Whether presenting their versions of real events or making up tales of adventure and discovery, children enchant us with their stories. But these tales are more than charming bits of imagination. They are genuine revelations into how children see themselves and their world.In The Stories Children Tell, Susan Engel explores what is really going on when a child tells, acts out, or writes a story, whether about real or imagined events. Using fascinating real-life examples, Engel examines: -- the different types of Stories children tell-- the different functions of storytelling-- the way the process changes as children develop-- the best way of nurturing a child's storytelling skillsand many more critical issues of this all-important developmental act.Throughout the narrative, Engel presents compelling evidence for what is perhaps her most intriguing idea: that in constructing stories, children are constructing themselves.The Stories Children Tell is a fascinating look at one of the most exciting areas of in modern psychology as well as a beautifully written introduction to a crucial part of growing up. Parents