This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Do children still love reading? According to an advert I saw recently, they do – but only on a Kindle! I love my Kindle, but I find it quite upsetting that companies are now advertising Kindles for children. Where has the magic gone? Do children of primary school age really need to be reading on a computer screen? What’s wrong with giving them an actual book?
My American nephew turned three recently and, as is always the case when it comes to getting him a present, I felt the need to make it quintessentially British. The first book I got him was a Winnie the Pooh book with a page that had actual sticky honey he could touch. He loved it! I was delighted. I want him to marvel at the pictures, be absorbed by the story and, most importantly, begin to really love books.But children’s books have changed since I was his age. I grew up reading about The Tiger Who Came to Tea and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I read nursery rhymes and creepy stories (which later developed into a love of Point Horror).
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How can we begin a child’s love affair with books when we insist on getting them to do everything via a computer screen? Where can their love of reading really begin if they are not allowed to grab hold of an actual book and share it with their friends?
Do you know a child who reads on an e-reader? Do they prefer it to paper books? Would you ever allow your child to have an e-reader? As ever, let us know in the comments. And while you’re at it, why not spread the love of great children’s books and tell us what books you read as a child or what ones you currently read to your children.