holman at Springfield News-Leader for his article in yesterday’s paper about the award.

https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2020/08/17/new-laura-ingalls-wilder-book-award-given-springfield-author/5584061002/?fbclid=IwAR0jmluLT6ILMUgwWRUvJX1D-5vKwhMuU9il8L9pkFqozuR28OM73erw3ts

And thanks to everyone who posted such warm responses to my Facebook and blog posts. I’m just now reaching the end of the list and have loved each one.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Award

Hi everyone,


I’m happy I can now announce I’m being honored November 5 during the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival in Mansfield, Missouri with the first Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Medal.

Barbara Higgins Bond, Children’s Book Illustrator
Photographer: Steve Harman

Artist Higgins Bond, from Nashville, Tennessee, is receiving the first L.I.W. medal for illustrations. Here’s more information about Higgins. https://www.higginsbondartist.com/

The medal has been designed by Ron Sanders . Here’s more information about Ron. http://ronsandersfineart.com/about
The medal is being created by Medalcraft Mint, which also produces the Caldecott, the Peabody, and the Pulitzer.

I am very grateful for the recognition of my work and send sincere thanks to Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival and the selection committee for honoring me in this way.