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.

Preface to the Revised Edition , Introduction: Deep Structures in Modern Children's Fiction , Loneliness, Dreaming and Discovery: Tom's Midnight Garden , Narnia: An Imaginary Land as Container of Moral and Emotional Adventure , Magic Wishes and the Self-Explorations of Children: Five Children and It , The Life of Dolls: Rumer Godden's Understanding of Children's Imaginative Play , The Maternal Capacities of a Small Boy: The Indian in the Cupboard , Animals in Reality and Fantasy: Two Stories by Philippa Pearce , The Poetic Power of Ordinary Speech: E. B. White's Children's Stories , Who Believes in 'Borrowers'? , Making Out in America: The Mouse and His Child , Inner Implications of Extended Traumas: Carrie's War , Finding Oneself Among Strangers: Three Stories by Paula Fox , Conclusion: Explorations of Loss , Postscript: The Inner World of Harry Potter