Author of the Lost Years of Merlin and Great Tree of Avalon series
“In everything I do,” says T. A. Barron, “I’m a storyteller. As a dad, a writer, a documentary film maker, a conservationist, and a voice for the importance of heroes—in all these ways, I tell stories. Why? Because there is no more powerful—or more exciting—way to convey an idea than through a story.”
T.A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country, traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar, managed a successful business in New York, and then changed careers to become a full-time writer and conservationist. His passion for the wonders of nature, his deep concern for humanity and our fragile planet, and his belief in the heroic potential of every person, radiate through his books—many of which are international bestsellers.
From the attic of his Colorado home, he writes powerful, poetic, and inspiring books enjoyed by children and adults alike.
His highly acclaimed work has garnered the Nautilus Award Grand Prize, given to books that promote a better world, as well as many other book awards and honors from the American Library Association and the International Reading Association. In the words of author Madeleine L’Engle, T.A. Barron’s books are “a rare gift to be treasured for a lifetime.” Robert Redford declared that “T.A. Barron’s appreciation for nature shines through” his “extraordinary” work. And Book Sense labeled his books “the best of the best that is being written in children’s literature.”
T. A. Barron’s novels include: The Lost Years of Merlin epic (currently being developed into a feature film); the new Merlin’s Dragon trilogy; The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy (a New York Times best seller); and The Ancient One (the story of a brave girl and a great redwood tree). He has also written several books for young readers, including Tree Girl and the illustrated children’s books High as a Hawk, The Day the Stones Walked, and Where is Grandpa?. He greatly enjoys any chance to write nature books about Colorado’s magnificent wilderness. His non-fiction book, The Hero’s Trail, describes how any person from any background can make a positive difference to the world.
T.A. Barron also founded a national award to honor outstanding young people. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (which he named after his mother) recognizes extraordinary, public-spirited young people from all backgrounds, in the hope that their examples will inspire others. He produced a documentary film, Dream Big, profiling seven young winners of the Barron Prize.
In addition, Tom (as he is called by friends and family) serves on many boards. These include the Princeton University board of trustees, where he helped to found the Princeton Environmental Institute; and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work to protect America’s wilderness. Barron often speaks about “The Hero in Every Child” and “The Inspiration of Nature” at conventions, book events, universities, and community gatherings. But his favorite pastime remains hiking on mountain trails in Colorado with his wife, Currie, and their children.