From the Editor — February 2026

by Cynthia K. Ritter
Feb 18, 2026 | Filed in Newsletters

The other night at dinner our younger son brought up what he was learning about WWII in school, and we got on the subject of history repeating itself…and how that’s why it’s important to learn from history. Here at the Horn Book, we advocate learning from history all year round. Our Black History Month coverage continues throughout February, and with Women’s History Month beginning in March, we recommend stories about famous and lesser-taught figures from history and the present (including a teacher herself in this issue’s section “Women in the arts”) who have made or are making a positive difference.

From the February 2026 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

Cynthia K. Ritter
Cynthia K. Ritter

Cynthia K. Ritter is managing editor of The Horn Book, Inc. She earned a master's degree in children's literature from Simmons University. She served on the 2019 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award committee.

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