"When I began writing, I didn't read any other children's poets... I didn't want to be influenced until I'd found my own voice. Now I read them all"

This quote by Jack Prelutsky speaks with the significance of discovering one's own voice as an author. When he first began writing, he chose not to read any other kids's poets in order to avoid being influenced by them. He wanted to find his own voice and design before being affected by the work of others. This is a testimony to the significance of developing one's own design and voice as an author. By avoiding the impact of others, he was able to find his own distinct design and voice. Now that he has actually discovered his own voice, he is able to check out the work of other kids's poets and gain from them. This quote speaks with the importance of establishing one's own design and voice as an author, and the importance of gaining from the work of others.