I usually don’t read self-help or “how to” books, but this one is the exception.  I picked up How to Raise a Reader thinking I would only glance at what it had to say, and I couldn’t put it down.  Paul and Russo are editors of The New York Times Book Review and each has raised a family of readers.  Chapters are divided according to the age of the child, beginning at birth and ending at the teen years.  Most of their advice is practical, easy to understand and carry out and makes a lot of sense.  Also, at the end of each chapter are favorite books for each age – title, author and a brief summary.  At the end of How to Raise a Reader are book suggestions by category, i.e. family stories, tear jerkers, historical fiction, etc.  This is the perfect gift for  parents or grandparents of a newborn who want to pass on their love of the written word.