Bill Harley

Bill Harley is an American children's entertainer, musician, and author who has been called "the Mark Twain of contemporary children's music" by Entertainment Weekly. He uses a range of musical styles, and his audience includes both children and adults. Harley began singing and storytelling in 1975 while still in college. Much of his material is autobiographical, focusing on vignettes from childhood.

Harley has released over 30 recordings. He received two Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album For Children for his albums "'Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates & Dogs" and "Yes to Running, Bill Harley Live" in 2007 and 2009, and five additional Grammy nominations. He has also won Parents' Choice awards, ALA awards and the highest award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for his concert DVD Yes to Running.

Harley has also published numerous books. His first novel for elementary students, "The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher", was chosen by Bank Street School of Education as one of the best children's books of the year. His second novel for children, "Night of the Spadefoot Toads", was released in October 2008 and won a Green Earth Book Award. His picture books include "Sitting Down To Eat", which was selected as an American Booksellers Association Pick of the List. A book from his most recent series, "Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year", won the 2016 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice award and is part of the One School One Book programming from Read to Them.

Harley has performed in more than 2500 schools over the years. In addition to children's music, he performs at storytelling festivals around the country, including appearances at the National Storytelling Festival.