People often ask me how long it takes to write my books. I answer that each book takes about a year to write, and about thirty years to gather the materials to write about. If I wanted to be even more accurate, I?d probably say sixty years, because getting the confidence to write a book took the love and unconditional support from my family of birth and the family I made: it took encouragement from my loving friends and the enthusiastic response from the teachers at the schools and the participants at the national and international workshops I have given. Especially, it took the lessons I got from my main teachers: the children who have played all of these games with me. They have had a harsh but honest approach that lets me know which games work and which don?t. They either respond with excitement or they just wander away. The games in this book have been well field-tested and only the most successful ones made the grade. My books are also always inspired by my wonderful daughters. They have been my creative assistants at international workshops, my first readers, my game players,my emotional support, and my friends. I?ll never stop appreciating the presence (and present) of Marissa, Roxanne, and Jessica. For my dear friend Jenny Slack who gave me love and clear thoughts during the rewriting phase, and my good pal and colleague Patty Staal who enthusiastically plays these games with me at the schools, I also give thanks.