I prefer reading on my Kindle over a printed book. (see Top Ten Reasons I love My Kindle post) But there are some books that just belong in printed book format. Kid’s books dominate the list with books that provide texture, attached parts and even aromas. Another issue is size does mater, some books need to be large.
I hope these books will always be available on paper.
So far publishers agree. All of the types of books on the list can be purchased in printed format, 9 at Amazon, but only 1 of the 9 is available in Kindle format (AKF)
 |
Where’s Waldo, Martin HandfordThe illustrations on Waldo books spread across two pages, 12″ x 20″ crammed full of tiny people in a themed setting. The goal: Find Waldo, the guy in a red stripped hat and shirt. In each sequel book Waldo gets smaller and harder to find. Suggested ages bracket is 4-8. I think they would need help, no issue since preteens thru adults loved to find Waldo too. NAKF(Not Available in Kindle Format) http://www.findwaldo.com/ |
 |
Bibles & other religious tomesIt would be definitely be easier to read a bible on a Kindle, and defininately easier to tote around. But there is something about the feel of a Bible. The paper just seems almost silky feeling to me. I love the feel of the paper edge when you fan the pages. I remember the gilded edges of my Grandma’s bible and the things she stuck between pages. Hundreds of Bibles are sold in Kindle format as well as printed format. AKF |
 |
Works of Art BooksFor instance, Slavadore Dali by Rachel Barnes. So much detail and quality is already lost when paintings are reproduced onto paper even in a 17”x 14” like this book. Too much more would be lost on a color Kindle or even a larger ipad. Pixels and Dali don’t mix. NAKF |
 |
School YearbooksWhat good is a yearbook without silly saying and autographs from classmates in the borders 2 good 2B 4gotten. For obvious reason yearbooks are not available at Amazon in any format. |
 |
Rand McNally Road Atlas and othersThese books open up to a 15” X 21” state map spread and I wouldn’t want them any smaller. I love following a road trip on a map. GPS’s are great but you can’t see a whole road trip, where you came from and where you’re headed. A Kindle screen wouldn’t be much better. NAKF |
 |
Coffee Table BooksThose large glossy nonfiction books people display on coffee tables. A Kindle laying on the table just wouldn’t cut it. Usually full of large photographs and brief descriptions, typical coffee table book subject matter includes travel, National Parks, and Histories of Wars, Aviation, Art, or Architecture. (Slavador Dali from above could be one.) NAKF |
 |
Oversized Story BooksThe kind talented PreSchool and Kindergarten teachers are able to read aloud with them facing outward, the words upside down, and balanced across their lap so the kids can see the pictures. They have to stay printed and big. Example of sizes, 14″ x 16″, 18 x 18″, 18″ x 15″. I learned to read from my first words from oversized books. Run. See Spot run. (Talk about giving your age away!) NAKF |
 |
Scratch and Sniff books.Just can’t be done in a digital format (although I wouldn’t miss them.) A search on Amazon brought up 226 Scratch and Sniffs, almost all children’s books. I was dismayed to discover amongst those cute kids books so called “adult” ones randomly placed in the mix. Gross and just wrong. The inadequacies I find in Amazon’s search engine continue to confound me. NAKF |
 |
Klutz Activity Books like Cats CradleAnd other books with toys. Amazon lists Cats Cradle under Toys and Games but it’s a book, with board pages, attached strings, and very detailed instructions how to play this classic game. Other tittles come with stuff like paints, propellers, or a deck of cards. NAKF |
 |
Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book)by Dorothy KunhardtThe name explains the issue. eInk can’t do texture. How can a toddler put a finger through Mother’s ring (a hole in the page) on a Kindle? These clever people make the book from light weight tag board so every toddler destroys their copy and a new one must be bought when a sibling is born. According to Wikipedia,”In 2011, Random House Children’s Books released a “”pat the bunny”” app, inspired by the original book, for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.” Oh please. Tell me that modern mothers don’t by into that, don’t beleive the app replaces the physical book. NAKF |
KLeRosier 