Miffy the Rabbit has had her first app launched for the Apple iPad but her creator is concerned that youngsters should pay more attention to the books.
Dick Bruna, the Dutch author who dreamt up the adventures of the intrepid herbivore believes that children are better suited to learning from books rather than staring at iPad screens all day.
The Dutchman wants children to love their books in the same way previous youngsters have and is encouraging them to use cardboard books before moving on to the tablets.
His concern is that over-reliance on iPads could lead to people ignoring books as they view tablets as a replacement.
Mr Bruna said: “I think babies and toddlers need to get used to books first, feeling the covers and turning the pages, this is part of their learning.
“I wouldn’t want too much interactivity – something to do on every page for instance – as I think that would make it too complicated for a young child,” he added.
The app, called Miffy’s Garden app for iPad is suitable for children of two or more years and sees them helping with raking, digging and watering the garden by speaking.
Bruna’s concerns though are that a generation of book readers could be lost as young children rely on the iPad.
He is supported in his concerns by the creator of the Gruffalo Julia Donaldson, who went further than Bruna in banning an app for the Gruffalo as believes moving pictures and other images will be a distraction from the actual reading.
