Donald Samson has a long history with Waldorf Publications, starting back when it was AWSNA Publications! Donald’s first book, The Dragon Boy, struck David Mitchell as a story worth publishing; however, his budget that year wouldn’t allow immediate publication. This began Donald Samson's journey as a publisher and a strong author for young readers, as he and David Mitchell crafted a deal to publish the worthy story under the aegis of AWSNA Publications, financed and guided by Donald. Future books became independent publications of Donald Samson himself!With The Dragon Boy, he began writing a trilogy—The Star Trilogy—all about a boy who befriends a dragon after being assigned to care for that terrifying, giant, frightening animal. The remarkable adventures of these two fast friends make this compelling tale rich and surprising.
The second book in the trilogy is called The Dragon of Two Hearts, in which we find the dragon changed into a cruel and angry beast, no longer the friend of a little boy. Dragons, of course, live forever — but not so little boys, as the folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” teaches us. In a new generation, a different boy finds his way to identifying this dragon, made harsh and unapproachable because of mishandling, as the dragon this boy heard about, who lived when his ancestor had been the dragon’s friend.
The third book in the trilogy, The Dragon, the Blade, and the Thread, tells the story of yet another generation of boys whose destiny leads them to find the dragon. In this chapter of the dragon’s life, both the dragon and the boy are misunderstood by all around them. This shared misperception becomes the basis for a renewed friendship built on mutual understanding, much like those who came before.
This Star Trilogy launched Donald Samson’s career as a writer and publisher of many books for the young and the young at heart. Donald’s career also weaves in and out of Waldorf education in ways as marvelous as the stories he is so ingenious at telling! As teacher and head of school in both independent and charter schools, Donald has become the master storyteller that makes his books so enchanting, complex, and intriguing.
His deep knowledge of the Waldorf curriculum and the history that weaves through it all brought his story At the Hot Gates to life, a fifth-grade book extraordinaire about the significant battle at Thermopylae. This battle marks a turning point in Greek history. A thirteen-year-old who yearns to fight but is forbidden by his elders disguises himself and follows the warriors from his village to join them. Undetected by those who would stop him, he tells us the story in close detail from his youthful point of view. The story is short but riveting, and a perfect read for a fifth grader studying ancient Greece and the culture of warriorship, physical strength, and accomplishment.
Donald has published many stories as engaging and instructive as these described here. His newest book — one that Waldorf Publications is honored to be publishing — is Mud Brothers, on the brink of completion as of this November. Author of the Month designation is awarded to Donald Samson! This story is different in its way from previous stories. It is a moving tale of a boy who isn’t quite like other children, but who makes a miracle happen as he opens hearts around him in the young and the old. In the currents of today that speak of “inclusion” and “equity,” this story, in the simple telling of the lives of youngsters and the forces that confront them, makes clear what it takes to genuinely “include” everyone. A perfect chapter book Christmas gift for avid young readers!
Waldorf Publications is honored and excited to add this book to the others Donald Samson has written. Donald is a worthy Author of the Month, indeed!
