[HedgeMage]

For preschoolers, sure...for all primary education (as it sounded like you implied -- I hope I'm wrong) no way. There's a stage of development that requires the tactile and kinesthetic aspects of real books. That's why we give toddlers board books and books with crinkly things and pop-up books and so on.

However, there are many advantages to be had in ebook readers for primary schoolers.

Understanding that words *are* an abstract. Kids instinctively know that context matters, and use it. That's why many kids can recognize "stop" on a stop sign, but not in a book.

We expose kids to words and writing in many contexts: signs, books, newspapers, games, packages, post-it notes, refrigerator magnets, and so on, so that they can learn that the word itself has meaning. One more new context can only be a good thing.

Cool factor Nothing gets reluctant readers to change their tune better than a little cool factor. We encouraged my son to read and write with invisible (UV reactive) ink and a blacklight, fountain pens, gel pens, pencils of all kinds, a vintage typewriter, a computer, a huge collection of bookmarks, and so on. An Ebook reader would be a welcome addition.

Portability Think it's hard for grown-ups to drag a pile of books along on a trip? It's harder for kids, because they are smaller. They get even more benefit than adults do from the added portability.

Accessibility Kids' books often try for "fun" with an overabundance of colors and fancy writing. That's great unless your child has a visual impairment. My son is colorblind, and can't read many children's books because of the color combinations they use. Similarly, another child may benefit from being able to change fonts or resize text.

Freedom from the toy factor This is the biggest benefit that ereaders can offer little kids. With their attention span and (lack of) patience, ordering books online and waiting for a package is less than ideal -- especially in rural areas where delivery takes longer.

Libraries and brick-and-mortar book stores (with one exception) are off-limits in our family because they all (yes, including the public library) have as many, if not more, toys in the children's book department as they do books!

It's really hard to raise little ones who value reading when every interaction with books is bombarded from all sides by sparkly toys and novelty items. With an ebook reader, one can download books immediately, and toys don't have to be part of the equation at all.