"Language Development: The Essential Readings" provides students with a selection of the key articles by key researchers in this core area of developmental psychology. Articles from leading researchers are both introduced and contextualized by the editors and suggestions for further reading are made to give students a starting point for exploration of the key topics in language development. The broad range of topics covered should also be an ideal source of reference for students of linguistics. The book should be used in conjunction with a general introduction to child development, or more specifically alongside or instead of a more specific language development textbook.