This 400-page volume has proved quite a difficult book to review. The ‘Health for all children’ books are a cornerstone of child health practice when considering broad populations of children. The publication of each edition is keenly awaited and goes on to influence both the organisation and prosecution of child health services throughout the UK and beyond. This revision of the fourth edition is due to the publication of several important documents concerning the health and welfare of children in the UK, namely the National service framework for children and Every child matters. Emerging data from SureStart programmes are also starting to shape the future direction of …