Professional Notes and Announcements

ChLA Announces New Phoenix Award

The Children's Literature Association, an international professional organization devoted to scholarship in the field of children's literature, has created a new Phoenix Award to be given to the author of a book written for children that has been deemed of high literary quality and which has passed the test of time. A book chosen to win the award will not have previously won a major literary award and must have proven itself to be noteworthy during the years since its publication.

To qualify, the book must have been originally published in English, and must have been published exactly twenty years prior to its winning the award. The book can be a retelling of another story or an anthology in the field; it need not be in print at the time of the award.

To nominate a book for the award write: Professor Alethea Helbig, Chair, Phoenix Award, 3640 Eli Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

The Phoenix Award is being designed by Trina Schart Hyman, an outstanding children's illustrator. The first award will be presented at the twelfth annual meeting of the Children's Literature Association, May 17-19, 1985.

Quarterly Announces New Editorial Policy

The Children's Literature Association Quarterly has adopted a new format and editorial policy. Beginning with the spring, 1986 issue, there will no longer be a distinction between "Special Sections" and "Refereed Articles." Instead, each issue will focus on a special topic. For 1986, submissions are invited in the following areas:

Spring: "The Art of the Children's Novel." We invite discussions of narrative theory in relation to children's fiction, considerations of what it is that makes specific books excellent, and general discussions of the unique characteristics of children's fiction.

Summer: "The Relationships Between Children's Literature and Society. " We invite discussions of all aspects of the effects of society and culture on children's literature and vice versa, including children's literature in relation to the teaching of reading, the sociocultural context of childhood as it affects children's literature, the relationships between publishing and children's literature, and the nature and purpose of realism in children's books.

Fall: "Folklore and Children's Literature." We invite discussions of the fairy tale in children's literature, of specific fairy tales in different versions, of the illustration of folk materials, and of children's folklore in relation to children's literature.

As topics for future issues of the Quarterly, we are considering discussions of fantasy, of children's literature and popular culture, and of teaching children's literature in the classroom, from nursery school through the university.

Submissions and inquiries about possible submissions for all issues in 1986 and beyond should be directed to the editor, Perry Nodelman; for the Special Sections scheduled for 1984 and 1985 to their editors, as listed on the inside back cover of the Quarterly.

NCTE Networking Committee

The Networking Committee of the Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English is compiling a directory of professionals in the field of children's literature. Librarians, teachers, writers, researchers, critics, speakers, reviewers, performers, storytellers, publishers, and others will be included. Persons who want to share their interests and abilities and are willing to complete a survey should send their names and addresses to: Alice K. Swinger, Chair, Networking Committee of the Children's Literature Assembly, c/o College of Education and Human Services, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435.

Lindenwood College National Conference

A national conference cosponsored by Lindenwood College and Book Lures, Inc. will be held at the Sheraton Westport Inn in St. Louis, Missouri, March 24-26, 1985. The conference theme is Nonfiction, Independent Study and the Gifted Child (K-12). Featured speakers include: Dr. George Betts, Dr. Anita Stafford, Jean Craighead George, George Shannon, Mary Watkins, Virginia Mealy, David Collins, Nancy Polette, Pat McKissack, Roger Hanson, and Paula Montgomery. For full information write: Nancy Polette, Education Department, Lindenwood College, St. Charles, MO 63301.

AJL Children's Book Awards

The Association of Jewish Libraries presented its 1983 Children's Book Awards to Barbara Pomerantz for Bubby, Me, and Memories...