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Representation in Best-Selling Preschool Storybook Apps in the United States

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Title: Representation in Best-Selling Preschool Storybook Apps in the United States
Language: English
Authors: Lori Bruner (ORCID 0000-0001-8845-0206), Natalia I. Kucirkova (ORCID 0000-0002-2805-1745)
Source: Journal of Children and Media. 2025 19(1):213-232.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Childrens Literature, Computer Software, Handheld Devices, Computer Oriented Programs, Disproportionate Representation, Race, Sex, Disabilities, Vocabulary Development, Early Reading, Diversity, Reader Text Relationship, Reading Materials
DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2024.2402273
ISSN: 1748-2798
1748-2801
Abstract: In this study, we examine preschool storybook apps to identify the types of characters represented in these stories and how they relate to design quality and opportunities for children to build their vocabularies -- a significant predictor of later success in learning to read. Specifically, we sought to understand (a) how storybook apps portray gender, race, and disability status; (b) how these characteristics compare in apps that contain the most and least opportunities to learn vocabulary; and (c) how these characteristics compare in apps with design features that might provide additional support for children's word learning. To do so, we conducted a content analysis of 70 best-selling preschool storybook apps in the United States. Results indicate that most protagonists in these apps are animals, while human characters are overwhelmingly white, able-bodied, and male, particularly in apps with the highest percentage of advanced vocabulary and design qualities that are most likely to support children's word learning. Thus, apps with the greatest learning potential lack human diversity, raising significant concerns for inclusive education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1459150
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Representation in Best-Selling Preschool Storybook Apps in the United States
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lori+Bruner%22">Lori Bruner</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8845-0206">0000-0001-8845-0206</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Natalia+I%2E+Kucirkova%22">Natalia I. Kucirkova</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2805-1745">0000-0002-2805-1745</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Children+and+Media%22"><i>Journal of Children and Media</i></searchLink>. 2025 19(1):213-232.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Childrens+Literature%22">Childrens Literature</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Software%22">Computer Software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Handheld+Devices%22">Handheld Devices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Oriented+Programs%22">Computer Oriented Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disproportionate+Representation%22">Disproportionate Representation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex%22">Sex</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disabilities%22">Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocabulary+Development%22">Vocabulary Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Reading%22">Early Reading</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity%22">Diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reader+Text+Relationship%22">Reader Text Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Materials%22">Reading Materials</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/17482798.2024.2402273
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  Data: In this study, we examine preschool storybook apps to identify the types of characters represented in these stories and how they relate to design quality and opportunities for children to build their vocabularies -- a significant predictor of later success in learning to read. Specifically, we sought to understand (a) how storybook apps portray gender, race, and disability status; (b) how these characteristics compare in apps that contain the most and least opportunities to learn vocabulary; and (c) how these characteristics compare in apps with design features that might provide additional support for children's word learning. To do so, we conducted a content analysis of 70 best-selling preschool storybook apps in the United States. Results indicate that most protagonists in these apps are animals, while human characters are overwhelmingly white, able-bodied, and male, particularly in apps with the highest percentage of advanced vocabulary and design qualities that are most likely to support children's word learning. Thus, apps with the greatest learning potential lack human diversity, raising significant concerns for inclusive education.
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        Value: 10.1080/17482798.2024.2402273
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 213
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Childrens Literature
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Software
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      – SubjectFull: Handheld Devices
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Oriented Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Disproportionate Representation
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      – SubjectFull: Race
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      – SubjectFull: Sex
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vocabulary Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Reading
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      – SubjectFull: Diversity
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      – SubjectFull: Reader Text Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Materials
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      – TitleFull: Representation in Best-Selling Preschool Storybook Apps in the United States
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