Meet David Allison, a children’s author who believes that courage doesn’t have to look perfect — sometimes it’s silly, messy, and full of laughter. Through his Clumsy Courage™ picture books, David celebrates the moments that make childhood wonderfully human: persistence, belonging, and the courage to keep going, even when you stumble.
His award-winning stories — including All Kinds of Families and Finding a Sport for Hector — have received multiple 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, earned Honorable Mentions in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, and were selected for the 2025 Phoenix Library Local Author Collection. Each book encourages children to see themselves as brave, creative, and loved — no matter how imperfect their path may be.
Before becoming an author, David’s journey was as dynamic as his stories: from chasing the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, to teaching and coaching, to leading in marketing and storytelling roles. Today, he brings all of that heart and experience to writing books that make kids giggle and grow in equal measure.
When he’s not writing, you’ll find David exploring desert trails, cheering on his two kids, walking the family’s tripod dog, or sharing a quiet moment with his wife in their Arizona home.
Through Clumsy Courage™, David reminds readers — young and old — that mistakes and laughter are both part of becoming brave.
✨ Meet David Allison at the Scottsdale Book Festival, where stories of courage, family, and fun leap off the page.