How Children Develop has established itself as the topically organized textbook teachers and researchers trust for the most up-to-date perspectives on child and adolescent development. The authors, each a well-known scientist and educator—have earned that trust by introducing core concepts and impactful discoveries with an unparalleled integration of theory, cultural research, and applications, all in a style that is authoritative yet immediately understandable and relevant to students.

Psychology is a fascinating subject for me, and this book deals specifically with child psychology, which is even better. Actually, the only reason I bought this textbook was because I took a class in child psychology when I returned to college to get my teaching certificate. I decided to finish reading the book, meaning all the chapters not assigned in class, as it was such an interesting topic.

The text covers a range of issues that are key components in the growth and development of children. Chapters focus on subjects like cognitive development, conceptual development, intelligence and language, emotional and social development, moral development, infancy and prenatal development, and so on. It also has two bookend chapters to introduce and conclude the information included by looking at seven themes that apply to all of these subjects: nature versus nurture, continuity versus discontinuity, mechanisms of change, sociocultural context, the active child, individual differences, and research and children's welfare.

The synopsis sounds dry, but the reading is not. I enjoyed every chapter, with one small exception, which I will address later. The writing is accessible and easy to read, and the text is accompanied by photographs, charts, tables, and graphs which break up the reading. Also, a healthy amount of personal anecdotes bring life to the abstract theories, and the research that supports every topic is intriguing. The only time I slowed down and was a bit bored was in the conclusion, the last chapter, where the authors sum up the seven themes used throughout the book. The chapter was missing the research and photographs and tables, and felt like an extended summary. I was near the end of the book, though, so I slogged along; besides, it would feel strange if it ended with no wrap-up piece. Clearly, this book is important for people who work with children. It is also educational for parents who want to understand how their children are growing and how they can help to create ideal environments for them, and is a good choice for anyone who is interested in the working of the human mind, starting at the roots that are formed when we are children. ( )