Your Name and Title: Lisa Guernsey

Library, School, or Organization Name: Early Education Initiative, New America Foundation

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Washington, DC

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Children's Librarians, Elementary School Librarians, Reading Specialists

Short Session Description (one line):  An exploration of what we know so far about electronic picture books and their ability to help or impede young struggling readers

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):  In June 2011, I wrote an article for the School Library Journal about the promise and challenges inherent in electronic picture books. Through interviews with school librarians and reading specialists as well as e-book publishers across the United States, I got a snapshot of how people are grappling with several big questions now looming: Are electronic picture books good for kids, and can they get them hooked on reading by expanding access to engaging titles? Or are digital books one more step down that slippery slope to less and less interaction with print just when children need it most?

This session will provide background to what I learned in writing that article, and what additional questions have crept up in the months since its publication. I hope to have a lively discussion with conference participants about the changing nature of literacy learning in our digital age.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

To read the School Library Journal article, see:

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/8905...

To learn more about the Early Education Initiative at the New America Foundation, see:

earlyed.newamerica.net