Parental selection of shared reading materials: a scoping review

Shared book reading (SBR) contributes to key developmental outcomes in children. However, little is known about how parents choose books and how those choices shape parent–child interactions. This scoping review synthesizes findings from 18 studies retrieved from five databases, focusing on three main book characteristics–genre, format, and complexity–and their influence on parental selection and SBR dynamics. The studies involved 2,345 parents of typically developing children as young as 12 months to 6 years of age. No definitive pattern in preferences was noted. Parents leaned toward a preference for narrative books and books with socio-emotional themes. A trend toward preferences for print books with text over other formats was noted. Research on how preferences translate into actual parent–child interactions remains sparse. Future research should examine how parental factors, as well as children’s developmental needs, interact with these book characteristics to influence SBR processes and outcomes.