Program Description

"Through 26 interactive storybooks about funny, relatable animals, Story Friends effectively boosts the early language skills that predict success in reading. The program encourages active response: each storybook provides up to 20 opportunities for interaction, as children answer vocabulary prompts and comprehension questions."

Cost

One classroom kit costs $1,199.95

Intended Population

• Intervention

Grade

• Elementary School

Intended Group Size

• Small group

ELL/DLL

• Unspecified

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Computer-Based Delivery

• Partial

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• No

Accelerated Learning

• No

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Yes

Error Correction Built In

• Unspecified

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

Literature review revealed two studies with mixed effects for vocabulary growth and no significant effects for reading comprehension.

Study Citations

Goldstein, H., Kelley, E., Greenwood, C., McCune, L., Carta, J., Atwater, J., … Spencer, T. (2016). Embedded instruction improves vocabulary learning during automated storybook reading among high-risk preschoolers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 59(3), 484–500. doi:10.1044/2015_jslhr-l-15-0227

Kelley, E. S., Goldstein, H., Spencer, T. D., & Sherman, A. (2015). Effects of automated Tier 2 storybook intervention on vocabulary and comprehension learning in preschool children with limited oral language skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 31, 47-61. doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2014.12.004

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Insufficient evidence

Additional Reviews

• https://products.brookespublishing.com/Assessment-of-Story-Comprehension-Set-P1089.aspx