David Martin

David Martin grew up in Queens, New York thinking he was going to be a scientist but ended up writing books for children and living in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. His most recent releases are Lucy And Bob, a series of four Brand New Reader stories which he wrote and illustrated, and a picture book, All For Pie, Pie For All. In 2005 the picture books, We’ve All Got Bellybuttons, an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner, and Piggy And Dad Go Fishing an Oppenheim Gold winner and Children’s Book Council, Children’s Choice pick were published. Along with Lucy And Bob, David’s other Brand New Readers include: Piggy And Dad, Piggy And Dad Play, Monkey Trouble, Monkey Business, and Three Little Bears. The Brand New Readers are books for children who are in fact brand new readers and are just ready to begin reading on their own. According to Lucy Calkins, professor of curriculum and teaching at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, “The Brand New Readers series is one of the best out there to motivate new readers.” And finally, in the sadly out of print category there are: Five Little Piggies, a Parent’s Choice Award winner, Little Chicken Chicken, Lizzie And Her Puppy and three other Lizzie stories, and from long, long ago, Gator And Mary’s Traveling Band.

David also taught for 18 years: special ed, 4th and 7th grades and Reading Recovery® and Title 1 with first graders. Then, for several years, he was an early literacy specialist for the Vermont Dept. of Ed. But before all that he began to raise a family and worked mostly as a carpenter. Nowadays, to stay in touch with the children he writes for, he visits schools and libraries, does writing residencies with elementary school children, is part of the Dogshark Theater, and plays with his young niece and grandchild. He also leads literacy workshops for parents, teachers and librarians and has presented at the International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English conferences. David is also a sculptor and is very happy to have now illustrated some of his own books.