Which E-reader for Kids?

[CountryGirl]

We are planning on buying e-readers for our kids for Christmas. We are going to be moving oversees and want to have easy access to books for a our voracious readers. Since the kids read so much, I'd like to have access to a large number of free or inexpensive books so we aren't constantly having to shell out the money to buy new ones (but of course we will some times). We like current books but the kids also love older books and classics such as those I've found on Gutenburg, Manybooks, and Amazon's free book (or $.99) selection. I'm leaning towards the Kindle but am concerned if not having ePub capability will be a huge drawback for our needs or will we be able to find enough free books on Amazon to keep the kids satisfied? We will still have access to our library website back here in the US which has a small selection of ebooks from overdrive (I think only about 350) but I don't think our library's small colleciton of ebooks is enough of a reason to sway me to the ePub format on its own. But, can I use some of those other sites I mentioned (Gutenberg, Manybooks, etc) with the Kindle or do most of those free sites use ePub format as well?

If not the Kindle, then what would you suggest? My second choice is probably the Nook Wi-fi. As long as we are getting a e-reader, we'd like to get one with Wi-fi (but not 3G since it won't work for us when we move) and audio playback capability. I think we also want one with e-ink as opposed to the color ones or others with backlit screens since its primary function is as a replacement for books. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

[speedtouch]

PocketBook has just come out with a new product line that might fit your requirements. The 602 has wifi, is eink, and huge ebook file type support (epub, pdc, mobi, pdf, lots more).

[erictoma]

Excuse my poor English understanding, but what do you mean by kids?
Please chose the right answer:
A From zero to 5 years old
B from 5 to 10 years
D- 10 to 15
or
D From 15 to 20

[CountryGirl]

Originally Posted by speedtouch

PocketBook has just come out with a new product line that might fit your requirements. The 602 has wifi, is eink, and huge ebook file type support (epub, pdc, mobi, pdf, lots more).

Thanks, I'll take a look at this one!

ETA: I just looked at it and it does look nice. It seems pretty similar to the Nook so I'm wondering if there would be an advantage to the PocketBook over the Nook? It seems like maybe it has the ability to read more formats, is that correct?

Thanks!

[CountryGirl]

Originally Posted by erictoma

Excuse my poor English understanding, but what do you mean by kids?
Please chose the right answer:
A From zero to 5 years old
B from 5 to 10 years
D- 10 to 15
or
D From 15 to 20

Don't apologize, I should have included that info in my original post. We are wanting this for kids in the 8-10 year old range. Not looking for picture books, but chapter books and novels. My oldest likes older authors like G.A. Henty, Ballantyne, Twain, Jack London, etc. My younger is more into easier chapter books like Boxcar Children, Matt Christopher books, etc. I'm thinking we can probably find quite a few books for my older son that are free or inexpensive but that books for my younger son will be harder to find and we will probably need to pay more for those. We also have a younger daughter (5) who won't be getting an e-reader but that we might like to get some books for her from time to time (I'm guessing Amazon would probably be best for this, right?).

Thanks!

[erictoma]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl

Don't apologize, I should have included that info in my original post. We are wanting this for kids in the 8-10 year old range. Not looking for picture books, but chapter books and novels. My oldest likes older authors like G.A. Henty, Ballantyne, Twain, Jack London, etc. My younger is more into easier chapter books like Boxcar Children, Matt Christopher books, etc. I'm thinking we can probably find quite a few books for my older son that are free or inexpensive but that books for my younger son will be harder to find and we will probably need to pay more for those. We also have a younger daughter (5) who won't be getting an e-reader but that we might like to get some books for her from time to time (I'm guessing Amazon would probably be best for this, right?).

Thanks!

I think that eReaders are not suitable for kids from 8 to 10 in my opinion.

1- Electronic devices are easily broken if not handled carefully.

2- Most of the eReaders require hands dexterity, tiny buttons, rubber pads.

3- Ereaders can contain a lot of titles in the same time, even adults find themselves jumping from one novel to another without even completing one.

