Bloomsbury Publishing Plc of the UK, the adult, children’s, and reference book publisher, announced today that it has acquired Walker Publishing Company, Inc of the USA. Walker is a 45 year old New York based publisher of adult nonfiction and children’s books. The business operations of Walker and Bloomsbury USA will be combined although the book imprints of both companies will remain as separate divisions within the US company. Completion of the sale is expected to take place on Dec. 31.

Also some neat new features at The Purple Crayon, including:

The Purple Crayon Blog: Questions about Children’s Publishing Answered by a Children’s Book Editor, and Current Children’s Publishing Links;

Children’s Writers: Who Mentors Them Today? “Musings” for December 2004 by Margot Finke (part one of three). Check back in January for Finding The Perfect Critique Group and in February for Starting Your Own Critique Group.