Ofstad Reading Series to Feature New York Times Bestselling Author

New York Times bestselling author David Elliot will read his work at 6 p.m. March 1 in Baldwin Hall Little Theatre as a part of the Clayton B. Ofstad Reading Series.

Sponsored by the Department of English and Linguistics, this event is free and open to the public.

Born in Ohio, Elliott is the author of many picture books and novels for young people, including the New York Times bestselling “And Here’s to You!” His other books include: “The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle;” “Jeremy Cabbage;” “Finn Throws a Fit;” the Evangeline Mudd books; “This Orq! he cave boy;” and the poetry series, “On the Farm,” “In the Wild,” “In the Sea” and “On the Wing.”
 
Trained in classical voice, Elliot has worked as a singer in Mexico, a cucumber washer in Greece, a popsicle stick maker in Israel and a teacher in Palau. For many years, he taught English to Speakers of Other Languages. His interest in writing for children began when his son, now 30, was a toddler. Recently retired from Colby-Sawyer College where he was a professor in the creative writing program, he now writes full time. Elliot is one of the founding mentors of Lesley University’s low residency program in creative writing, where he still teaches. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and their dandie dinmont terrier, Queequeg.

Due to the generosity and vision of Odessa Ofstad in creating the Clayton B. Ofstad Endowed Chair in English and Linguistics, the Department of English and Linguistics is able to offer a range of intensive seminars, masterclasses and workshops in creative writing, English and linguistics led by guest writers and scholars. Along with these classes, the Clayton B. Ofstad Reading Series, which features these guests, has become a centerpiece of departmental and campus culture.