ereader with good library access?

[entropy]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

So, Entropy, I hope you get access straightened out! What about the Singapore Library? I thought anyone could get access for a fee, but maybe that's over now too.

Thank you!

I tried Singapore Library a year ago or so ago when others on the forum seemed to be able to access it, but I didn't have any luck. They asked for a passport number, but when I entered it I found they didn't want MY passport number.

[LuvReadin]

Originally Posted by ApK

But outmoded language will send kids running and screaming to the TV faster than anything. And I can't really blame them. When they have to stop twice per paragraph to ask what some turn-of-the-19th-century idiom means, how can they get involved in the story?

I agree with Steve - I don't see why this should be a problem for kids, especially not one of 5 years old, whose mum will probably be reading with him and be able to explain anything he doesn't understand. I think you're underestimating kids' intelligence - I have several nephews a few years older, who are quite keen TV watchers & computer games players, and they've all got really into the older boys' adventure series such as Tom Swift and the Rover Boys, and my niece loves the Angela Brazil stories. It is true that they sometimes have to look up an unfamiliar word (although that's really quite easy to do with an ereader, as most have built-in dictionaries), but most of the time they can work it out from the context - I can't see that expansion of their vocabulary as being anything other than a good thing. It's often necessary even with modern books - even with the plethora of US TV programmes, there are some US terms in books that aren't at all clear, and I'm sure US readers have the same issue with books originating in the UK (assuming they are reading the originals and not the rewritten US versions).

[ApK]

Originally Posted by LuvReadin

I agree with Steve - I don't see why this should be a problem for kids, especially not one of 5 years old, whose mum will probably be reading with him and be able to explain anything he doesn't understand. I think you're underestimating kids' intelligence - I have several nephews a few years older, who are quite keen TV watchers & computer games players, and they've all got really into the older boys' adventure series such as Tom Swift and the Rover Boys, and my niece loves the Angela Brazil stories. It is true that they sometimes have to look up an unfamiliar word (although that's really quite easy to do with an ereader, as most have built-in dictionaries), but most of the time they can work it out from the context - I can't see that expansion of their vocabulary as being anything other than a good thing. It's often necessary even with modern books - even with the plethora of US TV programmes, there are some US terms in books that aren't at all clear, and I'm sure US readers have the same issue with books originating in the UK (assuming they are reading the originals and not the rewritten US versions).

I do not speak for all kids, but I do for mine, and for myself when I was one, and I know that we're not alone.
Mom or I can read the story and interpret, but that takes one out of the immersion that make reading a good story so...for lack of better single term, let's say 'magical.'

UK-to-American is a little different. If it's a spelling thing, that's easily assimilated, even if kids are reading for themselves. If it's a single word, like bonnet, lorrie, mack, then it's just new vocabulary. But in all those cases, or even when it's a phrase or idiom, it's something that they are likely to see or hear again in their modern global life.

The outmoded stuff is only useful for reading more outmoded stuff, and while there is value in that, I believe it can come later in life, after one has developed the appreciation for reading that comes from, first, understanding, enjoying, and relating to what you read.