The Magic Years: Understanding & Handling the Problems of Early Childhood is over 50 years old, yet this book still offers a wonderful way of looking at how kids think, & why they act the way they do based on their cognitive & emotional abilities. The Magic Years refers to the psychological sense of discovery & magical power a young child feels. This book is used in many child development courses, but is a good read for anybody wanting to understand the young child's mind as it grows, acquires knowledge & moves into more logical thought patterns. Selma Fraiberg's respect for children radiates from the pages. Take a little bit of time with this book; as Fraiberg says, "It is the quality of our understanding...that provides us with the right method at critical moments."