It is appropriate, but sad, that this edition of DSQ forms a memorial to David Pfeiffer. It was his vision that prompted our symposium on Disability Culture in Children's Literature and his encouragement and patience that sustained us in the long process of turning ideas into print. We hope this collection is a fitting tribute to him.

Our aim is to present a range of perspectives on the status of disability portrayals in the expanding world of children's literature for scholars in both children's literature and disability studies. Contributors to this symposium teach, study in universities or write children's books, but we have also included papers by independent scholars who have developed an expertise about disability in children's literature through applying their own experiences to the informal study of children's books, and a Forum section of short papers. We hope that these voices will stimulate a wider debate and a deeper understanding of the relationship between portrayals of disability and social attitudes that will enable scholars in both disciplines to broaden and validate future studies. An email discussion group for further debate on the papers presented here is available on http://www.topica.com/lists/dcl.

Finally, we would like to thank the many friends and supporters whose valuable advice and co-operation has helped to create this collection.