Early Childhood Research and Practice (ECRP), a peer-reviewed, Internet-only journal sponsored by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE), covers topics related to the development, care, and education of children from birth to approximately age 8. This issue of ECRP contains the following major articles: (1) "Examining Multicultural Picture Books for the Early Childhood Classroom: Possibilities and Pitfalls" (Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese); (2) "Starting School: Effective Transitions" (Sue Dockett and Bob Perry); (3) "Professional Growth Reconceptualized: Early Childhood Staff Searching for Meaning" (Alma Fleet and Catherine Patterson); (4) "The Synthesis of Writing Workshop and Hypermedia-Authoring: Grades 1-4" (Michael Seth Mott and Jeannine M. Klomes); (5) "Building Equitable Staff-Parent Communication in Early Childhood Settings: An Australian Case Study" (Patrick Hughes and Glenda MacNaughton); and (6) "Purposeful Learning: A Study of Water" (Becky Dixon). The issue concludes with an ERIC database search on multicultural education and children's picture books and a description of new ERIC/EECE publications and activities. (LPP)