Should Children read eBooks?

The argument of whether children should read eBooks or not is one that has been banded around much more fervently of late. With eBook sales on a constant rise, the latest figure from some publishers seeing a 300% rise from the same quarter in 2010, it seems that whether we like them or not they are here to stay for a while.

Children's eBooks currently only account for 6% of digital sales of books, not a vast amount but still big enough to impact on many children's publishers sales. The iBookstore charts are flooded with Young Adult fiction titles Such as the Twilight series by Stephanie Myer, or Pittacus Lore's I am Number Four. If its supernatural, its likely to be there! That is fine, why shouldn't teenagers and young adults enjoy the luxury of convenient eBooks on an eReader or phone like us adults?

The discussion, however, changes when we start to think younger. Should younger children be let loose on the world of eBooks? I am not suggesting that adults will flock to buy iPads, Kindles, Nooks or Galaxy Tablets for their children just yet (or ever) but those already with a tablet or eReader might well consider investing in children's eBooks. The iPad, a great all round tablet, provides amazingly crisp illustrated eBooks, the like you would not believe. Just look at the current children's charts on the iBookstore and you will see many illustrated books littered in between all the fiction titles. That is not to say that some young children are perhaps not yet ready for eBooks, but as the technology advances, eBooks are becoming more and more interactive and media rich learning environments.

The Nook colour is another portal for beautiful, interactive, colour eBooks for children. The American children's eBook market is booming largely because more tablets and eReaders are in the hands of adults who will let their children enjoy eBooks.

Let us also not forget the Kindle. The Kindle maybe greyscale but that doesn't always lessen illustrated eBooks. Amazon also have one thing going for them, the ability to read Kindle eBooks on your PC/Mac - Barnes and Noble also give this - meaning that you don't even need a dedicated eReader to enjoy them with your children. I think that is a great selling point for eBooks for children, apart from Apple eBooks, you can still read eBooks on your computer.

All of this makes me feel like the argument is slightly irrelevant, children's books will never go out of fashion, they are a great learning tool for children. eBooks should be taken as such, that is not to say that eBooks will cast out printed books, i don't believe that will happen. But they should be utilised alongside their digital counterparts to provide children with the best reading experience they can get, surely that is whats important?