'This is My Favorite Book': Exploring Children's Perspectives on Books and Reading

This qualitative study examined kindergarten children's responses to their favorite books and their perspectives on reading at home and school. Data included observations, interviews with teachers, parents, and children, and "My Favorite Book" response sheets completed by children. Children's favorite books reflected various genres, including fictional storybooks, informational books, and adaptations of popular animated films. All the children were active readers who enthusiastically engaged with the texts, demonstrating their ability to negotiate meaning, share their interests, articulate their reasoning, respond based on their experiences, emotions, and imagination, and reflect upon the literacy features of the books. The children valued companionship, pleasure, and improvement of comprehension when they read with teachers, parents, and peers at home and school. However, they expressed a strong desire for more readings by adults, a more diverse selection of books, and involvement in making book purchase decisions. This study sheds light on children's agency and voices regarding the provision of literacy opportunities and the significance of professional development for teachers and parents.