The authors succeed in bringing a deep sociological and psychoanalytic close reading to some of the finest writing for children in post-war Britain and America. Focussed primarily on the 'fantasy genre of stories' the authors identify and sensitively explore the themes of imaginative and emotional growth, language and play, love and loss.

An important and perceptive contribution to the study of children's literature, this welcome reissue includes a new postscript exploring in detail the phenomenal success of J.K.Rowling's series of Harry Potter stories.