Recounts a conversation with children's poet and author Eve Merriam. Provides a list of her children's books and poetry on cassette. (MM)

Discusses the social responsibility of children's authors. Concludes that each author's social responsibility is to give children the gift of language. (MM)

Describes how writer and artist Chris Raschka creates children's books that transcend their silent, static medium to skip and sing their way into the hearts of children. Discusses Raschka's background as an artist and writer, as well as a bit of history about his "seemingly simple" style. (SR)

Offers a retrospective look at the life and works of the brilliant, expressive children's author and artist John Steptoe. Discusses influences in his work and his important contributions to the world of children's literature. (SR)

Considers who should be responsible for the content of children's books, focusing on the parts that writers, parents, and society should take in this responsibility. Concludes that all parties must try to influence children through education, but that children's literature should not be a weapon for promoting any one version of reality. (MM)

Describes the process of writing a screenplay from the book "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and the collaboration involved in working with the directors for the production. Talks about the creative process of enlarging the scope but leaving the story intact. (MG)

Suggests that the author's novels will never be politically correct--they will always run the risk of offending someone. Suggests that her characters and their stories will invite disappointment, or even disapproval, from readers who look to fiction to support a point of view rather than to mirror human experience. (RS)

Interviews Brian Pinkney, award-winning writer and illustrator of over 20 children's books. Discusses: how his illustrative process in working with scratchboard has evolved over the years; the writing process; the illustrating process; and his collaborations with his author/wife, Andrea Davis Pinkney. (SR)

Explores Katherine Paterson's novels and her ability as a writer to plumb the mythic depths of everyday experience. Discusses the heroic journeys of her characters. (MG)

Probes Lloyd Alexander's thoughts about his own writing habits and processes; his reflections on his various books and characters; the state of children's publishing today; and fan mail he receives. (RAE)

Presents an interview with award-winning children's author Lois Lowry, who reflects upon her career as a writer and shares insights about some of her favorite characters, including Anastasia. Considers also the many controversies that have surrounded "The Giver." (SR)

Attempts to clarify the processes the author utilized when plotting the writing of a children's book. (MS)

Examines (1) what authors of historical fiction have said in writing about the teaching function of historical fiction; (2) perspectives on history; (3) issues of authenticity; and (4) the sociopolitical implications of this genre. (SR)

Compares responses of readers (both children and adults) of Maurice Sendak's "trilogy" ("Where the Wild Things Are,""In the Night Kitchen," and "Outside over There") to Sendak's own explanation of his intent. Suggests that Sendak offers an original, fresh, and magical expression that immediately reaches many…

Presents an interview with Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of the children's novel, "Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind." Discusses Staples' creative writing process, background, and the writer's role as cultural observer. (HB)