Happy Birthday David Shannon

10/05/2021

David Shannon’s Birthday: October 5

With his delightful books like No, David, and David Goes to School, readers of all ages feel they know the kind of kid David Shannon must have been on when he was young. Today, October 5, is his birthday, and we at Penworthy are celebrating by looking at his work as both an author and an illustrator.

David’s bio on his website, http://nodavidshannon.com/, tells us he liked to draw as soon as he could hold a crayon, and that his teachers found that the best way to keep him occupied and from disrupting the class was to let him draw murals on the walls. In this way, the class stayed focused, and the classroom became beautifully decorated.

After illustrating many books for other authors, including Julius Lester, Jane Yolen, and more, David realized he wanted to try writing his own stories. His first published children’s book was How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball, but he is perhaps best known for his semi-autobiographical books, No, David, David Goes to School, and David Gets in Trouble.

Originally from Washington, D.C., David Shannon grew up in Washington State but currently lives near Los Angeles with his family, including a West Highland White Terrier named Fergus, who can be spotted somewhere in every one of David’s books.

To see our current collection of David Shannon’s books, click here.