E-reader for a 10 yo

[2xand2y]

My oldest is turing 10 at the end of the month. Today as I watched her attempt to stuff the 5th book in the Harry Potter series into her backpack, I wondered if an e-reader would be a good gift. She is constantly reading and toting around multiple books. She has already asked for: a book light, books, an mp3 player, and in a VERY dreamy way an iTouch (ya right). An e-reader would be a pretty big splurge for us, but if it was a combined gift from family too I think it is doable. The bigger question is: is it wise? Please help me sort this out.

Also any opinions on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and CruzReader (others?) are greatly appreciated.

[Thalia the Muse]

I have a Kindle and love it -- and the new generation is really affordable, $139! My only concern would be whether, since she wants an mp3 player or a Touch, she'd be disappointed to get an e-reader instead. Books are already portable, but there's no other easy way to carry music around ...

Some things it might help to know: Readers don't have a built-in light (that's why they're easy on the eyes, it's like reading paper), so she'll still need a booklight. The Harry Potter books aren't available as ebooks (tons of kids' books ARE, though). You can put MP3s on your Kindle, but it's not the optimal device to listen to music on. Lots of great kids' books are free or around $1 because they're in public domain -- Little Women, The Secret Garden, eveyrthing by E. Nesbit, Daddy Longlegs, Anne of Green Gables, Girl of the Limberlost ...

[greenemami]

Not sure if you are asking about the brand specifically or the idea of a e-reader...

For me, there is just something special about holding the book in your hands and turning the pages, KWIM? I personally wouldn't give a kid an e-reader/kindle whatever because I feel like the experience of reading a paper book is different than reading something off the screen-I wish I could put it into words better! Kids do so much on screens these days, I just think that reading shouldn't be one of them

ETA: Oh, and the experience of going to the library and browsing the shelves for something great to read...just can't be replicated by using a search engine and downloading a story! JMHO

I do see the environmental benefits to going paperless of course, but I generally just go to the library or buy used, so I don't feel like I am contributing *too* much to paper waste that way.

[Thalia the Muse]

I fetl the same way about "reading on a screen" -- until I was given one as a gift. LOVE IT. It's like a magic book that contains whatever I feel like reading at that moment, and because it's not a backlit computer display, the reading experience is very much like paper.

[MJB]

My husband got me a Nook for my birthday in May. I love it! I will definitely get my kids e-readers in a couple years.

[2xand2y]

Originally Posted by greenemami

Not sure if you are asking about the brand specifically or the idea of a e-reader...

Both. I'm still not sold on the idea. IF, I become 100% about the idea is there a reader that is clearly better (especially keeping in mind that it is for a child).

I'm still working through the details and doing research. Hopefully, things will become more clear. Thanks for all the replies so far; they are very helpful.

[Drummer's Wife]

I say get her the itouch she wants. The kindle app is free, and it will do so much more than an e-reader. You can get one for about $50 more than a Kindle, and it would be a better investment, IMO.

[joensally]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

I say get her the itouch she wants. The kindle app is free, and it will do so much more than an e-reader. You can get one for about $50 more than a Kindle, and it would be a better investment, IMO.

We have a touch and an iphone, and I think the screens are hard for hard core reading, and likely not so good for the eyes. The touch is great for music and games (free and cheap apps), but I try to limit reading on it.

I'm humming and hawing about an ereader for the kids as well, as I love that they can adjust the font size and it's portable, but it's also expensive to buy and expensive to misplace. I also haven't found a place with a good selection of ebooks for kids - anyone know of one?

[GuildJenn]

I have a Kobo and the Kindle app on the iPhone.

The Kobo is definitely easier on the eyes, especially in sunlight. However I don't find reading on the iPhone as hard as I thought I would.

The selection for the Kindle is awesome, including kids books. I didn't choose it, it was a gift - I would probably have just gone straight to the Kindle on my own. But the feel of the Kobo is nice and mine came preloaded with 100 classics that are neat.

I'm a hardcore print person in many ways and agree that browsing the library is lovely BUT it is soooo amazing to have just one device with a whole library on it. With my iPhone, it's saved me a lot like when my son had appendicitis - I was able to download books to read to him while in the ER.

[TEAK's Mom]

I adore my Kindle and am saving to get one for my 8 year old dd1. Both of us are prone to headaches when using a lit screen for extended periods of time and find the Kindle very gentle on the eyes.

I don't have experience with other e-readers, but I'm sure they're lovely, too.

[Thalia the Muse]

there are LOADS of kids' books for the Kindle -- classic and currently popular alike. They aren't always cheaper than just buying a paperback, though.

[2cutiekitties]

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

I fetl the same way about "reading on a screen" -- because it's not a backlit computer display, the reading experience is very much like paper.

See, I didnt think that at all. I found the kindle incredibly annoying to hold and read. I am very glad I had the opportunity to try it out first.

OP I say get her what she wants, find a way for her to sample a reader and then do that for Christmas.