4- Ereaders require the ability of reading English in order to perform simple task like browsing navigation from menus

5- Ereaders also require knowledge to resolve bugs, to store ebooks make notation ect

6- they tend to freeze, even adults will past their entire days calling customer services

7- they are expensive, you will have to pay at least 1000 dollars for your kids.

8- Your kids will have territorial fights between them, you cannot duplicate the ebooks, you have to buy the same ebooks 7 times or you face some domestic dispute .
Because you seem to be a rich person I recommend you to hire an employee who can oversee all those gadgets at your home and can pass his month calling customer services and fixing bugs.


Kids like to run to jump , let them have fun and take maximum benefit of their childhood.

[speedtouch]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl

Thanks, I'll take a look at this one!

ETA: I just looked at it and it does look nice. It seems pretty similar to the Nook so I'm wondering if there would be an advantage to the PocketBook over the Nook? It seems like maybe it has the ability to read more formats, is that correct?

Thanks!

Honestly, I don't know much about the Nook, so I can't help you much there. But I'd guess the file support is better on the PocketBook 602.

[terraskye]

Originally Posted by erictoma

I think that eReaders are not suitable for kids from 8 to 10 in my opinion.

1- Electronic devices are easily broken if not handled carefully.

2- Most of the eReaders require hands dexterity, tiny buttons, rubber pads.

3- Ereaders can contain a lot of titles in the same time, even adults find themselves jumping from one novel to another without even completing one.

4- Ereaders require the ability of reading English in order to perform simple task like browsing navigation from menus

5- Ereaders also require knowledge to resolve bugs, to store ebooks make notation ect

6- they tend to freeze, even adults will past their entire days calling customer services

7- they are expensive, you will have to pay at least 1000 dollars for your kids.

8- Your kids will have territorial fights between them, you cannot duplicate the ebooks, you have to buy the same ebooks 7 times or you face some domestic dispute .
Because you seem to be a rich person I recommend you to hire an employee who can oversee all those gadgets at your home and can pass his month calling customer services and fixing bugs.


Kids like to run to jump , let them have fun and take maximum benefit of their childhood.

-If her kids are reading chapter books then I think they are able to grasp navigational instructions etc.

-She is only buying for two kids right now so I dont think it will be 1000$ for ereaders

-The ereaders I'm familiar with, Sony, can share books between ereaders so you don't need to purchase the same title multiple times. (My 650 & 300 have the same titles on them, purchased only once)

-Any trouble shooting issues I'm presuming the adults in the household will be able to resolve

That being said to the OP maybe invest in the most basic model of e-reader until you know determine your child will take great care of it I just got a older but still model of Sony for 99$CDN (the PRS-300) which a great size for smaller hands and can handle multiple formats including overdrive. It doesn't have wifi but its a feature that I can take or leave. It holds approximately 350 books and I find it user friendly. I'll be picking one up for my hubby this weekend.

I'm also buying a Kindle 3 for my son for Xmas but he is 22 and will appreciate the wifi and since he doesn't always have computer access he'll still be able to purchase books in a hotspot.

Good luck in your decision and I hope your children will enjoy whatever readers you decide on

[terraskye]

P.S. I've also heard that there are places still in the US where you can buy the sony prs-300 for ever less than what I paid for mine too

[Care]

Originally Posted by erictoma

I think that eReaders are not suitable for kids from 8 to 10 in my opinion.

1- Electronic devices are easily broken if not handled carefully.

2- Most of the eReaders require hands dexterity, tiny buttons, rubber pads.

3- Ereaders can contain a lot of titles in the same time, even adults find themselves jumping from one novel to another without even completing one.

4- Ereaders require the ability of reading English in order to perform simple task like browsing navigation from menus

5- Ereaders also require knowledge to resolve bugs, to store ebooks make notation ect

6- they tend to freeze, even adults will past their entire days calling customer services

7- they are expensive, you will have to pay at least 1000 dollars for your kids.

8- Your kids will have territorial fights between them, you cannot duplicate the ebooks, you have to buy the same ebooks 7 times or you face some domestic dispute .
Because you seem to be a rich person I recommend you to hire an employee who can oversee all those gadgets at your home and can pass his month calling customer services and fixing bugs.


