However, technology provides benefits print books do not: the internet offers children a wealth of information at their fingertips and e-readers ensure all children have access to the same title when the classroom library is only stocked with one copy, etc. But these technology tools can be overused and promote undesirable outcomes...namely, a more superficial and less pleasurable reading experience.
Another worthy point in the Times article...with the push of CCSS ELA standards to increase the amount of non-fiction children read, there is the risk of taking it too far and discounting the value inherent in fiction books. Again, the research shows that the aesthetic reading experience (i.e. a "lived through" experience) is an important one and non-fiction titles do not readily lend themselves to an aesthetic reading stance; rather, reading fiction is mostly an efferent stance (i.e. getting information).
In addition to reading better, the Times article points out that the data suggest children are smarter and nicer when they read fiction, print books...
- exist at the same time or in the same place.