Penguin Books Australia

Parlour Games for Modern Families sets out to revive the tradition of indoor family games. Its authors want you to push aside the consoles, turn off the telly, and bring some mental stimulation, silliness and laughter, joy and connection back into your living room.

This book is bursting with games of logic and memory, word play, card games, role play, and rough and tumble. Not a single game requires equipment that you won't find in your average home: a pack of cards, a dictionary, an hour glass, dice, paper and pen. You can play to your heart's content without wasting a single natural resource - except perhaps the delicious cheese straws, recipe found herein.

Games are organised thematically and are cross-referenced for age-appropriateness. All are set out with clear rules and instructions. There are games that will challenge and stimulate you and games that will have you in fits; games that can last all night and games to fill that empty half-hour before tea; games for adults and older children and games for your four-year-old's birthday party.

With Parlour Games for Modern Families, a book for fun-lovers 4 -104, the authors want to wind back the clock. They want to remind you of games you'd forgotten and then a whole lot more. Remember: there is always time enough for playing. So gather the family together; ask over some friends. Warm the milk for hot cocoa. Play Squeak Piggy Squeak and watch the good feeling spread; see it grow exponentially. Whether you dip into it as the urge takes you, or read it from cover to cover, a very good time is guaranteed.