In the thoroughly updated second edition of this unique book, Catherine McBride examines how the languages we know help structure the process of becoming literate. Taking an ecological and distinctively cross-cultural perspective, the book looks at reading and writing development and impairment across a range of languages, scripts, and contexts. The book covers issues including:

• The importance of phonological sensitivity for learning to read and to write
• The first units, or building blocks, of literacy learning in different scripts such as Chinese,...