The Looking Glass: New Perspectives on Children's Books is an electronic journal about children's literature. The site was launched April 2, 1997 -- International Children's Book Day. As our name suggests, we combine an interest in the traditional with an eye to the modern. Our readers and contributors are academics, librarians, teachers, parents and anyone else fascinated by the world of children's literature.

This journal is published by a small group of volunteers. Our expertise includes writing, editing, teaching, publishing, librarianship -- various aspects of the children's book trade. In the beginning, our parent organization was the Toronto Centre for the Study of Children's Literature (TCSCL), then housed at the Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, now at York University. Since 1 July 1998, however, The Looking Glass has been independent of any institutional support.

The Staff (in alphabetical order)

Allen Briggs, technical advisor and publisher, is a software developer for Wasabi Systems Inc., and owner/operator of Ninth Wonder in Blacksburg, Virginia. He's also a long-time contributor to the open source operating system called NetBSD and a voracious reader.

Annette Goldsmith is founding and former editor of The Looking Glass. Currently she is a children's librarian in Tallahassee, Florida. She also teaches an online graduate course, "The Information Needs of Children" at the Florida State University School of Information Studies.

Jane Goldstein, general editor, is a columnist and independent researcher living in Maryland. Her special interest is the literature the global child, particularly that of the displaced and of the expatriated child.

Beth Graham, editorial consultant, was formerly a children's librarian in California. She currently works as a proofreader at Quarry Integrated Communications, a marketing firm in Waterloo, Ontario (www.quarry.com), and volunteers in areas related to children's literature and early literacy.

The Editors (in alphabetical order)

Michelle Ann Abate is an Assistant Professor of English at Hollins University, a small women's college in Virginia, where she teaches courses in American women's writing, film, children's literature and LGBTQ studies. In addition, Michelle is also a faculty member in the M.A./M.F.A. Program in Children's Literature, and is affiliated faculty with both the women's studies department and the Master's in Liberal Studies Program. Her most recent publications are on Louisa May Alcott, E. D. E. N. Southworth, Zona Gale and William Faulkner.

Ruth Allen trained as a librarian and worked in public libraries for over 20 years. In 1990 she left Hampshire County Libraries to devote more time to the used bookselling business she and her partner had started -- to fund their book-buying habit! -- some ten years earlier. Since then her partner's "retirement" has meant that he is the [almost] full-time bookdealer, and this has enabled Ruth to gain her MA in Regional and Local History and Archaeology, and in 1998 publish a book: Children's Book Prizes, an evaluation and history of major awards for children's books in the English-speaking world. This is soon to be brought out by a new publisher, Pied Piper Publishing, in a revised edition, with information and lists on even more awards -- and with a new title, Winning Books. One of Ruth's other interests is the work of Elsie J. Oxenham, and she has a complete collection of the nearly 90 titles written by EJO. Until recently the Editor of the Abbey Chronicle -- the thrice-yearly newsletter of the EJO Society, Ruth now is Membership Secretary for the Society, which still keeps her in touch with members, but takes a little less of her time...!

Debra Angel received her Master's in Children's Literature from Hollins University. She has been involved in the publishing field for over twelve years and currently works as an editor in the Los Angeles area.

Jeffrey Canton is a freelance journalist who spends much of his time with his head in a book trying to keep up with what's best and brightest. As well as being a regular contributor to Children's Book News, Quill and Quire, The National Post, Chapters Bookstore and Reader's Showcase, he is the children's book editor for Books in Canada magazine and a founding member of TVOntario's More to Life Book Club.

Caroline E. Jones is assistant professor of English at Texas State University-San Marcos, where she teaches courses in children?s literature and writing. She completed her M.A. in English at Hollins College, specializing in children's literature, and received her Ph.D in English Studies from Illinois State University, also with a focus on children's literature. She lives in Austin, Texas, with two people, a cat, and four turtles.

Evelyn Perry was born and raised in Newton, MA, received her B.A. and M.A. in English at Simmons College in Boston and her Ph.D. in English from the University of Rhode Island.

In addition to scholarly publications in Journal of American Folklore, Children's Folklore Review, The ALAN Review, Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults, Medieval Folklore, Robin Hood in Popular Culture (edited by Thomas Hahn), and Harry Potter Academically Speaking (edited by Cynthia Hallett), Evelyn Perry's creative work has appeared in Sahara, Sophie's Wind, Pine Island Journal of New England Poetry, Salt Hill, Kicking and Screaming, Scrivener's Pen, Artisan, King Log, Gumball Poetry, Berkshire Review, Cortland Review, Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, Friends Journal, the Knight Literary Journal and in anthology and chapbook form (I Keep a Sledgehammer Handy is available through Angel Fish Press).

