According to publishers weekly in 2012, 'sales rose 9%, to $3.3 billion, book sales in the children’s market are likely to be slightly down when the final numbers are counted in 2013' (Milliot, J. 2014).
At Booktrust, they had been following an annual list of the best children’s book apps over the years. "Children’s publishing was buzzing with a sense of possibility. Although there was some anxiety about the impact that digital technology might have on printed books, there was excitement about the ways that children’s books and picture books in particular – might be brought to life as apps on devices like the iPad, offering new, innovative, interactive ways to tell stories" (Woodfine, K. 2014).
Many children’s publishers today need to be more creatively engaged with digital platforms. For example, the performance of sales in 2013 reflected massively from the Hunger Games trilogy. Without this series, sales of children’s hardcovers were down '14.3% in the first 10 months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, while e-book sales were down 34.9%' (Milliot, J. 2014).
Diagrams taken from: Publishers Weekly (2014)
At Booktrust, they had been following an annual list of the best children’s book apps over the years. "Children’s publishing was buzzing with a sense of possibility. Although there was some anxiety about the impact that digital technology might have on printed books, there was excitement about the ways that children’s books and picture books in particular – might be brought to life as apps on devices like the iPad, offering new, innovative, interactive ways to tell stories" (Woodfine, K. 2014).
Many children’s publishers today need to be more creatively engaged with digital platforms. For example, the performance of sales in 2013 reflected massively from the Hunger Games trilogy. Without this series, sales of children’s hardcovers were down '14.3% in the first 10 months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, while e-book sales were down 34.9%' (Milliot, J. 2014).
Diagrams taken from: Publishers Weekly (2014)
Shifts In Where Children's Books are Bought: The diagram clearly shows the clear rise in 'e-tailer' trends from 2009-2013 and the fall in purchasing from a 'large chain bookstore'.
Trends In Where Children’s Books are Bought: You can see most that 20% of children's books are being bought on Amazon compared to the 3% being bought at Independent bookstores.
Academically, the internet has also enabled publishers to read potential audiences at schools or colleges. 'By promoting new titles and authors in both the gaming and social networking websites. Young readers are beginning to explore new books and authors in a creative, inspiring way for example Puffin’s YA website, Spinebreakers.co.uk, and the magazine approach of independent website ReadingZone.co' (Horn, C. 2014).
Bibliography:
Horn, C. (2014). Children's Books - Articles - Digital Developments in Children’s Publishing | BfK No. 176. [online] Booksforkeeps.co.uk. Available at: http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/176/childrens-books/articles/other-articles/digital-developments-in-children%E2%80%99s-publishing [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].
Milliot, J. (2014). Children’s Books: A Shifting Market. [online] PublishersWeekly.com. Available at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/61167-children-s-books-a-shifting-market.html [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].
Woodfine, K. (2014). Children's Books Apps: What's Next?. [online] Booktrust. Available at: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-blogs/blogs/booktrust/519 [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].
Academically, the internet has also enabled publishers to read potential audiences at schools or colleges. 'By promoting new titles and authors in both the gaming and social networking websites. Young readers are beginning to explore new books and authors in a creative, inspiring way for example Puffin’s YA website, Spinebreakers.co.uk, and the magazine approach of independent website ReadingZone.co' (Horn, C. 2014).
Bibliography:
Horn, C. (2014). Children's Books - Articles - Digital Developments in Children’s Publishing | BfK No. 176. [online] Booksforkeeps.co.uk. Available at: http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/176/childrens-books/articles/other-articles/digital-developments-in-children%E2%80%99s-publishing [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].
Milliot, J. (2014). Children’s Books: A Shifting Market. [online] PublishersWeekly.com. Available at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/61167-children-s-books-a-shifting-market.html [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].
Woodfine, K. (2014). Children's Books Apps: What's Next?. [online] Booktrust. Available at: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-blogs/blogs/booktrust/519 [Accessed 30 Oct. 2014].