In Review
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The aim of this column is to bring to the attention of ChLA members articles of interest from major American, British and Canadian periodicals devoted to children's literature. Initially, the column will list the journals monitored together with a brief description of their content.
Phaedrus: A journal of children's literature research. James Fraser, Editor. Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940. Published twice yearly by Phaedrus Inc., 14 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. 02108. Sub. $9.00 per year, U.S.A., $10.00 elsewhere. Current issue - Vol. III, No. 1 (Spring 1976). In the introductory comments in Vol. I, No. 1, Dr. Fraser states: "The purpose of this newsletter is to call attention to this (children's literature) research for those whose professional concerns are directed toward theoretical inquiry into the media environment of the child and the adolescent." The latest, issue of Phaedrus contains reports on periodical literature, recent bibliographies, catalogs, and studies from Australia, Europe, and the United States. It also furnishes a list of selected dissertations and a survey of Research Collections of Children's Literature in New England Libraries among other items of interest. This periodical is a must for anyone involved in children's literature research.
Signal: Approaches to children's books. Nancy Chambers, Editor. Published by The Thimble Press, Lockwood, Station Road, South Woodchester, Glos. GL5 5EQ. Three issues annually. Sub. $5.00 U.S. ($10.50 air mail). Current issue No. 20 (May 1976). Signal features include critical essays on various aspects of children's literature: author studies, critical booklists, detailed reviews of major critical books, reprints of nineteenth and early twentieth century essay, as well as John Donovan's column, Amercan Dispatch. An important source of critical opinions.
The junior bookshelf: A review of children's books. Editor, Marsh Hall, Thurstonland, Huddersfield HD4 6XB, England. Sub. Inland 11.50, Overseas, L1. 70. Six issues annually. Current issue - Vol. 40, No. 4 (August 1976). Founded in 1936, The Junior Bookshelf's format resembles that of Hornbook, though it is less ambitious. It contains one short essay, occasional notices, and reviews of new books. Categories include: Books for Librarians (and other adults interested in children's literature), Picture Books, For Children Under Ten, For Children From Ten to Fourteen, and For the Intermediate Library. Excellent short reviews.
Growing point: Margery Fisher's regular review of books for the growing families of the English reading world and for parents, teachers, librarians, and other guardians. Editor and publisher, "Margery Fisher, Ashton Manor, Northampton NN7 2JL, England. Nine issues yearly. Sub. $5.00 U. S. Current issue, Vol. 15, No. 2 (July 1976). Mrs. Fisher's excellent little magazine features a special review of an outstanding new book, followed by grouped reviews and, as occasion warrants, reviews of adult books dealing with childhood and children's literature. Mrs. Fisher, author of the recently published Who's Who in Children's Books (Holt, Rinehart & Winston), does all the reviewing herself with the exception of an occasional guest article. Though Growing Point is limited to reviews only, they are perceptive, mini-essays in literary criticism.
TLS - Times literary supplement - Children's book insets. Published four times annually. The insets may be subscribed to separately from the main paper. Sub. U.S. c. $2.00. Next issue, October 1. TLS Subscription Manager, The Times, P. 0. Box No. 7, New Printing House Square, Gray's Inn Road, London WC IX 8EZ. Another excellent source of longer reviews as well as regular and brief reviews. The lead article offers detailed discussion of significant children's literature studies and the works of specific authors.
Children' s literature in education Michael Raggett, Editor. Published four times a year. Sub. APS Publications, Inc., 150 Fifth Avenue, New York 10011. Individual, $12.00, Institutions, $15.00. Current issue, No. 21 (Summer 1976). Originating out of papers presented at the August 1969 conference at St. Luke's College, Exeter, this journal is one of the comparatively few which offer detailed critical studies of children's literature. Originally British in origin, the journal expanded its staff to include two American members beginning with the twelfth issue "to provide an American perspective on children's...
