It provides some excellent insights into cross-cultural perspectives of childhood. -- Ewan Ingleby, Teeside University This is a very useful book to prompt discussion and enhance knowledge on the perspectives of childhood globally. I especially liked the extra section on critical thinking at the beginning. -- Julie Rose, Stockton Riverside College The information in the book was easy to access and relevant to today's societies and cultures. -- Juliet Reid, Amersham & Wycombe College

This up to date text is suitable for students on all early years courses that include a module on global childhoods. Taking an ecological approach, it examines how culture and society shape childhoods through considering the lived experiences of children internationally. It begins by questioning the meaning of childhood and explores the historical, cultural and social views of childhood and children, including the roles of race, class and gender. It considers families and parenting from a global perspective and progresses to examine the relationship between the state and children by evaluating international approaches to education, health and welfare and the ways inequalities between the minority and majority world impact on children. The role of research on and with children in informing these debates is fully explored. Most importantly the reader is challenged to reflect on how global perspectives can be used to support an understanding of inclusion and diversity in their practice.