Evaluates the extent to which Smith's work adds to the theoretical and evidentiary basis for the role of playgrounds in children's education and development. Finds the basic construct of "risk" as presented in the book to be unfocused, and suggests that to make inferences from the work about the value of risk for children is premature. (HTH)

Reviews "Health Care Reform and Child Welfare" (DeWoody) on addressing the needs of abused and neglected children; and "Deadly Consequences" (Prothrow-Stith and Weissman) on the violence destroying the teenage population and ways to begin solving the problem. (HTH)

Reviews Varga's book on Canadian day care. Suggests that the work's linkage of ideas concerning scientific child study and ideologies about the child to changes in structure and practice of child care highlights the concerns of children, mothers, teachers, and administrators. Notes that the limitations of the book are its brevity and the nature of…

Looks at the dreams, anxieties, confusions, satisfactions, and aspirations of the many worlds of childhood and at the professional materials that can help teachers to reach those worlds. Reviews six resources for professional materials and four resources for instructional materials. (MG)

Reviews Kilbride's book on diversity and its consequences for young children, families, and caregivers; meeting children's needs; and practicing diversity in and shaping the future of early childhood education. Notes that the book's strengths include its standardized and consistent chapter format, its substance, and comprehensive scope. Suggests…

Focuses on the theme of safe and comforting places for children, and how libraries can help provide safe havens for children. Presents a survey of safe places in selected works of children's literature. Includes a sampler of creative activities focusing on the theme, and a list of resources (books and videotapes). (AEF)

Emphasizes that the Brazleton and Greenspan book focuses on the needs of children, not those of parents or service providers, spotlighting healthy maturation. Stresses recommendations for public policy, research, and clinical experiences. (SD)

Finds this work edited by Tobin to be scholarship from the "far left" of the early childhood field. Notes the depth of theoretical analysis in most of the book's chapters, however, and suggests that despite its shock value, the work may be useful in forcing the early childhood field to "think about what we're doing." (HTH)

Reviews Click's book, which explains the development of children during middle childhood; discusses the role of the many individuals involved in a child care facility; introduces developmentally appropriate practices and programs for cultural and linguistic diversity; and describes how to implement a variety of activities. Finds that despite…

Reviews two books for experienced teachers and administrators on national issues for care of infants and toddlers: "Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Violent Environments" (Osofsky and Fenichel, editors) and "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children" (Carnegie Corporation). (JW)

Compares and contrasts the issues presented in two books pertaining to child poverty, policy, and welfare reform: "The Welfare of Children" (Duncan Lindsey) and "Rethinking Child Welfare in Canada" (Brian Wharf, Editor). Both provide excellent analysis and recommendations but lack attention to tracking systems that place children in different…