This collection of readings contains articles by Marie Clay about children and the early years of schooling. Each chapter discusses basic assumptions about literacy teaching, challenging teachers to think about:* Literacy awareness as it develops before and after the transition to school* The power of writing for children in literacy encounters* Conversation as a tool for improving teaching interactions.This book provides an invaluable centrepiece for a workshop, or the background reading for several group discussions, or an opportunity for practising teachers to bring their experience face to face with a text that challenges.