Evelyn Perry has received awards for excellence in teaching and contributions to her discipline from Framingham State College, for fiction writing from the North Kingstown Arts Council and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and for poetry from the Academy of American Poets and Salt Hill. She teaches writing and literature at Framingham State College in Framingham, MA and lives in Worcester, MA with her husband, 2 dogs, 1 cat, a few thirsty plants and several well-fed spiders.

Kathryn E. Shoemaker is the illustrator of thirty-four books for children, among them A Telling Time, My Animal Friends and Floyd Flamigo and His Flock of Friends for Tradewind Books and Jenny's Neighbours for Annick. She is the author of four of her published books, including the best selling, Creative Christmas. As well she has illustrated hundreds of educational materials, cards, posters and calendars and has broad experience as an art teacher, curriculum specialist, filmmaker and fundraiser. Ms. Shoemaker holds a B.A. Magna Cum Laude and is currently working on a Masters Degree in Children's Literature at the University of British Columbia. She teaches illustration at several post secondary schools, has broad experience as a teacher, curriculum specialist, filmmaker, and fundraiser and serves on several non-profit boards.

The Cook loves s erving up a fine kettle of fish, along with a helping of tongue in cheek, and finds inspiration in the pages of her favourite children's books -- Hansel and Gretel notwithstanding. After all, children are for reading to -- not eating!

The MaD hAtTeR is a bon vivant and literary man about town who has been poking his nose into the lives of literati everywhere for longer than he cares to think about. As well as writing Spyglass, the MaD hAtTeR runs a modest hat shop somewhere in Megapolitan Toronto.

The Editorial Board (in alphabetical order)

Adele Fasick is Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, a consultant in San Francisco, and an adjunct instructor at the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University.

Jeffrey Garrett is Humanities Bibliographer and Lecturer in German at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and immediate past editor of Bookbird: World of Children's Books.

Daniel D. Hade is Professor, College of Education, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Lissa Paul is Professor, Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. Lissa's book Reading Otherways, is published by the Thimble Press. Her expertise is in feminist theory and children's literature. Her work is included in The Routledge Interational Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. She also publishes in Signal and The Horn Book.

Judith Saltman is Professor, School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Geoff Williams is Senior Lecturer in English, Department of English, University of Sydney, Australia.

What We Do

Regular departments include a variety of columns, editorial, acrostic, gossip and discussion sections, as well as refereed academic contributions.

Alice's Academy, our refereed section, hosts scholarly articles of interest to specialists and non-specialists alike. Contact Caroline Jones.

The Caucus-Race is a collection of announcements and Internet sites of interest to those in children's literature. (The column takes its name from the random yet connected game to which the Dodo introduces Alice.) We provide links to these sites, so the reader can race about madly and then (virtually) collapse. (Guest Columnists)

Curiouser and Curiouser is a look at folktales and at their many innovative retellings. Contact Evelyn Perry.

A Distant Mirror is a look at children's literature from the UK. Contact Ruth Allen.

Frame of Reference is our editorial. Sometimes it functions as a guide to the current issue, rather like a chatty table of contents. Other times it expresses editorial thoughts on the subject of the day. Contact Jane Goldstein.

Illuminating Texts features guests authors and illustrators talking about their own work. Contact The Editor.

The Print Shop is our column on children's book publishing and book reviews of all kinds. Contact Debra Angel.

ykcowrebbaJ considers the subtle art of translation in children's books, be it in terms of language, style, or format. Guest columnist.

LG Acrostic offers both novices and aficionados the chance to test their knowledge of children's literature while enjoying a good puzzle. Guest columnist.

LG Lore is a passionate reader's personal response to Canadian children's literature classics, old and new. Guest columnists needn't be Canadian -- just eager to share their enthusiasm for their favourite Canadian children's books. Contact Jeffrey Canton.

Emerging Scholars and New Voices is our scholarly forum for students. It provides an opportunity for professors to encourage students to prepare articles for journal publication. Contact Michelle A. Abate.

Mirrors and Windows is both inward- and outward-looking in its approach to children's literature. It is open to a wide range of subjects and views. It also has a forum discussion, guided by the editor, to explore ongoing discussions of these provocative topics. Contact The Editor.

The Monitor lists paper calls for The Looking Glass and other children's literature journals.

Picture Window examines the many facets of children's book illustration and design. Contact Kathryn E. Shoemaker.

Pig and Pepper explores the connection between food and books for children and young adults, accompanied by the occasional recipe. If you have a favourite book that features food, or an idea related to books and food you yourself would like to serve up, the kitchen is always open. Contact The Cook.

Spyglass shares gossipy tidbits about children's book people, current or historical. Anecdotes should be benign in nature. Contact The MaD hAtTeR.

How to Find Us

Subscription inquiries should be sent to the Publisher. All other inquiries, including submissions and letters to the editor, should be sent to Jane Goldstein.

How to Support Us

This journal exists thanks to the efforts of many volunteers. If you like what you see in The Looking Glass, please consider contributing towards our expenses; inquiries regarding donations may be made to The Editor.