Kids like to run to jump , let them have fun and take maximum benefit of their childhood.

I am sorry but I disagree with this. 10 years ago this may have been the case with 1-5, but these days kids start using electronics at a very young age. My 3 year old has his own laptop (not a kids laptop, my old one which is only 3 years old), he does need help sometimes, but I prefer him to learn and come to me when he needs help. Kids need learn to be careful with important things. I think it depends on the child, some are much more careful and technically inclined than others.

As for #6, this can happen with any product. I am looking at buying my son a Vtech reader (books to help with learning) and it can also freeze up or have glitches. There really is no way around this. I have had my Nook for 6 months and I have yet to have a problem. 8-10 year olds will be smart enough to learn to do a reset if there is a problem and usually that can solve the problem (for Nooks anyway, not sure about the others).

7. If the parents are buying books for their children anyway, what is the difference? You can get a lot of free or cheap ebooks and use Overdrive, so they can save there.

8. I am not sure about other readers, but I know that for the Nook as long as you put in the credit card number of the ebook you bought (if at B&N, if at other stores you can still share without the credit card number) you can use it on any Nook. The Kindle also lets you share books with 4 (it may be more or less I can't remember) other family members.

I can tell you that if my boys enjoy reading half as much as I do, they will have a reader at a young age. I think the age depends on the level and maturity of the child and that is where the parent has to make the call.

For the OP question, I think maybe a Sony would be optional because I think you can use multiple formats. Although, because epub is becoming so popular, I would almost go with a Nook. I love mine and I think the kids like the lcd screen and being able to see the books cover while searching. if you think you can find most books in mobi format or are willing to buy from amazon, then a Kindle would be a great choice as well.

Good luck!

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by speedtouch

PocketBook has just come out with a new product line that might fit your requirements. The 602 has wifi, is eink, and huge ebook file type support (epub, pdc, mobi, pdf, lots more).

Looks like they do not support mobi. From their website:

Multi-format and Multi-lingual
PocketBook e-readers have few format limitations and support the following platforms: EPUB DRM, PDF DRM, EPUB, PDF, HTML, DJVU, RTF, TXT, PRC, CHM, DOC, TCR, FB2, and FB2.ZIP. Language capacity is equally extensive with PocketBook’s menu currently offering almost 20 major world languages. Future firmware upgrades promise additional language availability.

Carol

[erictoma]

Originally Posted by terraskye

I'm also buying a Kindle 3 for my son for Xmas but he is 22 and will appreciate the wifi and since he doesn't always have computer access he'll still be able to purchase books in a hotspot.

People above 18 can even handle fire-guns, tanks and bombs, they are recruited in Afghanistan and Iraq
We were talking about 8 years kids

[speedtouch]

Originally Posted by sadievan

Looks like they do not support mobi. From their website:

Multi-format and Multi-lingual
PocketBook e-readers have few format limitations and support the following platforms: EPUB DRM, PDF DRM, EPUB, PDF, HTML, DJVU, RTF, TXT, PRC, CHM, DOC, TCR, FB2, and FB2.ZIP. Language capacity is equally extensive with PocketBook’s menu currently offering almost 20 major world languages. Future firmware upgrades promise additional language availability.

Carol

Hmm, that's strange. I know I can open mobi on my 301+. Let's go check with some 602 owners in the PB forum.

[speedtouch]

Ah ha, I figured out why mobi is not listed there. PRC is mobi. The ebook with either be labeled ebook.prc or ebook.mobi. Both are exactly the same, just with different extensions.

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/MOBI

[mmread]

I've got kids in the same age group as the OP. My 9 yo can definitely handle an ereader as easily as his Wii, DSi, & Xbox 360 electronics which cost more than these ereaders. As for the young teenager, mine and his friends have itouches and/or iphones that are more expensive than ereaders. I have seen my friend's 3yo daughter videotaping her 9yo brother's basketball game with the Iphone. Kids can handle electronics with care and ease.

I'm getting the Aluratek Libre for Cmas. I've already looked at the digital library of the cities' of my relatives. Their selection is way bigger than my local digital library. So I am looking forward for my kids to use it also esp for their summer reading requirements.