I may be a little old-fashioned or simply out of touch, because when it comes to books I like the real thing. I love books you can hold in your hands, turn over the corners to save your page, scribbles notes in, break the spine and even drop in the bath and know they will survive relatively intact.
So for that reason, I don't want a Kindle, I don't want a Sony Reader and I don't want to read books on a Nintendo DS.
I want the real thing.
I love books. I love bookshops. I loved Borders.
But times are changing.
When I received a new FLIPS title from EA games to review (an innovative new book range created for the Nintendo DS) I secretly hoped that I would not like them. While I support anything that helps children pick up a book and that encourages a love of reading, I was not comfortable with the idea of children reading books on a games console, I just did not think the concept would work.
We received the Edin Blyton Faraway Tree Stories to review partly because I adored reading them as a child and partly because they seemed suitable for a six-year-old.
In fact the vocabulary was too difficult for IJ and she announced she would rather play Mario Kart instead.
So far so good?
Then I passed the FLIPS on to Miss E, daughter of a close friend, who is a very intelligent nine year old who absolutely adores books and who has been known to get through several in a week. She is also used to reviewing products for blogs!
The verdict?
To my great surprise, she loved them and even rated them 9.9 out of 10! When I prompted her for anything negative at all she could find about the FLIPS she could find nothing. Zilch. When I went to get the FLIPS back from her half an hour later, she was still engrossed in the story and keen to show me the interactive links, the sound effects and the pictures which she thought were great. She also added that they would be good to read in bed at night because the screen lit up and she would definitely read more titles.
Thankfully she said she would continue to read normal books as well.
She did have one amusing observation about the Faraway Tree Titles though:
"Why have the names been changed?" She asked. "They used to be called Fanny and Dick, now they are called Frannie and Rick."
I told her that perhaps it was to make them more modern and left it at that.
So they get the thumbs up and I've changed my mind. In fact, I think they would be particularly good for children who are reluctant to pick up a book and for those who love gadgets, as most children do.
The FLIPS do seem fun, exciting and easy to read despite my initial reservations. The recommended retail price of £24.99 for a cartridge containing six books does not seem unreasonable and they could be shared with friends.
So I concede defeat. I like them.
Now someone pass me a Kindle!
I've always felt the same although the times I've forgotten my book and sat in a Drs waiting room reading 7 year old mags the idea of having them downloaded onto iphone sounds appealing.
I love libraries, we use ours weekly and it's always a lovely experience.
Posted by: Lax Parenting | January 13, 2010 at 01:08 PM
Ooh I know exactly what you mean. Some of my older books (especially the cookery ones) are my most treasured possessions. I just can't see me ever loving a Kindle...
Still, any method of encouraging children to read is a good thing, I guess.
PS Frannie and Rick? *snort*
Posted by: English Mum | January 13, 2010 at 02:14 PM
I totally agree with you. In my experience reluctant readers can be encouraged to read by other film/TV/computer games. So for example, my nephew wouldn't pick up a book before seeing Harry Potter at the cinema, but then he couldn't wait for the next film so read the book. And so on.
Bit jealous you got to try it actually.
Posted by: Liz (LivingwithKids) | January 13, 2010 at 02:17 PM
Dudelet wasn't that reluctant about reading but it was actually books of jokes that set him off rather than tech - unusual, given the amount of gaming gear and computers littering the house. Actually, it's probably been engaging with the internet that's really encouraged him - sites like Cbeebies and CBBC.
I've read quite a few books on my iPhone which has completely removed the need for a DS type thing. There are some great free reader apps on it as well which hook up to Project Gutenberg and the like.
Posted by: Dad Who Writes | January 13, 2010 at 06:18 PM
I got a Sony ereader for Xmas in preparation for my travels. I'm a fan of papery books but I have to say that it's really not bad. And it can hold 350 books on something smaller than a thin paperback. It's not a book, but it's almost as good.
