A slew of big tech and media companies are entering the electronic book market in various ways, including Amazon, Google, Sony, Apple, and, most recently, Microsoft. Now you can add Disney to the mix. The entertainment giant has launched a digital books site offering over 500 interactive, multi-media e-books for children.

Disney is selling access to the new and classic books via subscription (there is some free material as well). The books feature the ability to click on words to get the pronunciation and definitions. They also come equipped with voices and sound effects, and a create-your-own story function.

Much of Disney's digital book selection is, perhaps predictably, tied to movies and TV shows, including The Little Mermaid, Wall-E, Hannah Montana, and High School Musical.

CrunchGear, for one, isn't amused by Disney's new digital book push, writing:

You can add up to three kids for $8.95 per month or $79 for the year. $8.95 so your kid can prop a laptop on your kids bed and let him or her read Toy Story while you fix yourself a Tom Collins. Seriously. Is this what Disney wants? We have enough trouble convincing the kids not to ask to play Mario Kart Wii all day let alone equate reading with dragging a pointer across a laptop screen.

Follow my updates on Twitter.