My explorations project topic was “New Media in Children's Literature.” When I first thought of the idea, it was mostly in terms of eBooks and how they are changing the way children read. However, after beginning my research, I broadened it a little bit. I thought the subject was fascinating and I didn't want to limit myself to just studying eBooks. I wanted to understand changes in children's literature over the course of history.



          My initial questions were these: How does new media affect the way children read? Are they reading more or less because of easier access to books? Are interactive eBooks really books? Do they actually count as reading? Should we ever limit our kids to reading real, physical books? How does the sale of eBooks affect authors and the market? These led my inquiry, though I looked further than these, too. While I was working on my presentation for the class, I felt really strongly that I should look at how reading has changed over the years and how it will continue to change. With that, I researched the history of story and its presentation in children's lit. That was one of my favorite parts of the project, because I think it nicely supported my eventual conclusion-- that eBooks and new media aren't going anywhere, and that when they're used well, they can be a powerful tool for literacy and enjoyment. It was fascinating to follow the arc of children's literature, how story has evolved over time to what it is today.

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          My presentation in class went very well, and I was pleased with class interaction. One of the things I wished was that there was more time for discussion, and not just with my topic, but with a lot of them. So many interesting subjects were brought up and it's always fun to go back and forth about ideas. One of my goals was to continue my research by asking the class questions about their own use of media in regards to reading. I asked how many had read an eBook and it seemed that about half had. It surprised me, I guess I assumed more would have since we are a younger group and familiar with the technology. However, during the discussion I did learn that some people really didn't understand the appeal of eBooks at all, one person honestly didn't know there were any advantages to using them instead of physical books. ***



          I will admit that a large part of my motivation behind researching this topic was that I am starting a family and I wanted to land somewhere on this issue, since I really believe it isn't going anywhere. I didn't know- do I want my kids only reading “real” books? Should I let them use my iPad to read on? Why or why not? I wanted to know if there were any studies that said something one way or another on the topic. I was torn because my earliest memories are of reading my favorite books. In elementary school I lived a block away from the library and walked there to borrow books three times a week (the librarians just loved me), and I still feel nostalgic over the words in Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, even The Monster at the End of This Book. Did I really want to deprive my children of these memories and feelings? On the other hand, would I be doing them a disservice by not letting them learn new technology (that inevitably they will end up being exposed to in school, anyway)?



          What I learned probably isn't very surprising, but the conclusion I've drawn is that this battle isn't an either/or decision. I think a lot of people don't realize that; there are countless articles about the “death of the bookstore,” and I'm sure you could easily find ten people on the street who would say something along the lines of “I just like the feeling of a book in my hand,” or “What about that old book smell?” On the other side, you have people valiantly defending their Kindles, arguing for carrying their entire library around in their pocket, cheaper books, and easy access to anything they could ever want to read. But why does it have to be “real” books or eBooks? What rule says that when you buy a Kindle you immediately burn your bookshelves? I guess for me, I just came to the realization that it's okay to camp in both parties. I didn't ever notice it before, but I kind of have reader's guilt for jumping on the eBook train. I've always been defensive in my decision to read that way, even though by no means is that the only way that I read. So why have I felt for the last two years that I was going to be attacked by rabid book lovers?



          I have quite a few books stored in both my Kindle and Nook apps on the iPad, and if I want to read a specific title right now, I'll probably surf Amazon for a “1 click read” rather than drive to Village Books. Is that bad? I don't think so. See, I still have three full bookshelves in my house and I'm proud of that. One of my absolute favorite things to do is head to a thrift store or Half-Price Books and peruse the shelves for treasures. Nowhere else can you get an armful of books for $18, that's for sure. I'm always surprised and pleased by what I find there, and I've stumbled across books I probably never in a million years would've read otherwise. So I've settled quite nicely into a place where I feel that I can read whatever I want in whatever format I'd like.

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          So why is it that I had to do a formal project to come to the same conclusion for my kids? I don't know, but I'm glad I did. My kids will certainly be familiar with their local library and yes, they'll probably also know their way around Amazon. And I think that's okay. Because in the end, there are great things about each, and the upshot is this: I want my kids to love literature the way I do. I don't care if it's a physical page they're turning or if they're scrolling with their fingertips, I just want them to be entranced by the magic of Hogwarts, to giggle at the hilarity of the Mad Hatter and his tea party, to fall in love with Mr. Tumnus, and to always beg, “Just one more chapter, please mom?”