On the Czech book market, e-books have recently been gaining importance. Nevertheless, children's fiction is virtually absent from the market.
Recently, the country's leading children's publisher (Albatros Media) has released its first interactive children's e-book application (Booko). In an exploratory study, interviews with six volunteering parents (Booko users) - and the application's administrator were conducted.
The interview with Booko's administrator showed a worry on the publisher's part that traditional e-books cannot compete with interactive entertainment on digital devices. Therefore, the app provides enhanced e-books.
At the same time, the publisher chooses the most economic means to produce these e-books. The interactive features seem to have no further significance for the interpretation of the book and they are mostly self-serving, conforming to the notion of "inconsiderate e-books" which make little impact on children's literacy development.
In a similar vein, the parent respondents were hesitant with respect to letting young children use digital devices for reading. They prefer spending their parenting time with a printed book; digital devices are considered something for "keeping the children busy" on their own.