Children are wonderful conversatinnalists

not only because they say the unexpected, but

because they also say the most entertaining and

scandalous things. David Heller, a psychologist

who taught at Harvard, has an uncanny ability to

get children to talk--to gab and philosophize

with a freedom they rarely display around adults.

With the assistance o f several public school sys-

tems, Dr. Heller was able to sit down and talk with

hundreds of children between the ages of four and

ten. He found that children wanted to share their

ideas about everyday life. As long as a listener was

willing to respect their views and did not interfere

when they became playtul, the budding philoso-

pher and comedian emerged from each child--

ready to unlock a hidden treasure of original ideas

if the right questions were asked.

Dr. Heller focused on six basic subjects: mar-

riage and dating, parenthood, tbod, worldly pos-

sessions, work, and the trials and tribulations of

growing up itself. The result is a book brimming

with perceptive wisdom as well as laugh-out-loud

humor, a book filled with startling insights about

our everyday lives that show just how much chil-

dren know as well as with endearing misconcep-

tions that are touching in their innocence.

While this book is a celebration of the lively and

fun-loving spirit of children, it also inspires adults

in a personal way It will reawaken the child in

each of us that loves to laugh and to poke fun, and

that envisions life as a glorious playground upon

which we can cut loose and be ourselves.