Recounts the author's writing of "Owl Moon," an award-winning children's book. (MM)

Presents an interview with Julienne Coleman discussing her memories of homeschooling, her protectiveness of her younger brother, her very first book "Bubbles," and her writing process. (SG)

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)

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)

Suggests methods of using literature to help students select and develop topics, write drafts, confer about their writing, revise, edit, and publish their work. Concludes that students can learn a great deal about writing processes through reading and discussing children's literature. (RAE/JAD)

Describes the process of writing the picture book "Encounter," 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)

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)

Presents an interview with James Cross Giblin. Discusses how writing non-fiction books for children aged 8 to 12 gives him the opportunity to pursue his research interests, meet interesting and stimulating experts in various fields, and share his enthusiasm with a young audience. (SG)

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

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)

Describes the genesis of three children's books to illustrate how the author borrows from the traditions of others to write her children's tales. (SR)

Suggests that nonfiction, in the world of books for children and adolescents, has been far too narrowly (and too negatively) defined. Describes the author's nonfiction writing as "creative nonfiction" and demonstrates how she incorporates real life experiences, intensive personal reflection, and intensive research in her books. (SR)

Discusses 10 books as resources for teachers and educators--books that focus on the creative processes of authors and illustrators (providing insights into literature), and books that offer readers a behind-the-scenes look at how some well-loved books originated. (SR)