E-Book: Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts was originally published in print as a 32 page picture book. The story follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect in celebrating curious children developing growth mindsets through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Ada Twist also introduces a main character of colour with plenty of girl power, all in a delightfully rhythmic, rhyming story.
This version of Ada Twist, accessed from the Wheelers ePlatform library, but available to purchase from various online stores also, clearly fits the definition of an e-book. It is a static, digitized version of the picture book originally conceived for print (Bouchardon, 2019; Bouchardon & Heckman, 2012; Lamb, 2011; Sargeant, 2015; Serafini et al., 2015). It is presented in EPUB format, making it easily accessible on any device with browser access. This opens up multiple opportunities in the school setting, allowing the book to be read to a whole class via an interactive whiteboard, common in most primary classrooms (O’Connell et al., 2015), or similar projector connected to a computer. It can also be read by smaller groups or individually on an iPad, or other tablet, laptop or desktop computer. It can even be accessed on a smartphone, however given the young age group for which the book is intended, this is an unlikely option for the classroom. O’Connell et al. (2015) found that access to mobile devices in primary schools was very limited, access to reliable wireless networks negligible and the authenticating and log on process beyond the skill level of most students. Thus, being able to access this e-book on the interactive whiteboard is a huge benefit for primary school use. The Wheelers ePlatform does integrate with the school library system well, meaning that while students are required to log on, they do not need an extra password to access.
This e-book retains many of the skeuomorphic elements of the original; virtual pages and page turning, double page spreads, front and back covers, end papers and publishing information are all present (Sargeant, 2015). It is a fixed format book that has limited setting changes available in the digital environment. The background colour (behind the ‘book’) can be changed, there is a ‘night reading’ function, zoom is available and digital bookmarks can be added, all benefits of e-books identified by Lamb (2011). Given the very limited additions from the print format, this e-book can be used in very much the same way the print book would be in literacy instruction. Flevigei and Matthew (2012) point out the benefits of the e-book over the print version as no physical storage space being required and accessibility for students in diverse locations. Other benefits include the ability to link teaching and learning programs straight to the book, ability to zoom in on certain elements to focus students’ attention and, depending on the device used to access, the ability to write on the screen to highlight teaching points. Indeed, the only benefit of the print version here would be not having to depend on reliable technology for the lesson (O’Connell et al., 2015).
Given Ada Twist’s grounding in STEM, it does seem that an opportunity may have been missed in limiting the digital version to an e-book, rather than an enhanced or interactive book. Sound effects and animations to accompany Ada’s experiments could be exciting and engaging for readers and perhaps even hyperlinks to further science related learning opportunities or related stories such as Ada Lovelace or Marie Curie. A ‘read to me’ function may also increase independent accessibility to the story for some readers. However, as Hoffman and Paciga (2013) point out, adults should scaffold e-book reading experiences in similar ways to traditional shared reading in order for children to reap full rewards, e-books should not be used as a replacement for adult-child shared interactions with books.
This fun and inspiring story with diverse characters presents a wealth of learning opportunities for the classroom in literacy, science and history as well as character development and reading for pleasure, none of which has been lost in the transition to e-book format.
References
Beaty, A. (2016). Ada Twist, scientist (D. Roberts, Illus.). Abrams.
Bouchardon, S. (2019). Mind the gap! 10 gaps for digital literature? Electronic Book Review. https://doi.org/10.7273/j3w2-h969
Bouchardon, S. & Heckman, D. (2012). Digital manipulability and digital literature. Electronic Book Review. https://electronicbookreview.com/essay/digital-manipulability-and-digital-literature/
Flevegi, E. & Matthew, K.I. (2012). eBooks and literacy in K-12 schools. Computers in the Schools, 29(1-2), 40-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2012.651421
Hoffman, J. L. & Paciga, K. A. (2013). Click, swipe, and read: Sharing e-Books with toddlers and pre-schoolers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 41(6), 401-484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-013-0622-5
Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(3), 12-17.
O’Connell, J., Bales, J. & Mitchel, P. (2015). [R]Evolution in reading cultures: 2020 vision for school libraries. The Australian Library Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00049670.2015.1048043
Sargeant, B. (2015). What is an ebook? What is a book app? And why should we care? An analysis of contemporary digital picture books. Children’s Literature in Education, 46, 454-466. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10583-015-9243-5
Serafini, F., Kachorsky, D & Aguliera, E. (2015). Picurebooks 2.0: Transmedial features across narrative platforms. Journal of Children’s Literature, 41(2), 16-24.
