Here we are beginning a new year; literacy work and the search for good materials goes on. In this issue we have a number of books that consider the geography, history, politics and social issues of Canada: Our Home and Native Land: Canada Geography, A Beginning Look at Canada, and Canada From Eh to Zed. We found three resources specifically about Canada. What a richness!

On the other hand, there is a remarkable book called The Children of China that looks at China in all its size and variety. For each issue of the Bulletin, we find ourselves considering some books specifically written for children. Besides The Children of China, we review Music of the Dolphins, a book telling of a girl, raised by dolphins, who becomes the subject of scientific study. It seems to me that there are more and more books for children that are not patronizing of children and therefore are also satisfying for adult readers. Do your students react when they see that it is a book for children? Some instructors feel it depends on the book and their presentation of it. Some instructors find they can simply put labels over any words indicating a grade or age level. We encourage you to discuss this question and let us know if you have strong feelings or insights.

This issue has no video and no software reviews. We certainly field-tested some but decided that they weren’t good enough to warrant space. Those of us with Internet and CD ROM drives spend a lot of time trying out sites and shareware, but not with much luck. When you add the expense involved with most CD ROM programs, very few are good enough to tell you about. This is an on-going struggle; if any of you have found good software or videos that we should review, we’d appreciate hearing from you. We have three guest reviewers this issue, two of them past committee members. Thank you to Kate Nonesuch, Iris Strong and Jan Sawyer.

We have had changes to the committee and say a reluctant goodbye to Lil McPhail and an eager hello to Rena Neufeld. This issue was proofread by Arleigh Trail and desktopped by Joanna Lord. Our thanks to you both.