PaidContent UK has a look at what Penguin has up its sleeve for the Apple iPad, and in a few words, what they have planned is exciting.

To some extent, the demonstration of what they're looking to do with children books seems closer to a computer application than a book, but why not? If the iPad allows a book to come alive, with embedded music and interactive activities, that would be worth paying extra for. My son is obsessed with his Dorling Kindersley book on the Lego Star Wars series, and if he could see each building set from multiple angles or watch the sets as they're built, I'm not sure I'd ever see him again without the iPad obstructing my view of his face, but at least he'd be happy.

I'm not personally the sort that would be likely to get into book related chat rooms like those mentioned for Vampire Academy, but that sort of extended interaction makes sense, and if there isn't a quickly written Taylor Lautner biography for the young adult market, I'd be happy to write one to include all kinds of interactive material with. There's certainly a lot to process as the iPad gets closer to market, especially as far as pricing goes, but if you've ever dreamed of a book coming alive, it doesn't seem like that's too far off.

First Look: How Penguin Will Reinvent Books With iPad [PaidContent UK]