Paediatrics and Child Health is a textbook that aims to provide medical students with the tools to become competent diagnosticians, along with the knowledge and sensitivity to take good care of young patients and their parents. As before, the focus is on developing a working approach to paediatric problems and child health, written from the angle of symptoms and problems as they present in primary care. Acute problems take the front stage, but emphasis is also given to children with chronic conditions and long-term medical or educational needs, who are seen in the context of their families and the issues they encounter at school. Growth and development, both unique to paediatrics, also receive particular attention, along with nutrition, education, parenting, disadvantage and ethics. The new edition has been written so that it is easier to navigate. In restructuring the book, we were influenced by popular tourist guides that identify attractions and also highlight those sites that should not be missed. Each chapter of the book starts with a ‘mind map’ that allows the reader to visually grasp the differential diagnosis for any symptom, and highlights the common and important conditions that must be learned.