Future of Kids' Books

Books initiate kids into reading. Some books have art shells kids fill in with colouring pens like crayons. Parents use books to induce sleep. Time flies and kids encounter more books in day care. The habit makes things easier when they start grade school because books are not a novelty.

For how long? Digital has been a way of life for some time now and doesn’t look like it will take a break. Publishers must be in a quandary because i-Pads and phones are digital libraries. The only difference is that kids do not turn pages. They scroll down a screen. They can also enlarge photos with a touch of a finger.

Devices have the advantage of motion or movement, which kids find fascinating. They are more likely to enjoy a video with all the fish swimming about, than a book on sea life.

Sounds grim, but kids’ books will survive because of their sense of adventure. If mum and dad sit down and pretend to write something on a piece of paper, they will ask in baby talk to be involved. Give them a  paper and pen, amazing art emerges. Doing this at home regularly, will come in handy, because it is standard kindergarten activity.

Sales might be down on kids’ books, but they will continue to add value during formative years, when kids prefer chasing a ball or climbing trees, to a cellphone.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.