If a wealthy philanthropist wanted to improve the care delivered to children at a stroke he might consider sending a copy of Recent advances in paediatrics to every paediatrician; better still, he might accompany each with a letter purporting to come from the Archivesasking them to review it, thus ensuring that it would be read! As in previous editions, Professor David has managed to assemble a remarkably broad selection of topics and authors, striking a careful balance between science and clinical practice, between neonatal, general, and community areas, and between international themes and UK relevance. The diverse authors mostly produce an accessible and readable style, the illustrations are clear, and particularly …