First my credentials: I am a psychologist and spent my career in education at the university level. My daughter attended a Montessori school for nine years and I read a lot of background material. So I am familiar with both theory and practice. I consider Charlotte Cushman's book to be both accurate and brilliant. She has total mastery of the Montessori system, based on the experience of founding her own Montessori school and many years of Montessori teaching experience. Her book is intended to educate parents and does the job masterfully. Cushman explains in detail why a (proper) Montessori education is incomparably better than what is found in most other schools, especially because Maria Montessori discovered how a child's mind actually works. Cushman explains every aspect of the Montessori system, including the hundreds of materials used to enable children to achieve self-management, knowledge, independence, self-discipline, genuine (as opposed to fake) self-esteem, and social development. She explains the teacher's unique role. There are numerous specific examples of the teaching methods and numerous and beautiful color picture of children at work. A special bonus in a section at the end gives parents suggestions for ways in which they can encourage their child's intellectual and moral development. If you value your children's mind and their future, this is a book not to be missed.