Sue Palmer, a former head teacher, has written many books, articles and TV programmes about literacy. While researching Toxic Childhood (Orion, 2006 and 2015) – her first book about child development in the modern world – she discovered the importance of early childhood care and education. Her subsequent involvement in many campaigns for children’s rights led to a listing in Who’s Who as a 'childhood campaigner'. Sue was Chair of the Scottish Play Commission, served on the Scottish Government’s Early Years Task Force and is now Chair of Upstart Scotland, a campaign for a play-based kindergarten stage for three- to seven-year-olds.