Editor's Note: Book Business to Present Free Webinar on Children's Reading Trends in the Digital Age

On Tuesday, December 14, Book Business will present a free webinar, sponsored by Canon, entitled "Children's Reading Trends in the Digital Age: An All-Access Pass to Scholastic's '2010 Kids and Family Reading Report.'" The event, which begins at 2 p.m. ET, will feature speaker Francie Alexander, chief academic officer, Scholastic. Noelle Skodzinski, editorial director of Book Business, will serve as moderator.

From ages 6 to 17, the time kids spend reading books for fun declines while the time they spend online or using cell phones increases. Forty-one percent of parents are concerned that the use of electronic and digital devices negatively affects the time kids spend reading books. They also worry that time spent with these gadgets affects the time their children spend doing physical activities (40 percent), and engaging with family (33 percent).

These are just a couple of the statistics revealed in a new study published by Scholastic and marketing and strategic research consulting firm Harrison Group, exploring the impact of the digital world on children's reading habits and preferences.

The study, called the "2010 Kids and Family Reading Report," was launched as part of the global children's publishing, education and media company's 90th anniversary, which is focusing primarily on literacy efforts worldwide.

Register for this free, hour-long session for an all-access pass to information about:

• The impact of digital trends on how much children are reading, and how they are accessing books
• The average child's attitude about e-books and printed books
• Parents' concerns about digital technology as it relates to their children's literacy and health
• What children's current reading habits and preferences mean for your business today, and the industry at large as these children become the adult readers the industry will be serving in just a few years.

Join Alexander as she explores these statistics and shares the insights found in the "2010 Kids and Family Reading Report," and why the results are important to publishers everywhere.