IT and Society: E-Books Collection for Kids

Barnes & Noble Inc., intent on winning over a new generation of readers, is launching a digital collection of books for kids under the name Nook Kids. The works, aimed at children 3 to 8 years old, include picture books, novels and a selection of enhanced editions of classics.

An estimated 12,000 chapter books, among the largest digital collections for young readers, is expected to be available at NookKids.com by end October. In addition, 100 or so picture books will be available in mid-November, while about 30 enhanced picture books will be available by the end of the year, or early in 2011. The collection, also available online at BarnesandNoble.com, will be accessible by year end via a Nook Kids app for Apple Inc.'s iPad and other devices.

One of the unusual features of the Nook Kids venture is that Barnes & Noble has struck publishing deals with more than 15 children's book publishers to create enhanced digital editions of classic titles.  Getting authors, illustrators and publishers to participate wasn't easy. "They don't want their books turned into a videogame or something strange," said William Lynch, Barnes & Noble's chief executive. However six months later, after a demonstration their mood changed.

The enhanced titles have been designed specifically for touch-screen features. At the beginning of each book, users can tap on one of two buttons that enable them to read the work themselves, or instead have it read aloud by a narrator. An icon at the bottom of some pages signals readers that there is an interactive feature. A pinch-and-stretch feature enables users to zoom in on illustrations. Grandparents or others who prefer larger print can double-tap the text to significantly increase its size.