A little explored area of childhood is that of the troubles and difficulties children experience simply by being children. Using adults' stories about being a child, such as not being believed, being left unprotected against monsters, and discovering that Santa Claus is not real, this book presents children as they live in the social worlds of adults and in social worlds of their own making. The book brings to life the "little trials of childhood" - anxieties and problems facing children which seem to escape the attention of adults.