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Vivian Gussin Paley
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The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter Paperback – September 1, 1991

by Vivian Gussin Paley (Author), Robert Coles (Foreword)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 122 ratings
See all formats and editions
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How does a teacher begin to appreciate and tap the rich creative resources of the fantasy world of children? What social functions do story playing and storytelling serve in the preschool classroom? And how can the child who is trapped in private fantasies be brought into the richly imaginative social play that surrounds him?

The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter focuses on the challenge posed by the isolated child to teachers and classmates alike in the unique community of the classroom. It is the dramatic story of Jason―the loner and outsider―and of his ultimate triumph and homecoming into the society of his classmates. As we follow Jason’s struggle, we see that the classroom is indeed the crucible within which the young discover themselves and learn to confront new problems in their daily experience.

Vivian Paley recreates the stage upon which children emerge as natural and ingenious storytellers. She supplements these real-life vignettes with brilliant insights into the teaching process, offering detailed discussions about control, authority, and the misuse of punishment in the preschool classroom. She shows a more effective and natural dynamic of limit-setting that emerges in the control children exert over their own fantasies. And here for the first time the author introduces a triumvirate of teachers (Paley herself and two apprentices) who reflect on the meaning of events unfolding before them.

Review

“A tour de force… Years from now we may know the fruit of the trees Vivian Paley and her associates have planted. It will be easy, then, to recognize her former students. When asked to recall their kindergarten experiences, they surely will begin with the words, ‘Once upon a time…’”―Thomas J. Cottle, Chicago Tribune

“The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter is, among other things, an original essay on the practice of teaching young children… Vivian Paley’s innovation is her use of children’s stories as a vehicle of instruction… Paley is an artist whose medium is children in the classroom. The end product of her year’s work is a group of children who can live comfortably with themselves and with one another. This group of children will soon scatter. But each child will always carry a bit of Vivian Paley along with him or her, and that is the way in which a gifted teacher’s art lives on.”―David Elkind, New York Times Book Review

“For those interested in…the education of the spirit, this is finally a heartening and challenging book.”―Geoff Fox, Times Educational Supplement

“There are many funny moments…[and] an attractive humility in Paley’s work… Anyone who was once a child, and especially those who were once helicopters, will enjoy it.”―David Perkins, Kansas City Star

“Humanity, wisdom, and understanding are the words that come to mind when reading Paley’s latest book. She offers a view into the world of children that is respectful of their strengths and complexity… This book shines with an authenticity that comes from the voice of the teacher, not the observer… [It] should be required reading for all those working with children of any age. They and other readers will find it an absorbing and enlightening experience.”―S. Sugarman, Choice

About the Author

Vivian Gussin Paley (1929–2019), a longtime classroom teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, was a MacArthur Fellow and winner of the 1998 American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    163 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harvard University Press
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 1991
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0674080319
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0674080317
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press; Revised ed. edition (September 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 163 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674080319
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674080317
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

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Vivian Gussin Paley

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Vivian Gussin Paley worked for nearly forty years as a preschool and kinder-garten teacher and is the author of thirteen books about young children, including, most recently, A Child's Work: The Importance of Fantasy Play.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
122 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

luv2shopinnyc
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read book for parents, educators, and anyone working with children!!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014
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2 people found this helpful
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W.F.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story of the natural healing power of children's storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2013
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4 people found this helpful
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Rebecca York
4.0 out of 5 stars CJ's Review
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
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Jacob L. Dreier
5.0 out of 5 stars TEaching as an art
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2013
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K. M. Winick-Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2019
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Janohhh
5.0 out of 5 stars Great shape
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019
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Tammy Sneed
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! Every educator needs to read this book ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2016
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prickly sistah
4.0 out of 5 stars the boy who would be a helicopter
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2011
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Top reviews from other countries

Mike Daley
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2018
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H. R. Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars A very inspiring read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2013
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karolina
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read Shows you how important story telling is Especially ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2015
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Clur
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2014
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