Berk, L.E. (2001). Awakening children's minds: How parents and teachers can make a difference. New York: Oxford University Press. Written for parents and teachers of young children, this book provides an overview of current theories of child development, straightforward advice for child rearing, and suggestions for concrete practice. Moreover, the author stresses the importance of parents and teachers in the development of competent, caring, and well-adjusted children.

Neuman, S. B., Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2001). Learning to read and write: Developmentally appropriate practice for young children. Washington, DC: National Association of Young Children. Firmly grounded in empirical research, this book presents developmentally appropriate practice for fostering early literacy development in young children. Also included are guidelines and suggestions for ensuring that all children learn to read and write by the end of the third grade.

Roskos, K. A., & Christie, J. F. (Eds.). (2000). Play and literacy in early childhood: Research for multiple perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Explores the relationship between play and literacy by drawing on research from cognitive, ecological, and cultural perspectives. Also accompanying each chapter is a critical review of research by leading scholars in the field of child development.