Considering these figures it is clear that publishers can’t ignore this shift and have to understand that the children’s book industry is also heading into new territory. To be able to compete they have to make reading more interesting by letting children participate in the book by creating digital online products with interactive features. Regarding printed books, they have to publish “fresh compelling content to compete with the activities (principally gaming and communication with their peers) that are increasingly now attracting the interest of children in these age bands” (Nielsen, 2013).
In my opinion, it is important that publishers, as well as parents, to think of this new way of consuming books for children as an opportunity rather than a threat. By making reading more exciting for children, more of them might be encouraged to actually read, instead of just watching TV. By attracting children to books through digital enhancements they may also learn to appreciate traditional, text only, books.
What publishers can do:
Publishers should make sure that there will always be room for both, digital and physical books. They need to make sure they don’t cause market cannibalism. This can be avoided by making digital and physical products companions instead of competitors. For example for “Disney's Kingdom Keepers app, readers must have the book to "unlock" the game” (Springen, 2010).
What schools can do:
Even though it seems easier to give every student a tablet, where they can download all their textbooks, schools shouldn’t completely abandon physical books. As it is good to teach children how to use these the devices in an early stage, however, students should also be encouraged to enjoy
physical books (e.g. the novels to be read in English class).
What parents can do:
When it comes to parents it is important that they don’t just plop their kids in front of devices. They should also encourage their children to use both forms, by e.g. reading to them from physical books and in doing so, teach them to enjoy the simplicity of a printed book and the wonderful illustrations that come with them.
In conclusion, I’m convinced that in the future, printed children’s books will still have a place on the bookshelf, simply because some things are just impossible with ebooks, as for example the very popular touch-and-feel books. Regardless, digital children’s publishing should not be ignored as it can lead a lot of kids to reading more books.
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Bibliography
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Digital Book World, (2010); Children's Publishing in the Digital Age; [online] Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/digitalbookworld/childrens-publishing-in-the-digital-age; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]
Dredge, S. (2014); Tablets in schools: Coding, Creativity and the Importance of Teachers; [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/27/tablets-schools-coding-kids-education-ipad; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]
Hughes, S. (2014); Children's Publishing in the Digital Age - Where Reading and Interactivity Collide, Oxford Brookes University
Londonbookfair.co.uk, (2014); Understanding the Children’s Book Consumer in the Digital Age; [online] Available at: http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en/Sessions/4587/Understanding-the-Childrens-Book-Consumer-in-the-Digital-Age; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]
Nielsen, (2013); Is Technology Challenging Children's Reading?; [Press Release] Available at: http://www.nielsenbook.co.uk/uploads/press/1NielsenPR_IsTechnologyChallengingChildren'sReading_Sept13.pdf; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]
Springen, K. (2010); The Digital Revolution in Children's Publishing; [online] Available at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/43879-the-digital-revolution-in-children-s-publishing.html; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]
Vaughan, R. (2013); Tablets in Schools Double in One Year; [online] Available at: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6339835; [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014]