Islamic Children's Book Industry Relies on Interactive Innovation to Attract Reading Interest
The Islamic children’s book industry is beginning to adapt to the rising use of digital devices among young children. Publishers are developing interactive books that combine visual, audio, and learning elements to maintain reading interest while strengthening character education based on Islamic values.
Industry players consider this approach to be one strategy for keeping physical books relevant amid the changing learning patterns of Generation Alpha, who are increasingly familiar with digital technology. Books no longer function solely as reading media but are also being developed into more interactive learning tools capable of competing with various digital content.
One publisher developing this approach is Ziyadbooks. For more than two decades, the company has produced Islamic children’s books with various innovations, including the development of soundbooks that combine printed books with audio technology to enhance children’s learning experiences.
This innovation also led Ziyadbooks to win the Brand Indonesia Excellence Award 2026 in the Stationery & Books category. The award is given to brands deemed capable of maintaining consistency and innovating within their industry.
Ziyadbooks CEO Rubiyanta said the current challenge in the publishing industry is no longer simply producing books but delivering a learning experience capable of competing with the appeal of digital screens.
“The challenge in the publishing industry today is no longer merely producing reading books, but rather how to make physical literature able to compete with the appeal of digital screens. We focus on designing literacy that not only instils Islamic values and character building but also stimulates children’s active engagement through interactive learning experiences from an early age,” he said on Wednesday (5/8/2026).
According to Rubiyanta, the development of interactive books is carried out to adapt to the learning characteristics of children who are now more responsive to visual and auditory stimulation. Through this approach, children not only read but also interact directly with the learning material, making it easier to understand daily prayers, worship, morals, and basic knowledge.
In addition to Islamic material, the books developed also cover language development, science, and general knowledge. This approach is expected to support cognitive development while building children’s character from an early age.
Entering more than 20 years of operation, Ziyadbooks considers innovation in Islamic children’s books to be part of efforts to maintain the relevance of print literacy in the digital era. Going forward, the company plans to continue developing learning media that are more adaptive to technological developments without abandoning the function of books as a means of building a reading culture and the character of the younger generation.