Posted by: Victoria | January 13, 2010 at 06:20 PM
No way, they've changed the names?! I got a cooler ereader for christmas and love it. Never thought I would, love books, the feel, the smell, the being able to drop the in the bath but this things is so small and light and fits easily in my handbag and can hold loads of books. and the best bit is reading it in bed, where i do most of my reading, i don't get that ache in my hand and arm from holding a really heavy thick book. Had to get a leather case for it though as couldn't abide the feeling of holding a piece of plastic.
Posted by: Heather | January 13, 2010 at 08:15 PM
Fanny and Dick? Am I the only one who finds that a little... ahem... peculiar? I am actually snorting my red wine. Fanny and Dick. Now, really! haha
Posted by: Metropolitan Mum | January 13, 2010 at 08:59 PM
oooo- my daughter contemplated buying a 'book' for her DS but thankfully decided she would rather read a book. I must admit to reading the odd book on my iphone but I'm still a tad hesitant about children using them. The way forward I suppose but I do find it a bit sad.
Posted by: Chic Mama | January 13, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Ooohhh I don't know... I want my children to share my love of the feel of a REAL book and get their heads away from the glare of technology for a while. When I read a book, I scribble notes in the margin and bend the corner of the page as a bookmark or to show one of my favourite parts. You can't do that with an e-reader or a Nintendo DS.
However, I can see the positive aspects of having these stories on the DS - I could pretend to be solving the latest Professor Layton game but really be submerged in the Land Of Take What You Want.
And they will always be "Fanny" and "Dick" to me...
Posted by: Nickie | January 13, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Rosie I am so proud of us for not snorting out loud and giving it away to Miss E. And I can reassure everyone that E still loves real books, but she enjoyed the tech version too.
Posted by: Jo Beaufoix | January 13, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Interesting how we are coming round to the new technology. I bought my dad an e-reader for Christmas. He is now quite severely disabled (motor neurone disease) and really struggles with normal books as he has little power in his arms to hold a book open or turn pages. He managed the e-reader really well - we put it on his lap tray and he uses a pencil with a rubber tip to press the "turn over" button. It's fantastic!
Posted by: Trish @ Mum's Gone to | January 14, 2010 at 08:24 AM
I'm with you - some of my books are like my vest friends. The more worn they look the more i love them. I'm a bit frightened by all this new fangled technology - my eldest is only 4 so i haven't had to brace myself for the DS thing - but that said, I feel if it progresses their love of books, than that's cool. It's just another way for them to enjoy it. I don't think anyone will ever replace the feel of a book for good.
Posted by: Mummy Mania | January 14, 2010 at 09:40 AM
I'm a complete technophobe so didn't understand much of what you wrote here! But please tell me you don't really turn down the corners of pages or heaven forbid, crack the spines??!! Sorry, you'll have to excuse me, my OCD where books are concerned is kicking in and I need to find a brown paper bag to help me breathe normally again!!!
Posted by: Selina Kingston | January 14, 2010 at 10:24 AM
I want a Kindle and can't wait until they come out here. I love reading and I love technology.
That's good news about FLIPS.
Posted by: A Modern Mother | January 14, 2010 at 09:16 PM
I must admit I can't imagine liking digital books - to me, the time when I pick up my book (usually before I go to sleep) is when the computer's been switched off, the phone's recharging and everything on a screen has been put to bed for the night. Mind you, I never thought I would read newspapers online either, and I do now.
I'd forgotten Dick and Fanny......reminds me of when my Mum, a teacher, tried to read her class Swallows and Amazons. She could not continue because they all fell about laughing at 'Titty'.
Posted by: nappyvalleygirl | January 14, 2010 at 10:18 PM
I have got used to reading on my iphone, but still like a good book (can you read a kindle in the bath? I don't think so! And how would you find those stray chocolate crumbs between the pages to snack on later?)
had totally forgotten the faraway tree guys were Fanny and Dick! Awesome.
Posted by: geekymummy | January 15, 2010 at 05:41 AM