AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kiwa International is launching the first simplified and traditional Chinese eBooks in its collection of children’s books at the Hong Kong Book Fair on July 21.

The Chinese translation of “Milly and Molly and the Bike Ride” and “Zoo You Later – Monkey Business” follows the launch of Kiwa’s books in Japanese.

The New Zealand-based company has been selected already in the British press as producing one of the best iPad iApps when it comes to eBooks. The digital format, known as QBook, is available through iTunes and available in English, Maori and Spanish.

Founder and chief executive Rhonda Kite says Kiwa (www.kiwamedia.com) has established relationships with major and independent publishers.

“Our company is at the forefront of children’s digital publishing in multiple languages across many cultures,” she says. “Our ‘One Day a Taniwha’ QBook transcends cultures and was one of the first we translated to Japanese.”

Kiwa’s Q Book is an interactive, touchsmart and voice-activated digital format for Apple devices. The format allows users to read the book, run their fingers across the text to have the story read to them, or to spell words out. Parents and children can record a version of their own voice to play back.

Published using the true type fonts and original illustrations, QBook offers a “paint” function, meaning children can colour in the pictures to suit themselves.

Kiwa’s technology will be demonstrated at the Hong Kong Book Fair from July 21 – 27 and Rhonda is expecting to meet fellow publishers there. Kiwa already has agreements with Penguin, Random House, Hachette, Egmont, Walker Books, Harper Collins and many independent authors.

Kiwa’s Vice-President Roger Shakes says that by 2012 around 20% of all books sales will come from eBooks, Kiwa is looking forward to expanding production using its Q Book format.

“The iPad, and its full colour screen, is proving to be a game changer,” he says. “It certainly allows Q Books to be interactive in many ways.”