JOURNAL ARTICLE

YouTube Read-Alouds: A Case Study in Picture Books.

  • Published In: Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures, 2025, v. 17, n. 1. P. 14 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Pierre, Charis St. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines YouTube "read-aloud" channels as a distinct form of picture-book engagement, focusing on two popular channels, @AwniesHouse and @KidTimeStoryTime. Unlike other BookTube channels that emphasize reviews, these channels feature adults reading copyrighted picture books aloud in their entirety, often with dramatized voices and occasional multimedia additions, making YouTube a major free repository for full picture-book access. The study analyzes how these channels mediate interaction with picture books differently from traditional parent–child or classroom reading, highlighting limitations in interactivity, tactility, and personalized mediation due to the fixed, screen-based format. While @AwniesHouse simulates a home reading environment with straightforward narration, @KidTimeStoryTime adopts a classroom-style performance with puppets and commentary, illustrating varied approaches within the genre. The article concludes that YouTube read-alouds represent a unique, multimodal remediation of picture-book reading with significant implications for accessibility and the nature of children's literary experiences.

Additional Information

  • Source:Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures. 2025/06, Vol. 17, Issue 1, p14
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Arts and Entertainment
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1920-2601
  • DOI:10.3138/jeunesse-2024-0016
  • Accession Number:186805003
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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