Even as sociocultural diversity continues to grow in the U.S., many classrooms offer a one-size-fits-all curriculum in which assessment relies heavily on standardized tests. Rejecting the narrow viewing of young children solely as prospective students, the authors see them as "simultaneously players, learners, readers of the world and words, artists--among other identities." This volume gives us rich evidence of the role of stories (enacted and told), imaginative play, and writing in children's language learning.

Children, language, and literacy now : when children are diverse and practices are not -- Standardized language, standardized childhood -- Diverse language learners in diverse times : when the "norm" isn't English -- Play, story, and the imagination -- Written language in childhoods -- Assessing children's language and literacy : dilemmas in time -- Children with teachers : looking back and moving forward