Indiana University, School of Library and Information Science

In this Early Career Research project, Dr. Yuerong Hu at Indiana University Bloomington’s Department of Information and Library Science will focus on early childhood STEM books. Conducted in partnership with the Early Childhood Center and the Center for Survey Research at Indiana University, the project will examine an emerging sub-genre that introduces advanced scientific topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum physics to children ages 0-6. These books have gained visibility through digital marketplaces and social media, yet little empirical research has examined how they are circulated, interpreted, and used by caregivers, librarians, and educators. The project will conduct a mixed-method, multi-stakeholder investigation to advance understanding of early childhood STEM literature and support libraries and families in fostering meaningful early engagement with science.