About Dr. Debra Collins
How did I get here?
When I was 10 years old, I promised myself that I would remember what it was like to be a kid.
As a tween and teen, I searched for the lights that would guide me and my friends through the stormy seas of adolescent emotions. I found myself advocating for the underdogs.
As a day-camp counselor, I learned that the most annoying kid in my group was the one who was most hungry for connection.
I do not want any child to feel defeated. As a school psychologist, I identified the obstacles to a child's academic or social progress and pitched in to develop action plans.
I coached children to label a hurdle as "challenging" rather than "hard," to view it not as something stopping them, but as a clue to the next skill they'd learn to master.
On my "Psychology Publications" page, you'll find materials I wrote for adults interested in promoting children's capabilities for self-regulation. In the process of developing these materials, I studied yoga, receiving the name "Danti," which is Sanskrit for "Patience."
Since 2020 I have studied picture-book writing, participating in multiple courses, workshops, and critique groups. I've won Honorable Mentions in several contests, and First Prize Picture Book in the 2023 Florida SCBWI Rising Kite context. I began my "Spotlights" blog, wherein I discuss picture books with strong social-emotional learning themes. These posts also appear on the "Blogfish" put out by Children's Book Academy.
My debut picture book, SCAT, CAT! A Mitzvah Story is forthcoming
from Kar-Ben in 2027.
I look forward to announcing others that presently are in the works.
My manuscripts reflect the children I’ve assisted, my New York/Jewish background (especially tales from my Dad's Brooklyn boyhood) and my quirky sense of humor.
Welcome! I'm happy you're here!
- Debra Collins
When I was 10 years old, I promised myself that I would remember what it was like to be a kid.
As a tween and teen, I searched for the lights that would guide me and my friends through the stormy seas of adolescent emotions. I found myself advocating for the underdogs.
As a day-camp counselor, I learned that the most annoying kid in my group was the one who was most hungry for connection.
I do not want any child to feel defeated. As a school psychologist, I identified the obstacles to a child's academic or social progress and pitched in to develop action plans.
I coached children to label a hurdle as "challenging" rather than "hard," to view it not as something stopping them, but as a clue to the next skill they'd learn to master.
On my "Psychology Publications" page, you'll find materials I wrote for adults interested in promoting children's capabilities for self-regulation. In the process of developing these materials, I studied yoga, receiving the name "Danti," which is Sanskrit for "Patience."
Since 2020 I have studied picture-book writing, participating in multiple courses, workshops, and critique groups. I've won Honorable Mentions in several contests, and First Prize Picture Book in the 2023 Florida SCBWI Rising Kite context. I began my "Spotlights" blog, wherein I discuss picture books with strong social-emotional learning themes. These posts also appear on the "Blogfish" put out by Children's Book Academy.
My debut picture book, SCAT, CAT! A Mitzvah Story is forthcoming
from Kar-Ben in 2027.
I look forward to announcing others that presently are in the works.
My manuscripts reflect the children I’ve assisted, my New York/Jewish background (especially tales from my Dad's Brooklyn boyhood) and my quirky sense of humor.
Welcome! I'm happy you're here!
- Debra Collins
Represented by Jen Newens, Senior Literary Manager/ MLM