We're Friends, Right? Inside Kids' Culture.

WE'RE FRIENDS, RIGHT? Inside Kids' Culture. William A. Corsaro. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press, 2003. 248 pp. $22.95. In this lighthearted, thought-provoking book that examines the social world of children, sociologist and ethnographer William A. Corsaro shares profound insights from nearly 30 years of observing children in such settings as sandboxes, dramatic play areas, and lines outside the bathroom. Corsaro draws on his years of experiences in various locations, including private, middle-class preschools in California and Indiana, government-supported Head Start programs in Indiana, and public preschools in Bologna and Modena, Italy. Written for professionals and parents, this book offers detailed observations and persuasive explanations of the ways children learn to adjust to social situations and cope with the realities of childhood. Most notably, Corsaro suggests children are capable of negotiating remarkably well in their complex social world without adult interference.

Corsaro begins by describing his methods and techniques for entering the culture of kids. His respect for children is evident in his quest to capture the true essence of childhood. Corsaro weaves a colorful array of stories and examples as he examines topics ranging from social participation, sharing, and making friends to fantasy and pretend play, role-playing, and adjusting to adult rules. Within these topics, themes emerge through powerful illustrations that portray such examples as access strategies into social settings; fantasy play scenes of danger-rescue, lost-found, and death-rebirth; and strategies for delaying or avoiding cleaning up. Corsaro also compares cultural dynamics as he examines conflicts in childhood, as depicted through the all-too-familiar words, "You're not invited to my birthday party." The final chapter describes the settings of the preschools that Corsaro observed, paying particular attention to the early childhood programs of Northern Italy.

Finally, Corsaro pleas with readers to value childhood, advocate for children, and take seriously children's need for community. This book is delightful to read and is highly recommended to anyone who seeks to understand the social world of childhood in the most authentic way possible--through the voices of children.