While the e-book market is skyrocketing, with predictions that sales will top $1 billion this year, arguably much of the emphasis has been on capturing the adult reader market. But many e-readers, particularly those with black-and-white screens, are not suited for children’s illustrated books.
With that in mind, mobile device maker Isabella Products is teaming up with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – publisher of the beloved Curious George series, among other titles – in order to make a play for the younger reader market. The two have announced Fable, an interactive, portable tablet that will let kids read, draw, and game.
The Fable, which should be available next summer, will have a 7″, full-touch and full-color LCD screen, a built-in camera, and will come pre-loaded with books from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The device will be more than simply an e-reader as it will have other drawing, gaming, and photo sharing apps as well. The Fable will run on the Android operating system, and like the Kindle will also have wireless connnectivity. Via Isabella’s VizitMe.com content management system, users will be able to access the Fable online bookstore, and parents will have control over the device’s connection – to the sites children can visit and the people with whom they can communicate.
According to the Boston Globe, the device will likely retail from between $149 to $179, with book titles costing between $0.99 and $3.99.
While the price may be competitive with other e-readers, the market is not an easy one to crack. Will parents want to purchase an e-reader specifically for their children? And will the Fable be compelling enough for children to want it, and not other “bigger kid” mobile devices?
