I tried the Kindle Paperwhite Kids and it's perfect for readers who travel

11 July 2023 , 14:00

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I think it's great (Image: Amazon)

Most people who know me know I'm a book person; with a floor to ceiling bookshelf behind my desk, three more shelves in my bedroom and a teetering pile of 50 books on my bedside table waiting to be my next read it's clear that reading is possibly my biggest passion. So whenever I travel it is, understandably, a bit of a nightmare.

I read across multiple genres and can be a bit of a 'mood reader' which means I need at least six different books whenever I go anywhere and that quickly becomes quite heavy. I decided to finally take the plunge and get a Kindle, there are a lot of models up for grabs but after seeing multiple videos from @thebooksiveloved on Instagram about how much she favours the Paperwhite above all other models I felt it was the best choice.

Kindle prices are currently ranging from £59.99 for the basic model all the way up to the Scribe for £259. The Paperwhite is just £99.99 and there's a way to get it even cheaper, when getting the Kindle Paperwhite Kids you get the exact same device but for £10 cheaper, a profile for reading only approved books for the youngsters in your life and a case. The 8GB offer has currently went out of stock but there is a 16GB model for just £109.99. Not only that but it has a year subscription to Kids+ and a 2-year worry-free warranty so there's no stress about dropping it.

I opted for the plain black case and waited for it to arrive, weirdly when it was being delivered it required the last two digits of the phone number associated with the order in order for them to hand it over. This is worth noting if you're buying it as a gift or you're not expecting to be home when it arrives, the package itself is small enough to fit through a letterbox.

One I got my hands on it I was surprised by how small it was, even being aware of the measurements it managed to surprise me. It's a little bit smaller than a paperback novel and about as thick as an iPhone.

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Setting it up was really easy, I chose to link it to the Kindle app on my phone and the process couldn't have been easier. After logging into my wi-fi the device had access to my entire Kindle and Audible library and was already linked to my Goodreads account for a more seamless tracking of my latest reads.

Setting it up was easy (Jada Jones)

There's an 8GB or 16GB option but Kindle and Audible files are small enough that I've already got at least 30 on my device without any issues, the download is really fast and then you have a whole library in your bag. The screen is glare-free which is amazing for reading in the sun but the screen contains 17 LEDs and the ability to change the warmth which makes it a great option for before bed with your main lights out. I really liked this as I normally need a lamp on to stay up reading and this is just a bit cosier.

I've used Kindle apps on my phone before so I thought I knew what the experience would be like, I've liked making notes and highlights in my books for years. What I didn't realise was that the screens are black and white, which can be a little jarring when you're used to seeing full colour book covers. This also means that unlike the app on tablets the highlights are only available in one colour - grey. I do think this is important if you're reading picture or comic books.

The cover is handy (Jada Jones)

I tend to bring out colourful sticky tabs, with each meaning something different, a coloured highlighter and match it to the book cover so this was a bit of an adjustment but once I got used to it I really like the reading experience. I've not tried linking it up to Bluetooth headphones yet to trial Audible but I like the sheer number of books I can take with me on a journey and the feel of the screen.

While it is touch screen it feels like paper rather than a phone screen and I like that you don't have to worry about screen glare. I think the best thing about it has to be that it's waterproof. I no longer have to worry about damaging my book if it gets splashed in the bath, if I'm reading poolside or if I'm caught in the rain mid chapter.

While it doesn't have the classic book smell I do think it's worth it if you're a reader who travels a lot. I would recommend taking advantage of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids deal as it's slightly cheaper with a longer warranty and a free case, what's not to love? You can buy it here for £109.99 during Amazon Prime Day.

Jada Jones