As we stand now, in mid-2026, printed paper books still reign
supreme in Kidlit.
Children, as it turns out, haven’t flocked to eBooks as predicted. Children’s books haven’t flourished as self-published books, either. Both spheres, predicted with unwarranted assurance twenty years ago, have had a generation to take hold and-----
THEY
DID NOT.
There is clearly a strong market for the self-published in romance/erotica
and mystery books for adults. There is an ever-growing market for audio books
for adults, also.
But children are different. It isn’t surprising the
self-published haven’t flourished (or made a dent) in books for young readers.
Librarians and teachers have a lot of sway there, and they do little with that segment,
relying heavily on traditional publishers' catalogues.
But, you may wonder, how is it that the first generation
growing up with cell phones, tablets, and computer games, not prefer eBooks?
This
article by a veteran agent makes a cogent point. In fact, it makes a few
points.
I’ve always been skeptical of futuristic declarations. That
whole other genre of both fiction and nonfiction that will turn up a myriad of
never-to-be prophesies. But I did buy into the notion that eBooks will take
over the younger people’s market.
Turns out the very old and the very young are more similar
than all whose ages that lie in between.
5 comments:
I'm glad that electronic books haven't replaced prints ones for kids. I think there's just something special about having a kid sit in your lap or next to you and sharing a print book together.
So-called pundits make market predictions all the time. How many of them are ever fulfilled? One such prognostication was that there weren't going to be any more real books or bookstores, yet that has (mercifully) not come true. I, for one, am supremely glad. While I listen to a lot of audiobooks during times I cannot be sitting and reading, I still love the feel of a real book in my hands. It reminds me of when I first started going to the public library as a child and asking the librarian for recommendations. Then I'd bring the allowable amount of books home with me and blissfully enter other worlds within them.
Paper is the only technology that hasn't gotten obsolete since its invention. And kids prefer the physical book. My new little grandbabies love their cloth and crinkly books :)
I was one that didn't care for reading ebooks at first, despite my book Farm Girl making a ton of money that way due to coming out right at the cusp of the kindle boom. Now however, I only read books on Kindle. I like how it is lit for night reading in bed, making it easy on my eyes. Also, traveling so much as I do, I have my library at hand on my Kindle.
I guess I fit into the very old category. :-) I'm a diehard paper book fan. And I keep buying new ones. E-books have their place for students and travellers. Not for kids and not for me.
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