"Henry Wellman offers a compelling narrative of how children construct an increasingly elaborate theory of the human mind. Children use that theory to make sense of what people say, do, think and feel. It helps children to communicate, make friends, collaborate, play games, and empathize--and it gives them a way to think about a variety of other minds: the minds of imaginary playmates, fictional characters, animals, robots, and even supernatural agents, such as God. A pioneer in the field, with impeccable research credentials, Wellman has written an accessible account of one of the most fertile and enduring research programs in developmental psychology." --Paul L. Harris, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Education, Harvard University "Henry Wellman is the world's leading authority on children's 'theory of mind'-the way that we come to understand the minds of others. It is a topic that is increasingly central in developmental and clinical psychology and in neuroscience, and is equally important to parents and teachers. This comprehensive, clear, and very accessible and readable book provides the best possible introduction to the field. But it also includes fascinating and exciting new ideas about the frontiers of the research, from robots to religion." --Alison Gopnik, Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley "Most people think that psychologists read minds but what Henry Wellman demonstrates is that this is a natural ability we all possess from an early age. Peppered with fascinating examples from the lab and the real world, Reading Minds is a journey of wonder into this field of human development. Who better to guide us than one of leading experts who has mapped so much of the terrain." --Bruce Hood, Professor of Psychology, University of Bristol