Recalls the historical evolution of computer poetry which evolves from experimentation to cultural entity. Places emphasis on the French evolution through its main expressions. Discusses the differences between the viewpoints of A.L.A.M.O. and L.A.I.R.E. (2 groups of writers). (PA)

Discusses historical fiction for children and young adults from a writer's point of view and equates it to a time machine into the past. Considers the books that influenced the writer; larger-than-life characters; story ideas; and research to really know and feel the setting. (LRW)

Describes from an author's point-of-view the new genre of first novels, or chapter books, which are books with fewer pictures and more words than easy-to-reads and are divided into chapters. An annotated bibliography of 21 suggested titles is included. (LRW)

Presents two interviews: one a conversation with illustrator and Caldecott Medal winner Mary Azarian (Illustrator of the 1999 Caldecott Medal book, "Snowflake Bentley"); and a conversation with author Louis Sachar, author of the 1999 Newbery Medal book, "Holes." (SR)

This article presents a brief biography of author Jon Scieszka, best known for his first published title, "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!" which has become a modern classic. The publication of this creative and inventive title led to the numerous fractured fairy tales published since its release in 1989. His books have received numerous…

This article presents a brief biography of Judith Viorst, best known for her children's picture books and poetry. Viorst's well-known and most unforgettable character Alexander was based on her youngest son. Alexander was featured by name in the title of three of Viorst's picture books. In fact, Viorst often has used her family life to provide…

This month's feature is Vicki Cobb's "I Face the Wind" (Illus. by Julia Gorton. HarperCollins, 2003) which introduces the wind's characteristics and actions through experiments and observations complemented with Gorton's creative illustrations. "I Face the Wind" was a 2004 Sibert Honor Book. The Sibert Award and Honor books are awarded annually to…

The study examines the various accomplishments and achievements of Dr. Anna Julia Cooper, a social activist-educator, scholar and an early model for African-American feminist theory. Cooper was a great public intellectual and teacher, as she highly attacked the prevalence of racism, sexism and poverty through her writings and by working with…

Morgenroth recognizes the isolation writers must endure, as well as the fickleness of the process by which words flow onto a page. She has found that, for her, every book emerges through a slightly different process. We can only conclude that whatever she does, works. The chapter of "Jude" that follows proves it.

Writer of children's books, Janet Wong is concerned about the number of children being unable to get the education and being left behind. Her books, which reflect her Asian heritage, have appeared on notables list and she was also honored with the IRA Celebrate Literacy Award, the Claremont Stone Center Recognition of Merit, the Penn State/Lee…

Tweens everywhere know Louis Sachar. Even if they haven't read about the quirky children and teachers of Wayside School, or blushed along with Bradley Chalkers after he was discovered in the girls' bathroom, they couldn't miss Sachar's 18th book, Holes. Published in 1998, the book earned a Newbery Medal in 1999 and landed on the silver screen in…

No one could argue the appeal for kids and adults alike of pop-up books. This article features two pop-up book author-artists, Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, whose books are in a league apart, with their stunning production values, well-written narratives, informative content and the sheer sophistication of the movable art. The two pioneered…

A discussion on creative writing's newly improved status in English departments and what its improved status can tell us about disciplinary matters as a whole is presented. There is a need to prepare creative writers not only for their careers as writers, but also for their careers as teachers of creative writing.

Janet Allen cares passionately about books and reading and that passion shines in her presentation. When she had her first foray into children's literature, it was expected that she would have a great deal to say to educators about writing and reading. In this article, an interview with the author is presented. Allen talks about how her experience…

Sonya Hartnett's "Thursday's Child" was published in Australia by Penguin Books in 2000. Editions are available in the UK (Walker Books, 2002), the USA (Candlewick, 2002), as well as in Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Denmark. In 2002, the book was awarded the "Guardian's" Children's Fiction Prize in the UK. Like Harper,…