I was recently given the Picture and Writing: Younger Ages e-book to review. Let me start by saying that I love e-books. I think they are one of the best things to hit the homeschool market. I really enjoy having items at my fingertips and appreciate saving on the shipping fees. Gentle Shepherd has several products to choose from in the e-book format.

This is a simple e-book with a great concept written by Diane Hurst. There are 36 lessons included, so one can be done each week of a typical 36-week school year. The e-book is extremely affordable at only $6.00. On the top half of each page is a suggestion for a picture to draw, and space is provided to draw it in. The bottom half of the page provides lines for the student to write a small passage about the picture he has drawn. The pages are simple and have no distracting elements. The clean layout makes the product very user friendly.

I know that in our home the biggest difficulty my children face in their writing is finding a subject to write about. This e-book takes care of the problem by providing the early-elementary-age child with plenty of ideas to encourage creative writing. I think that adding in the idea of first drawing a picture really helps to spark the child's creativity. I would highly recommend this product to parents seeking to inspire a love for creative writing in their child.

Product review by Tara Howell, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March 2011