This book is a new edition of the 2006 book "Play to Learn: building literacy skills in the early years" previously published by Education Services Australia. This new edition aims to provide updated information on pretend play and narrative. There are 45 play activities that can be used in the classroom to support children's development and understanding of story and narratives. Some of the 45 play activities have templates or proformas to support their use. The board game "Tell me a story" has a new board, which is included in a back pocket of the book. The introduction gives an overview of links between pretend play and narrative or storytelling. The book then has three sections, each section with its own play activities. Section 1 is using play to extend oral language, narrative ability and use of symbols. Play activities in this section explore characters and roles, practice in planning and predicting what will happen in a story, practice in communicating with others about problem solving and use of symbols in play. Section 2 focusses on extending narrative and oral language. Play activities are provided for teaching narrative structure and facilitating imaginative play. Section 3 is making up stories. In this section only part of a story is given. Stories have problems to solve, require an ending or have lots of possibilities. Illustrations are provided for some of the stories in Section 3, which may assist younger children to attend to the story. In this new edition the illustrations are by a young, up and coming artist, Charlotte Peachey. This new addition has an increased number of provided templates or proformas, allowing a greater range of story options.