Winner of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) Honorary Research Award, Koste is a major voice in the field of drama/theatre and human development. In this, a new edition of her classic work, Koste looks at children's dramatic play and its role in developing life skills as well as a sensitivity to art. She examines such elements as imitation of life, mastering reality, seriousness, solitude, and much more. While theoretically sound, this book offers the warm and humorous voice of someone who knows and has worked extensively with children watching them, listening to their voices, validating their play as play and as a means of dealing with life.