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Rating: 
Summary: Not too easy for a kid to read but great pictures
Review: I began reading this book to my son when he was four. We began with the basics of how to set up the board and how the pieces move. Starting Chess helped peak my son's interest and learning in the game. He has now progressed to thinking about strategy and combinations as a result of Harriet Castor's excellent method for conveying the fundamentals found in book.As an Usborne book, I knew this would probably be a great tool to teach the game since the company designs interactive reading to compete with television and video games. The puzzles and great graphics throughout helped to stimulate my son's (and now my younger daughter's) interest. They are both really enjoying the game, and we play often. Highly recommended! PS "Chess For Children" by Ted Nottingham is an excellent follow on book to continue developing young kid's passion for Chess.
Rating: 
Summary: This Book Got My Son Interested in Chess
Review: I began reading this book to my son when he was four. We started with the basics of how to set up the board and how the pieces move. Starting Chess helped peak my son's interest and learning in the game. He has now progressed to thinking about strategy and combinations as a result of Harriet Castor's excellent method for conveying the fundamentals found in book. As an Usborne book, I knew this would probably be a great tool to teach the game since the company designs interactive reading to compete with television and video games. The puzzles and great graphics throughout helped to stimulate my son's (and now my younger daughter's) interest. They are both really enjoying the game, and we play often. Highly recommended! PS "Chess For Children" by Ted Nottingham is an excellent follow on book to continue developing young kid's passion for Chess.
Rating:
Summary: Nice pictures and graphics - but not the best beginner book
Review: I got 3 books on chess for my 12th birthday. Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, Chess For Juniors and Starting Chess. I give most of the stars because his book has great pictures and graphics. But, the amount that I learned from the written text was where this book was not so good. I do like this book a lot more that the Fischer Book, but my Chess For Juniors book was the absolute very best for a kid my age.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best beginner's books
Review: I have both this book and "Chess For Juniors". They are both excellent books to start out with. This book has excellent graphics and pictures to catch your eye. Something your kid will like to see to while you read the book to them. If you have a slightly older kid who can read for themself (age 8+) then consider "Chess for Juniors" too, which doesn't have the pictures & graphics at this book's level, but will logically arrange and provide actual material in a better way. So, it depends where your child is and how much work you as a parent want to be involved in using the book to teach as to which book is better. If you child can read at a 3rd grade level then get "Chess for Juniors". If you read to your child and want pictures and graphics you can show to your child then get "Starting Chess". They each have their own audience and are great books!
Rating:
Summary: Great book for kids
Review: I've been reading this book to two kids in the family, ages 7 and 9, and they love it. Also we have a 3-year-old who likes the pictures and has slept with this book under his arm--what other endorsement do you need? The drawings are fun, with lots of animated characters. Chess notation is described but not required for learning the moves (drawings are shown instead). The book covers all the basics for each piece, discusses exchanges (and points per piece), special moves (castling, en passant), opening moves and tricks, and endgames. Plus there's some chess history and simple puzzles. High recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Colorful book in pictures but just ok in instruction
Review: This book has fine illustrations, colorful photos and is well written. In fact if you are a parent with a very young child (under age 7) and want to read and explain the game using this book it is tops!
This is perhaps the second best introductory book if your child is old enough (I would definately say ages 7 on up) or you as a parent want to learn the game. For an older child who can read for themselves or for a classroom text book the best introductory chess book is "Chess For Juniors" (by Snyder). Therefore, which book is best for you depends on your cirumstances!
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