Jonathan Cott interviews six masters of the medium: Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), a gifted writer and illustrator who, as one critic put it, "sees the world as boys and girls see it and takes their side instinctively"; Maurice Sendak, whose fantasy stories help children exorcise their fears and frustrations; William Steig, a creator of fairy tales populated by crazy talking animals; Astrid Lindgren, a Swedish author whose books about the adventures of Pippi Longstocking affirm imagination; Chinua Achebe, an African writer whose stories deal with roots; and P.L. Travers, the English author of the Mary Poppins tales. The seventh chapter focuses on the work of Iona and Peter Opie, two explorers of children's lore, games and language. The enthusiasm Cott brings to these interviews is captivating. The result is a treasure-trove of delightful and enchanting observations and quotations.