An innovative new approach to fostering emotional growth -- from birth to adolescence -- through storytellingOnce Upon a Family shows readers of Jim Trelease, Daniel Goleman, William Bennett, and Mary Pipher how to create a more spontaneous and rewarding family dynamic -- one that cuts through sterile precepts -- and "coaching" to engage a child's emerging emotions through the world of the imagination and build family closeness.Here's a wealth of guidance on how to use both traditional tales and your own family stories to spark communication and help your kids cope with fear, anger, loss, competition, and intimacy. At the heart of each chapter, perfect for reading aloud, are stories from many cultures -- from Chinese to Tuscan to the Brothers Grimm -- that highlight familiar emotional challenges. "Family time" activities invite parents and children to actively participate -- relating the characters' dilemmas to their own experience -- in everyday intimate conversation and play. "Parent's Path" Exercises help parents uncover natural creative abilities in themselves. Resources such as listings of children's literature, videos and Internet links help parents steer their children toward rich, creative, realistic, and caring lives.