A number of factors converged to prompt this volume at this particular time. For several years, supervisors in predoctoral and internship programs have noted the need for a compendium of selected articles to illustrate the range of research and practice of pediatric psychology. Although the field is still relatively young, the many new pediatric psychologists in recent years might benefit from a perspective on the history and development of the psychological concepts, the organizational home in the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Section V of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the Ameri can Psychological Association), and its publication archive, Journalof Pe diatric Psychology. Such "classics" help capture the richness and excitement that portrays the field. Noting the continuing need for resources to serve the specialty, the Ex ecutive Committee of the Society of Pediatric Psychologyauthorized the spon sorship of publication of the HandbookofPediatric Psychology (Routh, 1988) as a synthesis of the field by expert chapter authors. The Society then ap pointed a committee led by C. Eugene Walker and Annette M. La Greca to develop a series of biennial volumes entitled Advancesin Pediatric Psychology. A number of discussions among the editorial board of the Journal and with Plenum Publishing Corporation, the Journal's publisher, recognized the value of articles carefully selected to exemplify how pediatric psychology is done.