Success in the children’s literature industry means paying attention to trends. Children are showing a greater preference for digital books over the traditional print format— and their reasons go beyond the fact that they’re digital natives.

The digital format allows publishers to integrate amazing technologies that enable extra features, like interactive hotspots, film-like formats, and multimedia effects. It turns out that these digital features are the secret ingredients for success in children’s literature, as they can improve the comprehension skills and engagement levels of young readers.

While traditional formats are still relevant, this does mean that there’s ample opportunity for professionals in the industry to adopt a more digital approach to their work. To illustrate, here’s how digital technology can help your career in children’s literature:

For the Illustrators

Illustrators play a bigger role in digital children’s books due to the rise of multimedia effects. These features are more than just an added aesthetic touch for the books— they help young readers in comprehending storylines by providing visual cues. As such, illustrators need to learn how to produce digital art that will support the comprehension and reading skills of children.

Recognizing that many of these digital features are new, illustrators need to experiment in producing interactive and multimedia animations. These hotspots and interactive features must be accessible on digital platforms, so it’s recommended that illustrators making use of this medium use animation software programs like Adobe Animate or Animatron Studio. These programs allow users to customize characters, add multimedia elements, and export creations in various formats.

For the Authors

You may have heard the term “show, don’t tell” a thousand times, but this can’t be overstated in children’s literature. Tapping into a child’s imagination is essential, which is why writing coach Alexandria LaFaye suggests that writers must focus on the fine details of each scene.

It’s easier than ever to do research for stories, and that scope of information will be reflected in your work.

Given that descriptive details are crucial in children’s literature, authors should be adept at researching, and the Internet is a particularly great resource. Writers can make use of digital sources, online interviews, documentaries, and more to expand their work. It’s easier than ever to do research for stories, and that scope of information will be reflected in your work.

For the Editors

Editors need to closely examine the language and readability of each piece to ensure that they are appropriate for the age range of the reader. So aside from checking the grammar and the plot, editors need to gauge whether each work is age-appropriate or not.

Thanks to advancements in technology, children’s book editors can now use readability software tools that can grade texts based on the difficulty levels of the words and the length of the sentences. These readability tools make it easier to see at a glance whether a story is truly age appropriate or not, allowing editors to quickly go through submissions.

For the Publishers

Now that readers are shifting their preferences to electronic book formats, publishers need to follow suit by adopting a more digital approach. In fact, the vice president of the International Publishers Association, Bodour Al Qasimi, stated that publishers need to embrace digital platforms for children’s literature. The development of new business models and literary solutions is critical, especially if you want to align with the shifting preferences of the young audience.

Now is the time for publishers to focus on producing e-book versions of children’s publications. These digital editions support interactive features that young readers look forward to, as well as accessibility options for audiences of all ages.

Times are changing, which is why creators of children’s books must shift their practices according to what the market is leaning towards. Luckily, there’s a wide array of digital tools that can make this shift easier for industry experts, creators, and young readers alike.