Go Out and Play!

PreS Up—A comprehensive collection of more than 70 interactive games. Beginning with eight simple steps on how to facilitate children's play, the text introduces activities that will help kids develop critical, cognitive, social, and physical skills. Chapters are divided by types of games that are variations on familiar classics or contemporary adaptations of tag, hide-and-seek, games with balls, team games, sidewalk games, circle games, and races. Each game is clearly described in a few paragraphs; a panel at the bottom of the page shows the number of players; the intended age group; space needed; and any required materials, such as balls, bean bags, cones, and chalk. "Other Games" and "No Rule Games" include ideas for supplemental activities such "make-believe" and "dress-up." Informative steps are included for kids and their families to take to create safe and accessible play spaces in their own neighborhoods. Colored line drawings and full-color photographs of children in active play are sporadically placed throughout to entice and encourage youngsters to get out and play with one another. This top-notch compilation makes a great resource for children and their friends, as well as families and adults who work with youth.—Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR