Introduction. The forms of work with readers’ creativity in pre-revolutionary children’s publications were not very diverse – the children’s literary and art magazine “Galchonok” (1911–1913) became an exception in this regard, providing readers with the opportunity to participate in the magazine’s creative projects. The purpose of the study is to analyze the editorial strategy of the Galchonok journal in terms of working with children's creativity. Innovative forms and principles of organizing and activating the creative activity of readers are examined, and the features of the communicative behavior of the editorial staff are simultaneously identified.
Materials and methods. The contents of the “Mailbox” section have been analyzed. Conclusions about the creative attitudes of the editors are made on the basis of essays about art published in the magazine, articles and notes with practical creative advice. The forms of publication of readers’ works, creative competitions and joint projects, as well as editorial comments to them, are considered in detail.
Result and Discussion. Public feedback on the works sent by readers and the playful communicative behavior of the editors contributed to the formation on the pages of “Galchonok” of a cross-cutting narrative dedicated to the creative activity of readers. It was extrapolated to other materials of the magazine, ensuring the interaction of fictional plots with appeals to the real activity of readers. At the same time, the organization of this activity was based not only on competitions for the best works, but also on projects in which the works of readers were given formality and conceptualization of a collective work.
Conclusion. The participation of readers in the creation of magazine materials led to the formation of a specific creative environment based on the principles of communication and play. The findings can add to the consideration of the continuity between the pre-revolutionary and Soviet stages of the development of children’s journalism in terms of interaction with the creativity of readers.
