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P A R T I :
Entering the World of Children’s Literature
ebook on a computer screen might be hard on the eyes, and a computer limits por-
tability—even a laptop. Printing a book out would take time and money for ink and 
paper, and it would be bulky compared to a paperback edition. However, a number 
of lightweight reading devices can hold hundreds of books and permit thousands of 
page views before the batteries run out. The best ebook readers provide sharp text, 
readable from nearly any angle and in dim light (just like the printed page). Most 
ebooks can be purchased and downloaded in less than a minute, anywhere there is 
cell phone reception! 
Common brands of readers are Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iPad, Barnes &
Noble’s Nook, Kobo, and Sony’s Reader. They range in price from $140 to $830.
(Better ones come in full color and are backlit.) Google offers a free reader “app,” which 
can be used on almost any device with an Internet connection—smartphones, tablets, 
laptops, and desktop computers. On your device, download the Google ebooks app; 
then the icon will take you to Google’s Internet store. You can also visit www.books
.google.com/ebooks if you just want to look at Google’s list of more than 3 million 
titles, many of which are free. 
eBook readers have several advantages: they are small and light weight, font 
size is changeable, and they have search functions. For example, if a character 
appears and you do not remember who he or she is, just search from the front 
of the book for the name, and you will be taken to the place where the character 
was first introduced. 
Some ebooks are available for download free and others cost $1 at Amazon and 
other online booksellers. The classics at Project Gutenberg are all free. Online booksell-
ers, of course, sell downloads of newer books for somewhat less than the cost of a pa-
per book. Often, the ebook edition of a new book is available before the paperback is. 
One potential disadvantage of ebooks was described in Reading Today (2010): 
There is some indication that children read about 10 percent slower on electronic 
readers than they do when reading printed books. However, most children say they 
prefer the electronic readers. 
A Florida high school is starting what will surely become a trend: It is issuing 
Kindles to each of its 2,100 students! Each reader is loaded with the students’ 
math and English textbooks. Think how much lighter backpacks will be! (I re-
member lugging all those heavy books from class to class with nary a boyfriend 
in sight to help!)
Integrating Literature and Technology