Semiotics of Toys and Games

Theo van Leeuwen is Professor of Language and Communication at the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.Staffan Selander is Professor Emeritus in Education/Didactic Science at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden.

• List of FiguresForeword 1. A Social Semiotic Approach to Toys as Resources for Learning 2. Baby Toys: The Alphabet of Objects 3. Teddy Bears: Affect in the Private and the Public Sphere 4. Small Worlds: The Imaginary Power of Miniatures 5. Barbie: Feminist Icon or Fashion Doll? 6. Building Toys: Elements of Construction and their Meaning 7. War Toys: Masculinity and the Politics of Warfare 8. Digitizing Children’s Stories: The Pedagogization of Enchantment 9. The Rules of Games and the Rules of Social Life 10. Conclusion: The Semiosphere of Toys and Games Appendix: A Guide to the Semiotic Analysis of Objects References Index

Although not an advanced theory kind of book, its concrete explanations, descriptions, and direct qualitative study methods create an inspiring and idea-generating read for future critical work in marketing, branding, mediatization, social change, and education.