Derek Kassem is Principal Lecturer/ Deputy Centre Leader in the Centre for Education Studies and Primary Education at Liverpool John Moores University, with responsibility for both Early Childhood Studies and Education Studies.

Lisa Murphy is Principal Lecturer/ Deputy Centre Leader with responsibility for Primary Education within the Centre for Education Studies and Primary Education at Liverpool John Moores University.

Elizabeth Taylor is Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.

Part 1: Creating Childhood 1. The Origins of Childhood: In the Beginning... John Clarke 2. Construction of Childhood: The Building Blocks Shirley J Pressler 3. Race, Racism and Mixed Heritage: A Mixed Life Derek Kassem Part 2: The Developing Child 4. The Psychology of the Child: Mind Games Diahann Gallard 5. The Development of Speech and Language: Inborn or Bred Lisa Murphy 6. Childhood Sexuality: Coming of Age John Clarke Part 3: Children and Risk 7. Children and the Notion of Risk: The Nanny State? Andrew Kennedy 8. The Child and Protection: Not Seen, Not Heard Lynne Kendal 9. Life as a Looked-after Child: The Parent of Last Resort Derek Kassem 10. Healthy in Body, Healthy in Mind John Harrison Part 4: The Politics of Childhood 11. The Social Construction of Deviant Identities: The Devil Wears a Hoodie John Robinson 12. The Testing Regime of Childhood: Up Against the Wall Terry Wrigley 13. The Rights of the Child: Rightfully Mine! Heather Montgomery 14. Childhood and Youth Poverty in the UK: The Have-Nots Diane Grant Part 5: The Global Child 15. The Palestinian Experience: Brutalized Childhoods Samir Qouta 16. Childhood in the Context of HIV/AIDS: The Death of Childhood Gabriella Torstensson 17. Moving for a Better Life: To Go or to Starve Sam Punch