Changes in the children’s and YA book market
According to Nielsen Book’s research, print books remain popular among young readers. Despite the accessibility of e-books, most readers aged 8-17 don’t use their smartphones and tablets to read, preferring print books.
It’s not all good news, however, since the research also showed that the proportion of readers aged 0-17 had dropped by another percentage point. Percentages are dropping fastest in boys aged 8-10. (At the same time, though, those considered “frequent” readers are actually reading more per week.)
Instead of reading, children aged 3-10 are increasingly turning toward online activities, such as YouTube and computer games. Watching TV on mobile devices is another popular activity, which increased by 13%(!) points in 2015 over 2014 as a weekly activity among 0-17 year olds.
The research also split up UK readers into four groups: the “Superfans”, the “Distractibles”, the “Potentials” and the “Antis”. The latter group tend to be male (aged 14-17) and don’t like reading at all, preferring to use YouTube, social media and texting instead. The “Superfans”, on the other hand, are more likely to be female and love reading. The “Potentials” are the largest group; they enjoy reading but only occasionally. Finally, the “Distractibles” are mostly male, who enjoy some reading, but still prefer the internet and physical activities.
Source : Henry, Jo “Changes in the children’s and YA book market.” London Show Daily, April 2016, 14
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