About David
David Thornton has always loved children’s books. Every Saturday morning growing up in Manhattan, Kansas meant a trip to the library with his mom, where he would present his library card (the only thing in his plastic Roy Rogers wallet), return his books, and check out new Dr. Seuss and Babar titles. Babar soon became wonderful biographies on Nathan Hale, Marie Curie and Robert Perry, further adding to his love for books.
Fast forward to when David’s dad sold his personal library of 6000 volumes to Strand Books in NYC. David’s one request was to have all the children’s books. This meant all the Christmas titles his father and brothers had received as young boys growing up in Boston. All inscribed in cursive heavy blue ink: “To John 1925 Xmas;” “To Robert 1929 Xmas;” “To Norman 1931 Xmas.” Titles like Heroes of Troy, Rolf, Treasure Island and Last of the Mohicans. All with fabulous colored N.C. Wyeth plates.
After a B.A. degree in English from Hamilton College, an MFA From Yale Drama school, and a career on stage, in television and film, David rediscovered his love for children’s books while reading out loud to his son. Then work took him away. “Law and Order SVU” and “Homeland” on TV, as well as films like “The Notebook,” “John Q,” “A Civil Action,” and “Home Alone 3.”
When COVID hit, David discovered writing. His first effort, Lucky Lucky Yume, had the great fortune of being turned into a live action short film produced by Oscar winner Nicolas Celis (ROMA) and producer Jim Stark (Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Mystery Train”) and made film festival rounds in March/April 2024. His second effort, Leaf Erikson, is being produced by Paramount producers Ryan Harris and Maryann Garger, with music by Jackson Browne and Cyndi Lauper (David’s wife). Talk about putting the cart before the horse! Anyway, soon David hopes to see both published as wonderful books.
To date, David has some thirty titles and is committed to writing many more. He has semi-retired from acting to pursue his real passion: children’s books. It’s never too late!
