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Christmas

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Original poster

Kindle advice needed

40 replies

Canshopwillshop · 22/11/2014 17:31

My 10 year old DD would like a Kindle for Christmas. I don't know much about them but was thinking of the Kindle Paperwhite - is that a good choice? She already has an Ipad mini so doesn't need anything which plays games etc.
Thanks.

OP posts:

chipsandpeas · 22/11/2014 17:38

i have the paperwhite and its great

you know theres a kindle app for the ipad btw

LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/11/2014 18:43

I would go for the paperwhite, then it's a pure reading device with no distractions.

americanpancake · 22/11/2014 18:48

I've just bought a Paperwhite for each of my DSes (11) and (9). The reason being the distractions on all the other devices. I want them to be able to read in bed without me worrying about what else they might go on. Hopefully it's the right thing.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 22/11/2014 18:52

I have a paperwhite and love it. So light and I can read in bed under the covers without the light on it waking up DH. Am buying my mum one for Xmas.

Original poster

Canshopwillshop · 22/11/2014 20:00

Thanks all. I am trying to encourage DD to do more reading therefore I do like the idea of having a device purely for that purpose. Think I will go for the Paperwhite.

OP posts:

Johnogroats · 22/11/2014 20:02

I love mine. Son has a kobo, but doesn't use it that much.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/11/2014 20:08

I got the bog standard basic one in the summer, after lots of help on here. Love it and I think it was only about £60.

LeopardInABobbleHat · 22/11/2014 20:26

I have a basic one but I'd go for the Paperwhite one next time.

Original poster

Canshopwillshop · 22/11/2014 21:28

Leopard - can I ask why you would choose the Paperwhite over the basic? My DD has poor eyesight in one eye and wears glasses so I need one that is easy on the eyes.

OP posts:

somebodythatiusedtoknow · 22/11/2014 21:34

Does she really need a Kindle too? Seems like a lot of gadgets for a child of 10.wonder if you can lock the ipad mini so she can only use the Kindle app?

LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/11/2014 21:42

Kindles are amazing and not really a gadget. They are a superior reading device and are great for encouraging reading. Dd struggled with the size of some of her books which she easily reads on her kindle.

Jux · 22/11/2014 22:06

A kindle is great as there are no distractions, you can only read on it. If she just has the app on the iPad then she'll play games etc, and read a lot less.

A Kindle at age 10 is a good idea as she is still young enough to see it as a gadget and something she can be a bit show-offy about having, and in order to do that, she'll take it to school, and round her mates' and so read more. Be prepared to spend a fair bit on books to tempt her to actually do some reading!

Original poster

Canshopwillshop · 22/11/2014 22:14

Lumpy - DD's teacher also said a Kindle is good when a child is put off by the size of a book. DD is very much like this which is why we are thinking its a good idea.

OP posts:

somebodythatiusedtoknow · 22/11/2014 22:34

To be fair I agree that Kindles are fantastic for young readers. It is more having both at the tender age of 10 but as she already has the ipad, that can't be helped.

Lucky her!

LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/11/2014 22:48

Dd used my I pad today she spent 2 hours making a stop motion animation with her lego figures. Tablets are just a tool., same as a sheet of paper or a book.

Original poster

Canshopwillshop · 22/11/2014 22:57

Somebody - yes, she is lucky but actually she was among the oldest in her peer group to get any sort of tablet. We got her the Ipad last year because:
a. she kept nicking mine
B. they use IPads in school and she does use hers for a lot of educational stuff (as well as Minecraft).

OP posts:

RueDeWakening · 22/11/2014 23:06

We've just done the same research and have ended up with a Paperwhite for DD. We've locked it down so that she can't access the Amazon shop, cloud or the internet. It also has a sandbox environment called FreeTime which keeps track of how long you spend reading, gives you a daily target of time spent reading which you can set, and so on. DD is very motivated by random awards and badges so it'll work well for her :o

Adarajames · 22/11/2014 23:10

You're limited to file type on kindle, kobo is better in that respect as you can read all sorts of file types, and many libraries allow you to download ebooks from a virtual branch free as part of your library membership

WineWineWine · 22/11/2014 23:21

Kindle paperwhite is fantastic. Much better for reading than on a tablet.

Dancergirl · 22/11/2014 23:35

My dd1 has a paperwhite which she loves and uses loads. She buys her books straight from the device, some are free and lots of others are cheaper than paper versions.

I'm looking to buy one for dd2 this year, anyone know of any good offers?

somebodythatiusedtoknow · 23/11/2014 00:13

The Paperwhite has a few cool features for kids which I don't think the cheaper one has. It is very good indeed.

Fair enough op. Very different to kids I know who still share the parents' ipad or at best get a hand me down 'ancient' ipad.

Could you try the amazon app for a week or two to see if it does the job?

Nearlyadoctor · 23/11/2014 07:46

I have bought DD 7 a Nook Glo light. £49.99 in Argos, I have a paperwhite and really love it, ideally it's what I would have her but as her main present is a 2DS I felt both was too extravagant.

The Nook has good reviews and is back lit, I had a good look and Barnes and Noble website and the books seem to be priced comparably with Amazon. So for us it seems to tick all the boxes at a good price.

Some friends have said I'm mad buying both an ereader and gaming device when a tablet could do both, but as she goes to bed and reads every night I want that to continue and her not to be distracted by the ability to play games etc as with a tablet. If she uses it lots and the wants a Paperwhite or whatever the new version that is current at the time in the future so be it.

Original poster

Canshopwillshop · 23/11/2014 07:59

Somebody - thanks for the suggestion but I don't really want her reading on her Ipad as I know she will get distracted by games. I can see how it may look a little extravagant but it will be her main present from us. In fact because my DC only have DH's mum left as a grandparent and she suffers from Alzheimer's (so has no idea when it's their birthdays or Christmas ), they don't get the usual spoiling from that side. I suppose I always feel like I need to compensate for that.

OP posts:

LumpySpacedPrincess · 23/11/2014 09:58

It's not spoiling and you don't have to justify yourself to anyone op.

Since I gave dd a kindle she has just read more and is more comfortable reading bigger books, what's not to like.

On the back of this thread I've just upgraded my Kindle to a paperwhite. I'm spoiling myself and I just don't care.

somebodythatiusedtoknow · 23/11/2014 10:21

Sorry to hear that op
It does make a difference against those with big families and I can see your point. Also Kindles have less screen glare which is better at bedtime for reading than on an ipad so that is another reason to get the kindle too.

Lumpy, if you want to treat yourself further have you seen the gorgeous Jonathan Adler Kindle covers. When I upgrade mine to a PW I am so getting one!

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