Richard L. Stein didn't set out to write children's stories in his "mature years," but he won't deny he enjoys it. "I'm still going to write heavier, adult-provocative material," he proclaims, but to date he remains in the world of the elementary child.. He has several middle school manuscripts in the works and from there he plans to move to more philosophical short stories and essays. Still the young kid in him has a strong pull, and so, he continues to answer it. While he tends to publish works for the young reader, his background is mostly at the high school level of English, speech, and theater arts. He finished his "official" educational career in the area of curriculum design and coordination. While so engaged, he created many co-curricular activities for students of varying interest. One language arts activity proved to be the impetus for his present writing and school appearances along with his primary illustrator, Mary Coons. Together, they have presented in Montessori schools all the way to the post-graduate institutes. Mr. Stein has chaired and chaired numerous young author's contests and award conventions. From his reading thousands of student proffered writings, he has a keen sense of student interests and capabilities.