Former preschool teachers Harlan and Ruth Hansen are board members of the Naples Allliance for Children in Naples, Florida, consultants for Head Start programs, and presenters at workshops on early childhood around the country. Developed through a grant from a Naples-area foundation, their text offers an historical overview of preschool literacy and then lays out a literacy program for new and experienced early childhood educators to promote positive literacy growth in the preschool setting. The text includes discussion, tips, and reproducible materials for several topics--assessment, classroom essentials to support literacy throughout the day, using music in literacy development, and strategies for connecting with families--as well as detailed plans for 28 lesson activities. No subject index. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Harlan S. Hansen, PhD, is a professor emeritus in elementary education and early childhood education at the University of Minnesota. He is a board member for the Naples Alliance for Children in Naples, Florida. Ruth M. Hansen, PhD, worked as the director of curriculum and staff development for the St. Louis Park School District in Minnesota. She is a board member for the Naples Alliance for Children in Naples, Florida.