Review: Great Resource!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 14, 2013
What a great idea for an ebook, and what a perfect time for it to become available!I developed my own love of reading very young and it has always been important to me to instill my love of books in the younger generation.  I've given books as gifts since I was old enough to read myself; especially at Christmas time.This valuable new resource has been published just in time for the 2013 Holiday season and is a godsend to anyone who has children on their gift list. Or those  who simply would like to know what is current in the children's book market.Two hundred fifty titles are profiled in this volume, divided by age groups from babies up to teens and young adults. Individual reviews offer further insight into age appropriateness of each book. Not every child reads at the same grade level as their peers, this book takes considerations such as this into account.Interesting tidbits of information are incorporated into these reviews, which provide a short description of the book and offer a few cogent reasons why a children's title is being recommended.  There is a list of authors and another of titles in the appendices of the book, with links that take you to the page the person or work for easy access.The result is a well written and often entertaining guide that can be turned to again and again.  While I've commented that this book makes for a great holiday gift guide, the truth of the matter is that its usefulness goes far beyond the holiday season, it is a resource that can be turned to again and again.  And, should never grow stale thanks to the updates that the ebook format allows.The author isn't claiming to be some expert in child development handing down wisdom from an ivory tower; she's a mom, aunt and avid reader herself, who has gone the extra mile to gather together a compendium of some of the best works available in children's literature, based on her own experience and that of friends, relatives and widespread consultation with  other parents.Many old classics are included in the volume, titles we all remember with affection from our own childhoods--like "Harold and the Purple Crayon" or "Black Beauty"-- but the emphasis is not just on classics. The author has done an excellent job pulling great reading recommendations  from a vast number of current and new titles.  I discovered many authors, series and titles I had never heard of; and gained knowledge and insight into titles I know of by title or reputation only, like "The Hunger Games."This is by no means  THE definitive guide to children's literature---it doesn't pretend to be for a single moment. As the author herself states in her introduction, her aim is to provide others with an introductory road map of sorts through the vast array of children's books and hopes that the book provides a springboard to others to do their own research into individual authors and titles."Tell Me A Story" would make an excellent gift itself--for any parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle wanting to share a love of reading with the youngsters in their lives.