Are Digital Books Really Designed for Young Children? A Content Analysis of Turkish Digital Books

Access to developmentally appropriate books is essential for fostering early literacy, especially for preschoolers from homes with limited literacy resources. Digital libraries offer promising solutions by providing free and accessible reading materials; however, their suitability for very young children requires careful evaluation. This study examines the developmental appropriateness of Turkish digital books targeted at preschool-aged children (3-5 years) in comparison with titles for school-age children (6-8 years). Key features analyzed include text difficulty (story length and number of words per page), text-to-picture ratio, and the consistency of interactive elements story content. Findings reveal that 90% of the books analyzed contain more than 250 words, and 73% include more than five lines of text per page-conditions that often make text more prominent than illustrations and potentially too demanding for preschoolers. Additionally, 49% of interactive hotspots lack meaningful alignment with the story, reducing their educational value. Importantly, no significant differences were found between books recommended for preschoolers and those intended for older children. Given that many children use digital books independently, without adult guidance, this study highlights the urgent need for more developmentally appropriate digital content to support early literacy among preschool-aged learners.