I was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, the younger son of Leo and Marie Roy, two
nice people who came to the United States from Canada. My brother
Bob is two years older than I, and he still lives in Connecticut.
I grew up in
the 1950s in a quiet town, much like Green Lawn, where Dink, Josh,
and Ruth Rose live in my series. My school was small, made of brick,
and housed all the sounds and smells and images you think of when
you think "little red schoolhouse." In that small building
I learned to read, write, and make friends.
On a typical
Saturday I would go to the movies with friends. For only a quarter
we could stay in the movie house half the day. For that twenty-five-cent
coin, I saw one cowboy movie, one Tarzan movie, and about ten cartoons.
Popcorn cost about ten cents (the other day I paid more than four
dollars for a box!).
My town was
safe, so my parents never had to worry about where I was or what
I was doing. I was a nature kid, so in my free time I often found
myself in the woods with a jar for catching creatures. I brought
home snakes, frogs, orphaned squirrels, turtlesóanything that would
let me catch it. Once at my house, the animals would be transferred
to cages made by my dad, with my not too skilled help. I would study
the animals for a few days, then release them to the wild again.
I learned a great deal about small wildlife in those days, and some
of these animals are featured in my books.
I also spent
a great deal of time reading when I was growing up. My house happened
to be located right across the street from the town library. Most
days after school I would stop there to get a few books. I didnít
care what I read, as long as it was exciting and filled with fascinating
characters. I read The Black Stallion by Walter Farley, then
went on to read the rest of the books in the Black Stallion series.
I also read mysteries, such as The Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown.
Iím convinced that Iím a writer today because I loved books as a
kid.
After high school,
I decided to join the Navy and traveled around the world. Next came
four years at the University of Connecticut, where I studied literature.
My courses introduced me to wonderful writers like E.B. White, Charles
Dickens, and Mark Twain. After reading novels and poetry and short
stories for four years I decided to become a teacher. I taught kids
from grades two through five. Sometime during those early years,
I discovered that I wanted to write. That decision changed my life
forever.
For the next
four years, I sat down to write every night (after teaching all
day), every weekend, and every vacation. I used a typewriter in
those days, and it was always clacking away. I sent my work out
to publishers and received hundreds of rejection slips in return.
But then one day, I received a letter from an editor who actually
wanted to publish one of my booksówhat a thrill! That book is called
A Thousand Pails Of Water. Itís a story about a young boy
who saves a stranded whale by keeping it wet.
I kept on writing,
and over the years I have sold more than forty books for children.
Eventually, I stopped teaching so that I could devote all my time
to writing. I miss seeing kids, though, so I make sure that I spend
part of my time visiting schools around the country. (My website
tells teachers how they can arrange for me to visit your school.)
I also encourage kids to write to me after theyíve read my books.
I feel so privileged
to be a writer of childrenís books. My job puts me in contact with
kids and allows me to travel all over the world. It also lets me
use my love for words every single day. Best of all, I get to meet
kids who also love to read. What more could a guy ask for?
Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Ron Roy
