This is a user-friendly professional book with a structure and format intended to make its content accessible to the reader. It is aimed at a professional market of practitioners working in early years librarianship. According to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), ‘Museums, libraries and archives are uniquely placed to support families and early years children. They are based in the community and offer accessible learning opportunities that particularly support inter-generational groups’ (MLA website). The generic message is that reading with young children is important and this book introduces the context in which early years language and literacy development occurs, looking at various UK government initiatives that underpin literacy. The book includes practical guidance on setting up library services for pre-school children and their parents and carers. The key role of the early years professional and the importance of effective interdisciplinary teamwork are examined, with a focus on involving parents and carers and valuing their culture, language, heritage and community. Library planning and design for pre-school children is covered, and practical advice to the librarian on how to negotiate with architects is provided. Collection development for both children and their parents and carers is considered, with practical guidance on selecting and using resources.

Case studies and scenarios are included throughout to tell the stories of a number of pre-school library initiatives, drawn from UK and international sources. They provide examples of good practice and show that the key issues have an international dimension. Examples are provided from Wakefield Local Authority in West Yorkshire and Blackburn with Darwen Borough, where embedding libraries for young children and their families in Sure Start children's centres has been pioneered. These have proved to be extremely successful in promoting family involvement in early reading. We are aware of many other successful ventures, and although some early years librarians do publish details of their programmes and activities the information is not always easy to find. Other local authority programmes are presented, as are a range of national and international initiatives.