Examines preschoolers' pretend play in the context of a theory of improvisational performance genres. The text argues that the social skills gained from improvisation are linked to the child's developing ability to improvise with other creative performers.

First Published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"Sawyer's argument is that pretend-play interactions are an opportunity for children to develop the linguistic skills needed to establish a shared intersubjectivity....According to Sawyer, pretend play diminishes as children learn to carry on improvisational conversations....Researchers interested in any of these issues will find this book interesting."
—CHOICE

"Sawyer's clear demonstration of the role of pretence as a training ground for social skills is illuminating, and it is refreshing to have pretence discussed as a topic in its own right and not just as an epiphenomenon of developments in cognitive architecture. The depth and breadth of the book around a narrow focus is impressive."
—British Journal of Developmental Psychology

"Sawyer's contribution is not limited to offering a new conceptualization of pretend play. He brings to our attention a wide collection of important and relevant theories from which play research will benefit in the future. Finally, Sawyer's integration of quantitative and qualitative analyses is a valuable illustration of the improvisation somtimes required from a researcher of children's pretend play."
—Theory and Psychology