John Neufeld

TO PARENTS:                                                                          

I know this a hard lesson to learn, but today your children know more about everyday life and its problems and dangers than you did at their age. As a writer for your kids, I take my responsibility very seriously: what I try to do -- in addition to entertaining your kids -- is forewarn and forearm young readers so that when and if they do run into a series of problems they find overwhelming at first, they will know two very important things. First, they are not alone. And second, there are solutions to these problems. They may not necessarily be the ones I suggest in a story, but the important thing to a child is to know that problems can be surmounted and solved. And that often solving them is an adventure, whether full of laughs or full of struggle.

While we often read horrifying statistics about children as "victims" of one kind or another, I believe that most kids come through childhood and young adulthood in pretty good shape. Many children have a tendency to over-dramatize their lives, seeing in what they read their own stories. Often this is healthy; sometimes it's not.

My books are there for children who feel they need support and understanding of what is going on around them. But they are ALSO meant for children whose lives in no real way are reflected in these stories. While I often receive letters asking "how I knew about (him) or (her)...," more often than not I get letters from young readers who simply ask questions about what they've read.

I sincerely believe our children today enjoy reading as an activity --- along with sports and school and church and computer-wizardry.

It is my hope that you will trust your kids when they bring home a book. By all means, look into it and see whether you think it's suitable for them. But don't censor their enthusiasm.

I would be happy to hear your thoughts, if you have time to share them, at: jnbooks@sbcglobal.net