Although the current plight of children in many parts of the world can leave us with a grim outlook on the future, there are still many positive indicators of a better future for all. Local Childhoods, Global Issues is an interdisciplinary textbook that examines children's lives across the world, exploring the great differences-and similarities-between childhood experiences across different cultural contexts. The contributors consider the problems caused by poverty, social inequality, ill health, and violence, but they emphasize that these are challenges for children everywhere-not just those in the poorer countries of the world. They look at how children use their own resources and coping strategies and the sense of agency that results, arguing that in fact very few children are passive victims helplessly awaiting rescue. The contributors prominently feature interviews that highlight the direct perspectives of children themselves, This book is part of a series for Open University's E212 Childhood course and features significant pedagogical tools, including learning outcomes, activities, additional readings, and commentary.