According to this post from Macity (Italian blog) Apple has started contacting publishers in regards of the imminent iPad launch, scheduled for late April. It seems like Apple is pushing for digital version of school books, a market which (personal experience) is really bloated in Italy. The launch of the Italian iBooks Store is rumored to happen this fall, and school books should be one the strongest selling points of the initial lineup.
Could Apple really save or reinvent the Italian publishing industry? Starting with the school system, I do hope so.