David Wood, born on 21 February 1944, is a British playwright, actor, and director, considered one of the most prominent figures in children's theatre in the United Kingdom, where he is often called "the national children's dramatist." His career has been primarily dedicated to writing and directing productions for young audiences. He is best known for his acclaimed stage adaptations of celebrated children's books, including the works of Roald Dahl such as "The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant)" and "The Witches," and classics like Judith Kerr's "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" and Michelle Magorian's "Goodnight Mister Tom." Wood is also the author of original works, including "The Gingerbread Man." For his significant contribution to literature and drama for children, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004.