The papers collected in this reader place child health at the centre of health-care practice and policy making. Their selection and compilation reflect: a strong theory base with an emphasis on research and quality issues; a focus on teamwork and partnership in care, spanning the home, the hospital, the community and the workplace; a strong social policy focus, including national and international health and nursing policy issues; an emphasis on health promotion, health protection and care in the community; and identification of innovative new directions in child health thinking, promotion and care. The reader supports a professional training course towards the award of a Diploma in Child Health Nursing. The focus is, however, interdisciplinary, as is the practice of child care. It is therefore intended as a source of reference and a learning aid for health care workers, social workers, teachers, youth leaders and health-service policy makers.