So, I have recently signed another book contract, for Raising Children in a Digital Age: Enjoying the Best, Avoiding the Worst - the book that I expected to write and then move on (thanks Ali Hull for suggesting the book originally, and Rhoda Hardie for all the PR on it), but has led to many media appearances, speaking and other opportunities, and because it has done so well, a second edition is to be written whilst I’m in New Zealand.
The Financial Times described it as ‘sensible’ in a sea of scare stories, whilst a 14 year old, initially scathing at the idea that her mum would learn anything, read it and said ‘oh, she knows what she’s talking about’. Individuals at conferences have come up to me and said it has changed the conversation with their children, whilst youth leaders have said that my work has shaped youth ministry around digital over the past few years.
The original cover has really stood out on the shelves, and I’ve enjoyed being sent Instagrams, etc of the book for sale in bookshops and at conferences:
So, it’s been interesting to be sent suggestions for a new cover (although I wonder about a similar bright colour, and a different emoticon)… the stairs seems to be the winning design - and I like the freshness, the on trend colours, the fact it’s a girl, and that she looks like she’s having a good time … but wary about the blondness, the fact she’s on her own - especially at such a young age, and she’s very white… got to think what fits with the message of the book…
This cover removes the focus on a particular age/gender/ethnicity, and is much brighter, not sure what I think of the icons…
This one is also very bright and should stand out on the shelves, but reintroduces the age/gender/ethnicity question again… Child does look like he’s having fun, however.
Once my brain starts working again - and once back to work and through the ethics procedure, I’ll be back with a new questionnaire to send around - trying to think what I want to know that’s changed in the past 6+ years since I wrote the first edition!
