Publishers testing e-books for young people

"I still prefer to read traditional books. ... But if our program was available right now, I would be reading it to my child," said Yaged, who added that he was reluctant to call the new Disney releases "e-books," instead favoring "digital books."

"There hasn't been enough success with the e-book. We believe it's better to call it something different."

Children's titles have been a weak part of the e-book market. Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins are among those saying they have no plans for digital texts designed for young people, while a Penguin spokeswoman said e-picture books are "part of the long-term plan," but not "the immediate future." The problem has always been a proper reading device; a laptop screen, a familiar sight for more and more children, could be the solution.

"We kept it as simple as possible. We just wanted to make sure we provided what kids would need to understand the text," Alexander says.

BookFlix begins with 80 pairings, 20 of them also available in Spanish, with categories ranging from "Family and Community" to "Music and Rhyme." Among those already using it is the Edward Smith Elementary School in Syracuse, N.Y.

"The teachers who have used it, love it," said Robin Young, the school's library media specialist. "They have been working with the kids in small groups. They love the pairing of fiction and nonfiction and they love the activities."

"We will look very carefully to see how this rolls out," said Suzanne Murphy, Scholastic's vice president of marketing for trade books, when asked if the publisher would make e-picture books available for general release.

"We have to ... look at parents today and what they're most comfortable with; and they're more and more comfortable with technology. I'd be hard pressed to say there won't be a time when bedtime reading is with an electronic device."

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