Toys - Tapa dura

Play is precious to children. It is a time for growing and learning or just having fun. The toys children play with tell us much about their lives. Many poorer children can't take them for granted. They may have to work, or fight a war, or they are refugees on the run. Yet even in the worst situations you find children making do with wonderfully improvised toys made from tin cans, wire or wood, whatever they can lay their hands on. This stunning book of photographs celebrates the joy of toys and playing for children the world over. Inspired by his own children, Julio Etchart travelled the globe and photographed children from China to South America, playing with eveything from cardboard boxes and string to Barbie dolls.

Julio Etchart is a freelance photojournalist covering national and world events for the British and international press. He was awarded the World Press Photo Foundation First Prize (Environment category) in 1993. Toys is the result of a long-term project documenting games around the world. Jeremy Seabrook has written more than thirty books. He has been a teacher, social worker and lecturer. He is the author of Children of Other Worlds (Pluto Press, 2002). Imme Dros is a children's author, translator and poet. Her work has been awarded many prizes