OK. Please excuse the Tron reference in the post title, but it seemed befitting (if not a little dramatic). I mean, I feel like I am thinking about all things digital pretty much on a loop at times. And, of course, for me, the digital thoughts are in relation to children's books.
Digital products, whatever they may be, are a part of our lives. This is Fact. But while eBooks for grown-ups (I'll avoid calling them "adult" eBooks, just so we don't get our wires crossed) are selling by the bucketload, the same cannot be said for eBooks for children. The "straight" eBooks - offering a straightforward, digital version of a book, perhaps with audio - seem to receive mixed reviews. Ever heard someone say "It's just not the same as a real book" or "I can't imagine reading an eBook at bedtime"? Yeah, me too. Which is a shame, because - guaranteed - there are people who are curently cracking their nuts (metaphorically speaking, I hasten to add) in order to get said eBooks made. I speak from experience. It's a shame because, forgetting misconceptions and preconceptions, eBooks can be lovely things in their own right. And it's a shame because many of those eBooks - and I'm going to refer specifically now to the fixed-format EPUBs that we make at Bloomsbury - have some seriously brilliant audio. I'm talking Lenny Henry audio (amongst others). Lenny Henry audio that takes an electronic version of a book and transforms it into a story machine. For me, that is what brings this particular type of eBook to life.
As well as the fixed-format eBooks, there are the more interactive ones. Some are developed in iBooks, which allows a much greater level of creativity, although with restraints (always with restraints!). Comments I've heard in relation to this sort of book? Well, "The interactive elements distract from the story" is a common one - and, hey, I can agree, in some cases.
It's important to consider what you want from any product before you buy it, right? And I feel like eBooks have the potential to confuse this question, because the desired outcome may be different from that of buying a "real" book. The word "eBook" even almost feels like an oxymoron. Almost.
Apps, however . . . Well, that's a different matter.
When tablets were first released, and marketed as something that children could use, people scoffed. I would never trust my child with an iPad. You may have said this, or perhaps someone you know? I certainly did.
How things change.
I remember listening to someone speak at the Bookseller Children's Conference a couple of years ago (please forgive the fact that I can't remember their name). They said that, with apps, they were selling free time to parents. Behold! Here is something that will capture your child's attention for just about long enough that you can get [insert task] done. Not everyone agrees with this assessment, although most people I chat to do. There's also an educational element to apps. They almost tell you you're a good parent if you buy the app for your child. (In fact, I think sometimes they actually do tell you you're a good parent if you buy the app for your child.) And that may well be true. But why does the same not seem to apply for eBooks?
The amazing thing about children's books in digital formats is that we've still got everything to play for. The slightly-less-than-amazing thing is that there is still a stigma surrounding products of this type. I don't think there should be. You may think I'm wrong. If you have thoughts, opinions, reviews, worries, niggles, stresses - anything - when it comes to eBooks and/or apps, I'd be really interested to know them. If you feel like sharing, please email me at [email protected]
In the meantime, I'm going to be chatting to some digital folk here on POP so I can learn more about eBooks and apps. I hope you'll stick around to learn with me!