Isabella Products, Inc. Previews Tablet for Children Amidst Recent Findings of 200 Percent Increase in Children's E-book Purchases

CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Isabella Products, Inc. this week showcased their anticipated children's tablet to publishers at a pre-launch event in Boston, Mass. The preview comes simultaneously with new industry research on children's increased engagement with digital content and field research on tablet-based learning.

At the private event for publishers at the Boston Public Library on December 15, 2014, expert publishing analyst and industry strategist, Kristen McLean, presented findings from the 2014 Nielsen Children's Book Industry Report that underscored the rapidly growing trend in tablet use and its impact on empowering children to read, learn, and play. The new findings showed:

• Juvenile e-book purchases are on the rise. In 2011, seven percent of children's books purchased were electronic compared to 2014, where 21 percent of children's books purchased are e-books. (Source:  Nielsen Books & Consumer USA, 2011-2014)
• Children are reading e-books at a younger age. Children ages zero to six now start reading e-books at a mean age of 4.84. Children who are currently age seven to 12 started reading e-books at a mean age of 7.19. (Source: Nielsen Children's Deep Dive USA, Fall 2014)
• Children read longer & have a better vocabulary when incorporating screen time. Children ages three to five read longer and have a better vocabulary when incorporating touch-screen technology into their learning. Further, 24 percent of boys read stories on-screen longer than they read print books; girls of the same age read 12 percent longer. (Source: National Literary Trust (UK) & Pearson Education: Children's early literacy practices at home and in early years settings, 2014)
• Tablet play rates have skyrocketed. Tablet play rates for children ages six to 12 were at five percent in 2010, however in 2014, they are at 48 percent. This represents a 960 percent increase in four years. (Source: Nielsen Entertainment, Annual Games 360 Report, 2014)

McLean said of the industry, "Tablets are clearly where it's at when it comes to kids and digital content. Their portability, accessibility, and visual interface make them the perfect platform to empower and inspire children." She also spoke about the relevance of Fable, noting, "With its durable design, thoughtful content, and multi-media features, I think Fable fills an important need in the marketplace for an affordable, well-designed tablet that inspires children."

Also speaking at the event was Everett, Massachusetts Public School elementary school teacher, Furnell McGrath, who uses Fable tablets in her second grade classroom. McGrath participates in Isabella Products' in-school Fable pilot program. She provided an in-depth look at her experience with Fable tablets – first in a science-based summer school program and now regularly during the reading portion of her curriculum.

McGrath, who uses the tablet not only for reading, but workbook practice, educational games, and more said, "The children know they're doing class work, but they are more engaged and feel privileged when they're working on Fable tablets, versus solely pencil and paper-based activities," she remarked. "Fable is very user-friendly, and can be customized to the different ability levels of my students."

The Fable pilot program continues to expand as the Isabella Products team prepares to announce additional school districts that have signed on to use Fable in school.

"Industry research and feedback from education professionals have been instrumental in the continued development of Fable," said Isabella Products Founder and CEO, Matthew Growney. "Seeing how deeply engaged children are to learn and play using a tablet has strong implications for the publishing industry in developing digital content and for promoting literacy. Our team is further convinced that Fable is a unique and important tool to help manage and focus content in order to meet the needs of children as they develop and grow in school and at home."

A second event with publishing industry speakers and the ability to see Fable pre-launch is expected to take place in New York City in February. For more information, contact Brooks Wallace at [email protected].

Fable will be available for purchase online at VizitMe.com and at select retailers in March 2015.

About Fable

Fable is a secure, browser-free tablet that is projected to be the world's first affordable tablet that combines the freedom to learn and play with the security of private sharing. Designed to inspire children ages 3-10 to read books, play games, learn a new language, create art, watch videos, and share activities, content on Fable is completely free of in-app purchases and advertising. Fable is controlled and managed by parents and teachers at a password protected site, VizitMe.com, a carefully-curated selection of reviewed and approved content that leverage partnerships with world-renowned publishers and app developers. Each Fable tablet can be tailored to a child's unique interests and abilities, making it an optimal device for children at home, in school or on the go.

About Isabella Products, Inc.

Isabella Products, Inc. is a consumer device and services company developing a family of connected wireless products that enrich and entertain everyday life. Through its VizitMe cloud-based collection of apps, books, games and videos, Isabella securely delivers and manages content experiences with a portfolio of innovative products including Fable, a children's tablet slated for release in March 2015. Isabella Products is led by a world-class management team with extensive experience in the mobile and consumer electronics industries. For more information, please visit: www.isabellaproducts.com. For information about submitting content and using Fable in the classroom, contact Nancy Hamilton at [email protected].

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SOURCE Isabella Products, Inc.

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