Once Upon a Toy

In the magical realm of children's play, toys and stories have a rich and complex relationship. In this collection, contributors analyze the many types of interplay between children's toys and narrative. Many of these essays explore how this relationship is portrayed in novels, films, and television programs. Others discuss how this relationship is shaped by broader historical and cultural narratives. Still other essays discuss how children create their own stories while playing with toys.

Taken together, the essays speak to the myriad ways that toys are represented in popular narratives and provide insights into the meanings that toys hold for children, adults and society.