First published in 1987. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

We often see children engaging with media - playing videogames, trading Pokemon cards, or acting out superhero fantasies. But what do we know about children's self-directed play in the context of their media cultures? This book provides in-depth analyses of children's media-referenced play on two primary school playgrounds in different cities in the UK. Drawing on ethnographic accounts of children's media-referenced play in UK playgrounds, as well as historical documents and contemporary media products, this book sets out an in-depth analysis of the current state of children's playground experiences. The aim of the book is to provide in-depth case studies of several genres of children's play as well as making connections to broader theories. The analyses consider a wide range of concepts including learning, fantasy, communication and issues relating to identities. As such the book appeals to a large audience covering a variety of disciplines including folklore, media and cultural studies, education, sociology, and childhood studies.

Drawing on ethnographic accounts of children's media-referenced play, this book explores children's engagement with media cultures and playground experiences, analyzing a range of issues such as learning, fantasy, communication and identity.