By MICHAEL ERB

Staff Writer

The Parkersburg News

www.newsandsentinel.com

PARKERSBURG - As gamers get older and the hobby evolves, the question becomes one of how to introduce the games we love to a new generation of players.

But there also are adults out there who are themselves unfamiliar with roleplaying. Creating imaginary worlds and then rolling dice to determine outcomes can seem strange and daunting to newcomers, especially when you are trying to teach others how to play.

"Roleplaying With Kids" by Technomancer Press helps bridge that gap, with solid advice for adults familiar with and new to roleplaying games on how to introduce and enjoy RPGs with children of all ages. Written by Sandy Antunes, Mike Holmes, Sam Chupp and others, "Roleplaying With Kids" is a guidebook for parents by parents that takes away some of the mystery surrounding this style of gaming.

The book takes readers briefly through the concepts of character creation, storytelling and game play. Though not specific for any one rules system or genre of game, the book does a good job of giving a solid overview of roleplaying games and what makes them fun and challenging.

It also tailors advice to different age groups, such as how gaming with teens is and should be a different experience than a game with pre-schoolers. The authors pepper the more academic sections of the book with practical advice and examples from their own experiences, and the book never seems to lose its focus or purpose, which is to help adults and children get excited about playing games together.

The authors also address some of the moral concerns many parents feel when it comes to their children and these kinds of games. Character death, violence, magic and evil are all touched upon from a parentás point of view. There is never a moment where the authors say "Don't worry about this" and discounts a concern out of hand. Instead the writers give suggestions on how to address these questions, ways to work with or around a potential problem and why these moral dilemmas ultimately can be great teaching aides in raising a child and young adult.

To be honest, this was probably my favorite part of "Roleplaying With Kids" because it addressed head-on many of the anti-roleplaying game arguments I've heard throughout my life. Because these topics are written about in a frank and honest voice, I believe many adults would find themselves more at ease with roleplaying games if they took the time to read these chapters. And unlike with a video game, where you play what the creators have given you, the authors of "Roleplaying With Kids" are quick to point out that most if not all pen-and-paper games can be tailored to your tastes and needs while still providing an excellent experience.

The end chapters of the book give a lot of practical suggestions on how to choose a game, where to purchase them and links to other sources of information and inspiration. The authors also include two sample roleplaying games, both of which are actually fun and interesting. One is a live-action game called "Six Stones" where players take on the roles of iconic fantasy characters, and the other, "Shadows," is a more traditional pen-and-paper style game where players war with their own ill-mannered shadows. Both would be very easy to learn and play with both children and adults, and are a good starting point for those wanting to try a roleplaying game, but not yet wanting to go out and buy one.

The only possible drawback to the book is its appearance. To keep the cost down Technomancer Press opted to go with a style that could best be described as "1980s college lab manual." The book is softcover with a bright orange cover, simple black artwork and an interior laid out in columns. It is easy to read, but not visually appealing, and its cheaper look may cause some people to pass it over or discount its content.

That would be a mistake, however. This book should be in every library, both public and personal. Though specific to roleplaying games, the lessons and tips contained within are valuable to any parent or person who spends time with or works with children. Ultimately "Roleplaying With Kids" is a guide to fostering imagination while having fun with children and teaching them life lessons they will enjoy, remember and eventually pass on to their own children. In the end, I just canát say enough good things about this book. Check it out.

For more information on "Roleplaying With Kids" or other Technomancer Press products, visit www.technomancer-press.com, and for more game reviews and discussion, visit my blog at http://merb101.livejournal.com.

Contact Michael Erb at merb101@gmail.com