We know the publishing industry has changed but how has the childrens market changed? With the increase in the use of technology there is more demand for interactive apps that encourage children to learn and read as well as keeping them interested. The market is seeing a bigger demand for e-books and reading apps but there still is a demand for physical picture books. Chai (2013) claims that the average 8-10 year old spends 8 hours a day on different media, with only 24 hours in a day that is large amount of time. This shows that publishers need to be innovative to encourage young children to keep reading.
Smith (2007) suggests a childrens books should have many good qualities for example good writing, captivating storylines, awards and quality illustrations. Children like colour and exciting storylines but more importantly they want a character the can relate to (Mayhew, 2014 pg. 127).
Publishers are creating apps that compliment their reading books which will encourage children to read books so they can interact and play the games. Producing a children’s reading app is a different process to producing a normal picture book. An app includes illustration, animation, voice, audio and music (Wilson, 2014) therefore the process takes longer and there are more stages involved. Wilson (2014, pg.195) claims that picture books don’t provide enough text for an app and sometimes the words on the picture book don't flow on an app therefore publishers have to change the wording on occasions to make the voices sound right and not read right.
Strachan (2014, pg. 193) suggests that apps can be developed to help struggling readers because they allow visual reading aids and voices which encourage children who find reading difficult. This may help Children that have a learning disability like dyslexia to understand and absorb more of the story than a regular picture book therefore publishers are look for authors with ideas to transform their childrens books into apps.
39 Clues books series.
Scholastic is the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world and specializes in academic publishing (Scholastic, 2014).They have create the 39 Clues book series which is currently made up eleven books with each book coming with collectors cards that lead to clues (Scholastic, 2014). They also have an online game where book readers can interact with each other and play a virtual game. Danko (2012) advises that parents try multi-platform publishing as an interactive way to encourage young boys to read.The series of 39 Clues, encourages children to “supplement adventure stories in each book with puzzles, card games and online games, and even an interactive prize competition (Danko, 2012).
As children spend more time on tablets and apps there will be more demand on ones that improve their learning and reading, as well as, keeping them entertained. The future of children’s learning will be fun and dynamic and makes me want to be a child again!
Word count: 516
Chai., C (2013). How much time does your Child spend in front of the TV?. Available at:
http://globalnews.ca/news/929754/how-much-time-does-your-child-spend-in-front-of-the-tv-officials-update-recommendations/ (accessed: 11th October, 2014)
Danko, J (2012). Interactive ways to encourage your children to read. Available at: http://atyourlibrary.org/connectwithyourkids/reading-together/interactive-ways-encourage-your-children-read (accessed on: 6th October, 2014)
Jacobson, L (2014). Why boys don’t read. Available at: http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/6832-why-so-many-boys-do-not-read.gs (Accessed on: 6th October, 2014)
Mayhew, J (2014) Children’s writers & Artists’ Yearbook 2015. 11th Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing: London
Ransom Publishing (2013). Encouraging reluctant readers. Available at: http://www.ransom.co.uk/err.html (Accessed on: 6th October 2014)
Russel, G (2014). Children’s writers & Artists’ Yearbook 2015. 11th Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing: London
Scholastic (2014). About Us. Available at: http://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/ (accessed: 11th October 2014)
Scholastic (2014) About the clues. Available at: http://the39clues.scholastic.com/info/about (accessed: 12th October 2014)
Smith, F (2007). What makes a good Children’s book?. Available at: http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2007/08/15/what-makes-a-good-childrens-book/ (accessed on: 11th October, 2014)
Smith (2007) suggests a childrens books should have many good qualities for example good writing, captivating storylines, awards and quality illustrations. Children like colour and exciting storylines but more importantly they want a character the can relate to (Mayhew, 2014 pg. 127).
Publishers are creating apps that compliment their reading books which will encourage children to read books so they can interact and play the games. Producing a children’s reading app is a different process to producing a normal picture book. An app includes illustration, animation, voice, audio and music (Wilson, 2014) therefore the process takes longer and there are more stages involved. Wilson (2014, pg.195) claims that picture books don’t provide enough text for an app and sometimes the words on the picture book don't flow on an app therefore publishers have to change the wording on occasions to make the voices sound right and not read right.
Strachan (2014, pg. 193) suggests that apps can be developed to help struggling readers because they allow visual reading aids and voices which encourage children who find reading difficult. This may help Children that have a learning disability like dyslexia to understand and absorb more of the story than a regular picture book therefore publishers are look for authors with ideas to transform their childrens books into apps.
39 Clues books series.
Scholastic is the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world and specializes in academic publishing (Scholastic, 2014).They have create the 39 Clues book series which is currently made up eleven books with each book coming with collectors cards that lead to clues (Scholastic, 2014). They also have an online game where book readers can interact with each other and play a virtual game. Danko (2012) advises that parents try multi-platform publishing as an interactive way to encourage young boys to read.The series of 39 Clues, encourages children to “supplement adventure stories in each book with puzzles, card games and online games, and even an interactive prize competition (Danko, 2012).
As children spend more time on tablets and apps there will be more demand on ones that improve their learning and reading, as well as, keeping them entertained. The future of children’s learning will be fun and dynamic and makes me want to be a child again!
Word count: 516
Chai., C (2013). How much time does your Child spend in front of the TV?. Available at:
http://globalnews.ca/news/929754/how-much-time-does-your-child-spend-in-front-of-the-tv-officials-update-recommendations/ (accessed: 11th October, 2014)
Danko, J (2012). Interactive ways to encourage your children to read. Available at: http://atyourlibrary.org/connectwithyourkids/reading-together/interactive-ways-encourage-your-children-read (accessed on: 6th October, 2014)
Jacobson, L (2014). Why boys don’t read. Available at: http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/6832-why-so-many-boys-do-not-read.gs (Accessed on: 6th October, 2014)
Mayhew, J (2014) Children’s writers & Artists’ Yearbook 2015. 11th Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing: London
Ransom Publishing (2013). Encouraging reluctant readers. Available at: http://www.ransom.co.uk/err.html (Accessed on: 6th October 2014)
Russel, G (2014). Children’s writers & Artists’ Yearbook 2015. 11th Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing: London
Scholastic (2014). About Us. Available at: http://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/ (accessed: 11th October 2014)
Scholastic (2014) About the clues. Available at: http://the39clues.scholastic.com/info/about (accessed: 12th October 2014)
Smith, F (2007). What makes a good Children’s book?. Available at: http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2007/08/15/what-makes-a-good-childrens-book/ (accessed on: 11th October, 2014)