Kindle for a child?

Imp

Many libraries can lend ebooks online. However, because Kindle uses its own format, this doesn't work for Kindles. Mrs Imp has a Kobo and I have a Nook so that we can borrow ebooks from our local library.

GracieP

Definitely consider a Nook, they are very similar but significantly cheaper. You can use the money you save to add extra books to the device. And as PP said can be used for library ebooks. I have one and am getting one and filling it with books for my mum for Xmas (as she's running out of books to read since I got my Nook and no longer have paperbacks to pass on to her).

barbarawright

Whatever reader you get, why not load it up with classics like Little Woman and Treasure Island which can all be found for free either on Amazon or sites like Manybooks.net or Project Gutenberg. Otherwise it can be slightly disappointing to get it out of the box and not be able to read anything at once.

Grumpygit

With my backlit kindle, I had a cover which had a light on which was powered by the kindle - that was great but used to annoy the OH as my easiest reading position meant that it used to go in his eyes, whereas the kindle fire is brilliant for night time reading as it's lit like a tablet.

As the previous poster has said, whatever reader you get, it will be great and will encourage your child to read.

Humphrey10

Kynthia wrote: »

I really recommend you avoid a backlit screen as it's clearer in the sun

Yes you really want to avoid a backlit tablet if you are going to be reading outside, I've got an iPad and it's unusable in the sun. Plus they tend to be much heavier than eReaders (I think they are called eReaders?). A Kindle Fire is a tablet computer like an iPad, not an eReader like a Kindle.

OP, have a look at the Kindle Paperwhite - it has an eInk type screen, and the screen is lit but not in the same way as a iPad etc. It's what I'd buy if I was getting an eReader.

maman

I wouldn't dissuade you from buying a kindle or similar but do encourage her to read 'real books' as well.

The experience of visiting a bookshop or handling beautifully presented books with fantastic illustrations can't be replicated by a kindle.

I'm not being a Luddite just saying go for both.

P.S. I don't disagree with downloading classics but they can be heavy going for children and the historical context will need some explanation. I'd suggest reading with her and discussing what she reads.

Threebabes

My dd is using my old kindle keyboard because I bought a kindle fire. The kindle is no good in the light or sun, the glare is awful. Going to buy dd a kindle paperwhite for christmas so I can get my old keyboard kindle back off her :-).

DigForVictory

All my 3 lads have kindles - the bog simple no keyboard sort, with the wifi off. They've all read Harry Potter, the Artemis Fowl books & often point out books "can you get this on my Kindle?" (I always Try!)
Two were eBay purchases - when the black £69 Kindle came out, the grey ones tumbled to about £35, so with bright covers they're easy to use, tend & spot... We still are library regulars as I can't download Everything - DRM prevents.
Go for a secondhand kindle, and if she adores it, consider a Paperwhite (lit) kindle or Fire (tablet computer pretending to be an ebook reader)?

GwylimT

My four year old uses my kindle a lot, I have the one with the keyboard, dyslexic children often find it much easier to read on an ereader compared to a traditional book. I do find I can read for much longer periods when using my kindle compared to reading actual books.

Mayflower10cat

I so wish that such a thing as a Kindle existed when I was that age! I'd have absolutely loved one. Your daughter will get so much use out of one if she really loves reading. I still buy 'real' books, for instance cook books and non-fiction, and I use the Kindle for fiction that I'd read perhaps once or twice at most. I've also bought books in hardback that I've really enjoyed on Kindle and want to have the 'real thing'. Mine is the bog std basic model, now costs about £50-60 but you can get them on ebay 2nd hand.