A. E. van Vogt's theory of "unreality" explains in part how he has become so prolific in a literary genre--science fiction/science fantasy--which only recently has experienced a rise in popularity. His theory states that the science fictional sentence must have in it something that requires a contribution from the reader. If the author…

Recounts an interview with author Madeleine L'Engle. Includes her views on who comprises the audience for her books. Explores "Many Waters,""A Wrinkle in Time,""A Swiftly Tilting Planet," and other L'Engle works. (SG)

Relates the author's personal experiences growing up with and writing science fiction. Discusses symbols that work themselves out in the writing of science fiction. (PRA)

Explores what it feels like for a science fiction writer to have reality alone to hold the reader's interest. Discusses the author's novels "Interstellar Pig" and "Spirit Houses," the influence of the Thai culture on the second work, and the influence of the Thai culture on the author's ideas about fantasy and science fiction.…

This article reviews the development of the literature of science fiction and fantasy since the mid-19th century. Diversity of topics is a remarkable characteristic of this writing. An annotated reading list is included. (GC)

Discusses how the author blends oriental myth, fantasy, and science to produce unique science fiction. (PRA)

A general semantics perspective of science fiction writer A. E. van Vogt is presented in this paper. The first major section of the paper contains a biographical sketch of van Vogt and traces the influence of A. Korzybski's work on general semantics, "Science and Sanity," on his writing, while the second major section provides an…

Explores the author's experiences writing fantasy. Establishes the values of both science fiction and fantasy for the writer and the reader. Asserts that fantasy is not "escapist" and empowers a young reader against the day when real powers come into that reader's hands. (PRA)

Science fiction writers' perceptions of the "thinking machine" are examined through a review of Baum's Oz books, Heinlein's "Beyond This Horizon," science fiction magazine articles, and works about robots including Asimov's "I, Robot." The future of computers in science fiction is discussed and suggested readings are listed. (MBR)

This collection of 40 articles and essays on English-language children's literature encompasses literary history and criticism, standards, changing tastes, the child's response to books, writers and their writing, illustration, and recent books. Most of the articles and essays were written in the 1960's, but a few important earlier contributions…

This collection of 12 critical essays--written for teachers, librarians, students, and parents--comments on the style, characterization, sense of wonder, and sense of reality in children's books. Specific subjects covered are (1) the fantasy worlds of Andersen, Beatrix Potter, Walter de la Mare, C. S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and J. R. R. Tolkien;…

Library literature is replete with articles envisioning libraries in the year 2000 and beyond, yet the librarian is rarely discussed. There is recent evidence that the traditional stereotype image of the librarian is changing. The purpose of this study is to examine the image of librarians in science fiction and fantasy novels and video tapes.…

Considers the similarities between science fiction writing and young adult literature, and points out that several well-known authors, such as Robert Heinlein and Jane Yolen, write in both genres. (NKA)

Noting that books for children must be just as entertaining, if not more so, than television or film in order to maintain young readers' attention, this paper discusses combining entertainment with didacticism in children's and adolescent literature. The first part of the paper offers a writer's reflections on the experience of writing science…