To examine literacy instruction in light of recent research and practice, this journal issue presents five articles focusing on the creation of a literate society where people appreciate literature and can use reading and writing to enrich their lives. The first article, "Literacy Instruction: An Alternative" (A. S. Bayer), presents an alternative to the traditional approach of teaching reading and writing as isolated skills and advocates instead starting with "real" or meaningful situations like reading or writing stories. The second article, "Of Scarecrows and Avalanches: Looking at Children's Writing" (S. Wilde) analyzes discussions with children about their writing, while the third article, "Conferencing: Writing as a Collaborative Activity" (J. M. Newman), advocates the use of writing conferences as a means of helping children (and adults) examine and revise their own writing. The fourth article, "Literary Analysis: Help Children Take the Plunge with Picture Storybooks" (C. S. Chang), proposes that elementary school children are capable literary critics. The final article, "What Place Pleasure in the Reading Systems?" (S. L. Root, Jr.) expresses concern over the extent to which basal readers use good literature to teach isolated skills, thereby destroying any pleasure derived from reading good literature. (SKC)