subject: IPad, Kindle, Nook: Good Christmas Gifts for Children? [print this page] IPad, Kindle, Nook: Good Christmas Gifts for Children?
Ebook readers are taking off in popularity these days, and lots of people are giving them to family members as Christmas gifts this year. From the Apple iPad to the Barnes & Noble Nook to the Amazon Kindle, there are lots of models out to choose from. Amazon's latest Kindle is quite affordable, coming in at $139. If you have children who like to read, you may be wondering if an ebook reader would make a good gift.
Let's take a look at some considerations, including age compatibility, durability, ease of use, and ongoing expenses.
Age Compatibility
It probably goes without saying, but an ebook reader is going to be a better gift for an older child than a younger one. While many of the new ebook readers have color and can display graphics from children's books with pictures, you'll find more titles available for middle-grade and young adult readers. These are the kids, too, who will likely be better able to take care of the device and use it independently.
Durability
If you're thinking of buying an ebook reader for a child, durability is probably going to be an issue. Many kids toss their gear into book bags and backpacks (which might later get slung to the ground) without much thought for sparing fragile items. While an ebook reader can doubtlessly survive some bumps and falls, it's not going to be indestructible. I had my Kindle fall off a counter and onto a tile floor, and the back cover partially came off. I was able to snap it into place again and get the device powered up fine, but I'll definitely try to avoid such a mishap in the future.
An ebook cover or hard case can help protect it. Ultimately, this is an electronic device, though, and you wouldn't want to buy it for a child who has a habit of breaking things.
Ease of Use
Ebook readers are fairly user friendly. If your child is savvy surfing the web and navigating your home computer, then he or she shouldn't have trouble downloading new stories to read. For purchase from the Amazon bookstore, it's particularly easy since the ebooks are sent directly to your Kindle as long as there's a wireless connection nearby. I've downloaded books from home, the coffee shop, and even from the stationary bicycle at the gym!
Ongoing Expenses
Buying an ebook reader is a bit like buying a video game system. The expenses don't end after the initial purchase because your child will want to buy books to read. Of course! While there are a number of free ebooks available around the web, you'll probably have to pay to download those favorite authors. Currently ebooks from traditional publishers cost as much as paperbacks, and sometimes a little more. Indie authors often offer less expensive stories, but quality is hit or miss.
In the end, ebooks cost less than video games, so most would argue that this ongoing expense is not a bad one. If your child wants to be able to chose his or her own books and purchase them without going through you, gift certificates are available for the various stores.
All in all, an ebook reader such as the Ipad, Kindle, or Nook can make a great Christmas gift for an older child or teenager.
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