Stores & Wiggs have skilfully crafted this edited text in what hitherto has been a woefully neglected area. Their concern, indeed affection, for their subject is palpable, and the contribution of 15 chapters from invited authors or research groups testifies to the high regard that the clinical academic community internationally has for them. This is the kind of book that practitioners want: quick reference can be made either to symptom or to disorder, and the reader can be assured of reliable material sifted by experts. That there are no fewer than 30 concise chapters in a little over 200 pages is impressive; that none of these is a ‘dud’ is remarkable.

Each of four central sections follows a similar pattern, illustrated here by the section on neurodevelopmental disorders: chapters on sleep and sleep disturbance in each of six syndromes (Down's, Prader—Willi, cranofacial, mucopolysaccharidosis, tuberous sclerosis, Rett) are followed by an editorial chapter which summarises sleep-related characteristics of an additional five disorders and provides key references on eight more. The same attention to detail can be found in sections on neurological disorders, non-neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders. My first reaction was that this approach must surely lead to an unhelpful combination of skimming the surface and needless repetition. However, this is not the case. The book opens with a series of chapters from the editors on general issues in assessment and management of sleep, permitting contributions thereafter to focus solely upon specific associations and behavioural phenotypes. The result is a lightly referenced, clinical introduction, in which the editors' experience shines through, complemented by a thoroughly referenced set of chapters that provide both academic and clinical sustenance.

My only criticism is that the book ends rather abruptly. More might have been made of the methodological and research agenda in this important area, although useful pointers are given. However, Stores & Wiggs do set out an educational framework for child health practitioners that provides those responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate curricula with the challenge of the 24-hour care perspective central to the well-being of people with disabilities and those who care for them. This work has all the hallmarks of becoming a standard textbook. It should be widely read and appreciated.