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In:Children’s Literature Across Media: Concepts and perspectives of transmedia narratives
Edited by Nina Christensen, Ute Dettmar and Sarah Mygind
[Children’s Literature, Culture, and Cognition 21] 2026
► pp. 191–210

Chapter 10
So much more than books

Children’s literature in converging markets

This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
Contemporary children’s literature is produced, distributed and consumed in myriad new ways due to the convergence of media and markets. The materiality of children’s literature has diversified, from traditional print formats (board book, picturebook, hardcover, paperback) to dedicated children’s media devices such as digital audio pens (e.g. Ravenburger’s TipToi) or audio boxes (e.g. TigerBox or Toniebox). However, children’s literature has also taken on new forms of immateriality, when consumed as audio via so-called smart home devices (e.g. Amazon’s Alexa) or as apps via the ubiquitous smartphone or tablets. How do publishers account for this new variety? How has the traditional cash flow in the children’s literature sector changed as a result? This chapter, with a distinct book and publishing studies focus, offers insights into a fast-paced sector which has recently boomed: children’s books and (multi)media, not only as a result of the pandemic.
Article outline
  • Devices, readers, publishers: Three types of convergence
  • Old publishers, new realities — new opportunities?
  • New business models, new players
  • Conclusions: Publishing children’s literature within convergence culture
  • Author queries
  • Notes
  • References
References (71)
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