From the
Editor's Desk

By Jane Goldstein

This is an issue that has, from the news of Sheila Egoff's passing in May, almost written itself. Judi Saltman connected us to Orca Book Publishers and Sheila's editor there, Maggie DeVries. Judi also made us aware of our column editor Kathie Shoemaker's relationship with Sheila in her last years. Similarly, Caroline Jones made us aware of Teya Rosenburg's attraction to the work of Sheila Egoff. I have been touched by the enthusiastic, bright students we have worked with from the University of British Columbia who were introduced to us by Judi. Beth Graham, our copy editor, cheerfully took on the extra articles. Anna Heida Palsodottir, of Reykjavik, Iceland, graciously donated some layout ideas and the graphic for our new masthead. The authors scheduled to appear in "Alice's Academy", Colleen Booker and Annette Wannamaker, graciously agreed to postpone the publication of their articles to our January 2006 issue. Only two regular features appear in this issue. "The Mentor" and "Picture Window" contain work by people at the University of British Columbia and connect to the special emphasis of this issue. It is an honour, to use the Canadian spelling, for The Looking Glass to dedicate this issue to the memory of Sheila Egoff. The contents reflect the voices and thoughts of those touched by Sheila in various ways.

To start, here is a little information about the institution that was dear to Sheila Egoff's heart. The University of British Columbia has a long history of formal study of children's literature. Sheila Egoff became the first tenured, full-time professor of children's literature and library services for children in Canada when she joined UBC's School of Librarianship in 1962. By the time of her retirement in 1983, five graduate courses were offered in children's literature and librarianship.

After Judith Saltman replaced Sheila Egoff, the School, now named the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, expanded its graduate program in children's literature and services within the Master of Library and Information Studies Program.

The study of children's literature at UBC is unique in its support across two faculties and four departments, as well as strong library and special collections resources. The Departments of English, Language and Literacy Education, Theatre, Film and Creative Writing, and the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies offer courses in children's literature from different disciplinary perspectives. Since 1999 the four departments have jointly offered a multidisciplinary Master of Arts in Children's Literature Program, administered by SLAIS.

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"Editorial "
© Jane Goldstein, 2005.
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