Hero on Horseback

Children are curious, their minds open and flexible. A child is eager to enjoy new adventures. Anyone choosing to write for young readers faces an exciting challenge and a great responsibility. He must remember that his words and ideas may have a lasting effect on his reader's imagination, personality, even his entire character. Young readers deserve the best in reading. The writing philosophy of the late David R. Collins (1940-2001) is reflected in his contributions to children's literature. Since 1967, his stories, articles, books, and poems have appeared across the country. When I write for young readers I attempt to apply a 'double E' standard to my work, said Collins. I hope to entertain and educate. I want my young readers to enjoy the experience of reading and take something away from it too, even if it's just one new word or one different idea. To read is to grow, to appreciate life. A writer for children should open new roads of understanding for his readers. Collins' writing reflected a wide variety of interests and styles. Collins wrote over sixty books for young readers and was an admired and respected educator. Believing that children can never have enough role models, Collins was dedicated to writing biographies for young readers to educate and entertain. Why did I decide to write for children? Probably because some of my best childhood adventures were discovered in books, Collins explained. I owe a tremendous debt to the realm of children's literature. The wealth of Collins' work supplied generations of children with many adventures, and will continue to do so even though he is gone.