I made a mistake, and I'm sorry. In a recent post, I told you about Sylvan Dell Publishing's new eBooks, and gave you my initial reaction before I did my usual research. I had just returned from a vacation, and wanted to get the news out to you, but that's no excuse.
It wasn't that I didn't find the announcement exciting, it's just that every time I think about the possible extinction of real books, it makes me upset. I'm not the only one, though, according to this interesting article from The New York Times (it contains a great video, too). By the way, I found the article on Twitter, via the wonderful nonprofit literacy organization, Everybody Wins!
Anyway, I finally had a chance to take a closer look at the web site, and NOW I'm excited! If you are a parent (especially if you home school your children), a grandparent, a teacher, or a librarian, you should be excited too.
You see, it's not that Sylvan Dell Publishing is trying to replace picture books in print with their extremely innovative eBooks, as I initially thought. Many of their books are available in both formats, and it doesn't seem that their intention is to phase out their books in print anytime soon. Whew...a sigh of relief.
What they offer to you is the best of both worlds. How great would it be to be able to read aloud a high quality picture book to your child, and then access the eBook version as well? If children love a particular book, they can go back and forth between formats. And they do need to be exposed to both types of reading and learning. These are not your typical eBooks, either.
These are just a few of the reasons I'll be taking a much closer look at what Sylvan Dell has to offer:
- Their picture books/eBooks help children learn about science and math through high quality literature. The two formats will appeal to all types of readers.
- Their products are aligned with state curriculum standards. Parents and teachers can actually search for books by state, subject, and even reading level.
- Each book/eBook has a "For Creative Minds" section, which gives you 3 to 5 pages of additional information about a topic, as well as related activities.
- Each book/eBook also has a "Teaching Activities Page," which is perfect for teachers, librarians, and home schooling parents. You can even earn free books if you submit additional activities!
- Ebooks are available for use on Smart Boards! Imagine how interactive a picture book can become in the classroom. Teachers can even choose between English and Spanish text.
- Audio books and eBooks are available with English or Spanish text.
- Here's What People Are Saying about Sylvan Dell products.
- You can find out more about what the company is planning, and find out how to participate in a free 90 day eBook trial if you read the recent press release.
Please note that I originally found out about this company through The Reading Tub blog, but you can find another wonderful review over at The Book Chook blog. And for details about specific books, from another teacher's perspective, you might want to read a related post at the Teach with Picture Books blog.
So, I'm very excited about the possibilities here! In offering picture books in both print and digital formats, Sylvan Dell Publishing has found a way to take reading and learning to the next level. When you integrate subjects, like reading, science, math, art, and technology, you're opening children up to a whole new way of thinking.
While most adults will choose to read either a book in print OR online, why should children have to make such a choice? Picture books are short enough that they can, and should, be used both ways. And think about how much more children will want to read if they can enjoy their favorite books over and over again...
Here's to having your picture book, and reading it online, too!
