David Wisniewski

American writer

David R. Wisniewski (March 21, 1953 in – September 11, 2002), was an American writer and illustrator best known for children's books.

Wisniewski was born in England, where his father was stationed as a master sergeant in the Air Force. He and his family moved throughout Europe and America when he was a child, following his father's postings. He credits his mother with teaching him to draw in the first grade, which led to his love of reading, starting with Marvel Comics and moving on to Classics Illustrated. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park but could not afford more than one semester, and dropped out to join the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and without going on a single date. In 1980, they started the Clarion Puppet Theatre (later known as the Clarion Shadow Theatre), where he learned to use an X Acto knife to cut out jointed shadow puppets and background scenery. The Clarion Shadow Theatre toured in schools, theaters and at the Smithsonian. In 1990, they presented Peter and the Wolf at the Kennedy Center.

Elfwyn's Saga New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1990. Golem. New York: Clarion Books, 1996. Rain Player New York: Clarion Books, 1991. The Secret Knowledge of Grown ups New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1998. Sumo Mouse San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002. Sundiata: Lion King of Mali New York: Clarion Books, 1992. Tough Cookie New York: Clarion Books, 1999. The Warrior and the Wise Man New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1989. The Wave of the Sea Wolf New York: Clarion Books, 1994. Worlds of Shadow: Teaching with Shadow Puppetry, Teacher Idea Press, 1996 (with Donna Wisniewski).