The iPad has enjoyed more than its fair share of hyperbole since its launch.

However, perhaps the praise heaped upon it by a school superintendent from Auburn, Maine, might represent the pinnacle (thus far, at least).

CNN and WGME reported that every elementary public school student in Auburn, Maine, will be getting a new iPad 2.

The iPad will become a permanent tool of learning for these children.

But perhaps those who haven't quite kept up with technology's pace will be perturbed at one comment made by Auburn schools Superintendent Tom Morrill. For he declared that the iPad is "even more important than a book."

Of course, the iPad contains within itself plenty of books. Even if those books can be quite hard to read in sunlight.

But Morrill's contention seems to be that the days of the book as being held up as some indispensable tool of learning might just be coming to an end.

Books have held such endearing power for a long time. So many people have been brought up to bury their noses in books in order to progress in life. It is as if within the world's libraries resided all the secrets of success, if only you could find them.

Now it seems that other tools, using such revolutionary (and magical) elements such as pictures, colors, and things that move about and even talk to you with the mere touch of your finger, might become the new tools of education.

Naturally, there will be those who will say that Morrill is just elated that he got a deal from Apple, giving him each iPad for a mere $475 a piece. Yes, almost a Groupon offering.

There seems also to be those who believe that little kids will never be able to look after sophisticated gadgets like the iPad.

But some might be cheered that even the youngest are now being taught using tomorrow's media, rather than those of centuries gone by.

However, let's hope the supe keeps them away from any video games. For a recent study at Oxford University showed that gamers are much less likely to go to college.