Burns, Assaf (both George Mason U., Fairfax, Virginia), and Johnson's (U. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu) introductory core textbook discusses the complexities of the field and diversity of the children served by those who teach in early childhood education programs. Field tested in courses at George Mason U. and at an early childhood-university partnership for professional development in Washington, D.C., the text includes coverage of topics that have not typically been addressed in early childhood textbooks, such as family child care, employment and salary, dual-language learners, immigrant families, gay and lesbian families, teenage parents, children from abusive families, and children from low-income families, to better prepare beginning early childhood education students for the realities of working in this important field. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)