Paul Tough’s previous book, How Children Succeed, spent more than a year on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists and was translated into 27 lan­guages. He is a contributing writ­er to the New York Times Magazine and a reg­ular contributor to the public-radio programme This American Life. You can learn more about his work at paultough.com and follow him on Twitter: @paultough.

Around the world, countries are embracing early-childhood projects, opening snazzy centres and dispatching home visitors. But too many projects are of poor quality. Mr Tough shows that it need not be this way.

Paul Tough’s previous book, How Children Succeed, spent more than a year on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists and was translated into 27 lan­guages. He is a contributing writ­er to the New York Times Magazine and a reg­ular contributor to the public-radio programme This American Life. You can learn more about his work at paultough.com and follow him on Twitter: @paultough.

Around the world, countries are embracing early-childhood projects, opening snazzy centres and dispatching home visitors. But too many projects are of poor quality. Mr Tough shows that it need not be this way.

Paul Tough’s previous book, How Children Succeed, spent more than a year on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists and was translated into 27 lan­guages. He is a contributing writ­er to the New York Times Magazine and a reg­ular contributor to the public-radio programme This American Life. You can learn more about his work at paultough.com and follow him on Twitter: @paultough.

Around the world, countries are embracing early-childhood projects, opening snazzy centres and dispatching home visitors. But too many projects are of poor quality. Mr Tough shows that it need not be this way.