Frame of
Reference

Jane Goldstein

This April 2 issue celebrates its ninth anniversary of the launch of The Looking Glass as an online journal focusing on literature for the children around the world. My assistant editor, Elizabeth L. Pandolfo Briggs, suggested dedicating this issue to Japanese literature for children in a planning session we had a few years back. As with any special issue, we sent out paper calls and then waited a bit anxiously to see what the email might bring! The submission topics for this issue were frankly not what we thought we would get, yet this issue has been a joy to watch as it came together. The articles are fascinating and the submissions included a wealth of opportunities to display what a website and technology can do to enhance the pleasure of exploring information about children's literature globally. Threads of information are woven as one discussion blends with the thoughts of following authors and sources and with wonderful color illustrations.

Elizabeth concludes her tenure as editor of "Alice's Academy" with this issue. She has built a strong tradition of referred articles and sources for future issues to build on. She has been someone I could count on to get the job done and to do it beautifully. I look forward to continuing using her expertise as assistant editor.

Elizabeth has been the "guest editor" for this issue and has had the major voice in the assembling of this edition. She will introduce "Alice's Academy" with some personal thoughts and then explain the articles which follow. Please note that in Helen Kilpatrick's article the plates appear in a highlighted color. They are pop-ups and can be seen by simply hitting the cursor on that area. (If you have blocked your pop-ups you may have a problem and may need to make some adjustments to view the wonderful pictures she has included.)

"Alice's Academy" is followed by our column called "Picture Window" edited by Katherine Shoemaker. Her guest contributor, Yukiko Tosa, has not only organized a wealth of information of picture books, she has also included a listing of websites which are valuable to anyone seeking help in finding more sources for Japanese literature, especially in languages other than Japanese and English.

In "Illuminating Texts" M. Elizabeth DeBlois tells readers how a simple act of sharing of the book Anne of Green Gables has led to a special relationship between children in Japan and the area of Prince Edward Island, Canada, which is the setting for the story.

Caroline Jones concludes her editorship of "The Mentor" with Lisa Miller's study of Philip Pullman's less-known book Clockwork—or All Wound Up. She will now begin as the new editor of "Alice's Academy". The issue ends with announcements and postings from a variety of sources in the last two columns.

Editorially yours,

Jane Goldstein

Volume 10, Issue 2 The Looking Glass 2 April, 2006

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