| The new Sony E-Book reader marks a milestone in | | | | excellence of the visual display. Previous models have |
| the book world. | | | | been hard on the eyes. This is as easy to read as |
| The demise of the printed book has has been | | | | traditional print. In fact, you can adjust the size of |
| foretold for decades and each new advance in | | | | the text, so for the visually impaired, or those with |
| technology sees the predicted death of the | | | | tired eyes, it is easier. Throw those thick glasses or |
| paperback. Television, video, CD, the internet... all | | | | magnifiers away! You can also store hundreds of |
| were heralded as the harbingers of doom for the | | | | books in a device no being than the average hard |
| novel. | | | | cover. Great for taking on holiday. Especially with the |
| However, the traditional book that we all know and | | | | increasing meanness of airlines with their baggage |
| love continues to enthrall each new generation. | | | | allowance. If you are like me, with half your luggage |
| So what does this new E-Book reader mean for | | | | allowance taken up with books, the E-book reader is |
| children's books? | | | | a Godsend. I am sure the printed book will continue |
| Will this really be the end? | | | | to live happily side by side with this latest |
| I think not. Paper books are so easy to read in bed, | | | | development, just as it has survived all the miracles |
| on the beach, up a tree... in fact anywhere you can | | | | of invention of previous decades. |
| go, the book can go to. You can flick through the | | | | However, the new E-book reader does offer an |
| pages, scribble in the margins, on the flyleaf, get | | | | alternative. |
| them autographed, sniff the aroma of print and | | | | For authors like me, who have already brought out |
| paper... even ( I hate to admit this, but it was my | | | | novels for children on E-book, this new development |
| favourite snack as a kid) rip the corners off and | | | | is very exciting. I published my magical mysteries for |
| chew them. (I recently learnt my brothers did this | | | | children aged 8-12 as E-Books, with 3 on each CD, a |
| too. Our house was full of half eaten books. Must | | | | few years ago. The criticism has always been that no |
| have been something in the water or the genes.) | | | | one wants to read a novel on the computer. Now |
| However, a good E-Book reader is long overdue. | | | | this does not apply. Your new E-Book reader is as |
| E-books have the great advantages of being | | | | comfortable to hold on the sofa as a paperback, and |
| downloadable straight from your computer and can | | | | if anything, easier on the eyes. Kids are born to the |
| be stored in considerable numbers in a small space. | | | | new technology which we adults struggle to master. |
| For kids who love technology but are reluctant to | | | | The traditional book will thrive and prosper in this |
| read a book, the E-book is a great innovation. | | | | new techno age. Indeed the success of Amazon |
| Parents wanting to encourage their children to read | | | | shows the internet may have changed the face of |
| no longer have to do battle with the computer. They | | | | publishing but has certainly not killed the book. |
| can simply buy a CD or download an E-book direct | | | | However, it is time to consider a new alternative as |
| for their children to read on their PC or the new | | | | well. |
| Sony Reader. | | | | Why not treat your children to a novel on E-Book |
| The great thing about this new E-Book reader is the | | | | today? |