COMMENTARY: Influential Books

Here are some of the key books that informed and influenced how I think about early childhood work and the Early Childhood Movement. These are the books I brought to my office in Omaha and, two weeks ago, after retiring, brought back to Chicago for my shelves at home.

The books are not in any particular order for the photo, but it’s fitting that “From Neurons to Neighborhoods” is at the foundation of this stack. This definitive study — for the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council — was edited by Dr. Jack Shonkoff and Dr. Deborah Phillips. Published in 2000, this book and new brain imaging scans showing the importance of healthy brain development turbocharged the early childhood field as the 21st Century was just beginning.

“Connecting to Change the World” — Madeleine Taylor and her colleagues opened my eyes to the power and potential of building strong social impact networks.

Businessman and philanthropists Irving B. Harris was ahead of his time in many ways. When “Children in Jeopardy” was published in 1996, I was working at Voices for Illinois Children. Within another year I went to work for Ounce of Prevention Fund, which Mr. Harris had co-founded.

“Beacon of Hope: The Promise of Early Head Start for America’s Youngest Children” was edited by Dr. Joan Lombardi and Mary M. Bogle. Published in 2004, this book still lights the path forward when it comes to ensuring a better start for every young child.

“For Our Babies: Ending the Invisible Neglect of America’s Infants” is another powerful testament to increasing public investments in prenatal care and the earliest days, weeks, months and years of life. Written by Dr. J. Ronald Lally, this book was published in 2013.

The next two books aren’t about early childhood but they greatly shaped my thinking on social movements and how early childhood programs (and K-12 education for that matter) welcome — or fail to welcome — families. “Love on Trial,” by Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, tells the story of their Supreme Court fight for the Right to Marry. Part love story, part legal story about the Marriage Equality Movement, Kris and Sandy’s story offers many lessons for propelling the Early Childhood Movement. “Setting the Table” is by restaurateur Danny Meyer. It might seem like an odd choice to spark imaginative thoughts about early childhood but read the book’s subtitle: “The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business.” I’m convinced hospitality also offers transformative powers in early childhood and all education settings. Coincidentally, Danny Meyer is Irving Harris’ grandson!

Last but not least — “Giving Kids a Fair Chance: A Strategy that Works” features Nobel Prize winning economist Dr. James Heckman arguing for greater investments in early childhood. The slim book also features responses to Dr. Heckman by Geoffrey Canada, Carol Dweck, Charles Murray and others.

This isn’t a complete list of books that shaped my thinking but it’s a great start. What books influenced your thinking?