Research

Our research specifies the associations between e-book features, children’s characteristics and diverse reading contexts. The research members of our Collective have identified four interdisciplinary themes that cut across narratives in digital or non-digital formats and that require research in terms of both positive and negative effects:

children’s attention and engagement
materiality and embodiment
personalization and customization
interactivity and multimedia

PODCAST about e-books

BLOG on why e-books are important

2023 REPORT on quality e-reading platforms

Featured publications

What are we downloading for our children?

Sari, B., Takacs, Z. K., & Bus, A. G. (2017). What are we downloading for our children? Best-selling children’s apps in four European countries. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 1468798417744057.
Open pdf file of publication here

Interactive electronic storybooks for kindergartners to promote vocabulary growth

Smeets, D. J., & Bus, A. G. (2012). Interactive electronic storybooks for kindergartners to promote vocabulary growth. Journal of experimental child psychology, 112(1), 36-55.

Picture storybooks go digital: Pros and cons

Smeets, D. J., & Bus, A. G. (2013). Picture storybooks go digital: Pros and cons. Reading instruction in the age of common core standards, 176-189.
Open new page with article here.

Can the computer replace the adult for storybook reading? A meta-analysis on the effects of multimedia stories as compared to sharing print stories with an adult

Takacs, Z. K., Swart, E. K., & Bus, A. G. (2014). Can the computer replace the adult for storybook reading? A meta-analysis on the effects of multimedia stories as compared to sharing print stories with an adult. Frontiers in Psychology, 5.
Full article here

Benefits and pitfalls of multimedia and interactive features in technology-enhanced storybooks: A meta-analysis.

Takacs, Z. K., Swart, E. K., & Bus, A. G. (2015). Benefits and pitfalls of multimedia and interactive features in technology-enhanced storybooks: A meta-analysis. Review of educational research, 85(4), 698-739.
Full article here

Low-income immigrant pupils learning vocabulary through digital picture storybooks

Verhallen, M. J., & Bus, A. G. (2010). Low-income immigrant pupils learning vocabulary through digital picture storybooks. Journal of educational psychology, 102(1), 54.
Read full article here

Personalisation: A theoretical possibility to reinvigorate children’s interest in storybook reading and facilitate greater book diversity

Kucirkova, N. (2016). Personalisation: A theoretical possibility to reinvigorate children’s interest in storybook reading and facilitate greater book diversity. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 17(3), 304-316.
Read article here

Digital personalization in early childhood: Impact on childhood

Kucirkova, N. (2017). Digital personalization in early childhood: Impact on childhood: Bloomsbury Publishing.
Read full article here

Free access to multilingual digital books: a tool to boost book reading?

Bus, A. G., Broekhof, K., & Vaessen, K. (2023, June). Free access to multilingual digital books: a tool to increase book reading?. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 8, p. 1120204). Frontiers.
Open access here.

To see the full list of our recommended publications, click here

Featured research projects

SAYL

Reading is having adventures. Many children miss the chance of this adventure as they don’t have access to literature in their language. In SAYL, we will give children aged 3-5 access to stories, by offering digital books in multiple languages.

Personalised Stories

UCL

This project investigates the benefits and limitations of personalisation in children’s digital products, with a specific focus on personalised books.The project was funded by ESRC and hosted by UCL Institute of Education (IOE) 2017-2019.

VEBB

This project uses storybook apps and print picture books in language-focused reading activities in kindergartens. The project developed an app that kindergarten staff can use to consider to what extent specific features of e-books are appropriate for such activities.

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