Presents an interview with Richard Jackson, editor and publisher, now head of Richard Jackson Books. Explains how the editor got into the business, his own memories of childhood reading, how he views ambition, how he markets books, what he thinks of the current state of children's literature, and what he sees as the role of the editor. (TB)

Presents an interview with the vice president and publisher, and the marketing director, of the Walt Disney Company concerning plans for the company to enter the competitive field of children's book publishing. (RS)

Reviews recent publications that take seriously the role of illustrations in children's literature. Examines a range of issues related to illustration. Explores the elements of design, the style of illustration, illustrator studies or books that tell about illustrators' real lives, and the art of publishing. (TB)

Suggests that children's literature scholars have aided in the basalization of children's literature by being naive about what basals are. Argues that basals cannot be improved except as a means for helping children become more controlled readers. Argues that scholars must offer teachers alternate visions of education and how literature fits in…

Discusses how the world of children's literature has changed during the author's 42-year career as an author and illustrator. (SR)

Considers what ideology is reflected in the books that are available through Christian bookstores and Christian publishing houses. Discusses Christian fiction in general, liberation theology, and multiculturalism in literature. Offers an analysis of four books that are top sellers for their publishing house. (SG)

Speculates about the children's book world in the year 2000. Discusses trends in children's fiction, trends in children's nonfiction, interactive approaches to children's books, the continuing strength of picture books, and major influences on trends in children's books. (SR)

Discusses the reasons for publishing the picture book "Encounters," which tells of the fateful first meeting of Christopher Columbus and the Native Americans from the point of view of a boy raised in the Tanio culture. (RS)

Argues that reading is a creative act of the individual imagination. Notes that, instead of recognizing that reading requires children to make something new, to take a leap, writers of children's literature are often tempted to make reading easy. (RS)

Interviews David and Cecelia Diaz about David's work as an award-winning illustrator of children's books, their successful illustration/design business, and David's other artistic pursuits. Discusses his illustrating process and its evolution, and the impact of the Caldecott Award. (SR)

Explores racism in children's literature, via an exchange of letters between a fictional person and the author. Discusses the author's experiences over the past eight years as a writer and illustrator. (SR)

Presents a critique of recent trends and changes within the children's book publishing industry, especially nonliterary factors, tensions between commerce and culture, and the impact of mergers. Suggests that changes are dramatically altering the underlying culture of the publishing industry and radically altering the publishing people have come…

Presents reflections on the demise of this journal. Argues that in this capitalistic society, neither literary quality nor cultural authenticity are valued and the numbers of authors of color and high quality books that reflect the cultural diversity of our world continues to decrease. (SG)

Responds to an article in the same issue by Ken Goodman concerning the basalization of picture books. Notes that basals will continue to change as beliefs and knowledge about the reading process advances. Sees no reason for the assumption that some hold truth and that anyone who has not seen the light holds devious intentions. (RS)

Presents an interview with Peter Catalanotto, writer and illustrator of children's books. Discusses Catalanotto's process in writing and illustrating books, and Richard Jackson's influence on his work. Reflects on the role that libraries and books have played in his life and how those experiences have influenced his thinking in creating the cover…