Stella Choi
An educational introduction to digital literacy for kids ages 5–8.
When Leif taps his iPad, he’s whisked into Screenville—where hoverboard squirrels zoom by, facts float in the air, and Birdie the AI seems to know everything. But some of Birdie’s answers don’t add up, and soon Leif must figure out how to tell what’s true.
On a quest to find the missing Wisdom Tree, Leif learns the power of slowing down, asking questions, and checking with a trusted adult. Should Leif Trust Birdie the AI? helps kids navigate technology with curiosity, care, and confidence.
Tap a character to learn more — and get a quick digital-literacy tip.
Curated studies and guides for educators & families.
Design your own hoverboard squirrel and Wise Owlbot. Print, color, and share!
A simple family/classroom pledge you can print & post.
PDF coming soonA short, friendly bibliography. Each item has a quick note for grown-ups and a kid-friendly takeaway.
For grown-ups: 6–10-year-olds attributed mental/social traits and some moral agency to a familiar voice assistant; results help explain why kids may over-trust confident AI answers.
Kid-friendly: A talking speaker like Alexa or Google may sound like a human, but it is a learning tool that can still make mistakes!
For grown-ups: Proposes ECE AI-literacy via three competencies—AI knowledge, skills, and attitudes—with guidance on goals, content, methods, and assessment.
Kid-friendly: Learn what AI is, how to use it kindly, and when to ask for help.
For grown-ups: A conceptual roadmap for introducing core AI ideas in early years—rationales, age-appropriate concepts, and classroom approaches.
Kid-friendly: AI is a tool we can learn about—ask how it works and check its answers.
For grown-ups: Large parent survey + case studies on 0–5s’ tablet use; highlights creation, communication, and safety skills developing in early childhood.
Kid-friendly: Tablets are for learning and fun—use them safely with a grown-up.
For grown-ups: Synthesizes research on 0–8s across home/school; themes include parental mediation, media engagement, and home-school knowledge exchange.
Kid-friendly: Be kind and mindful of the way that you show up–online and offline.
For grown-ups: Most studies report benefits (operational skills, early literacy, socio-emotional, STEM) with some risks (distraction, over-confidence); effective mediation matters.
Kid-friendly: Tech is not good or bad in and of itself; it’s how you use it that matters!
Stella offers classroom readings, interactive activities, and Q&A for schools, libraries, and bookstores. Please use the contact form for more information!
Join Yale student and author Stella Choi for a fun, interactive event all about using technology wisely! Enjoy a lively read-aloud of Should Leif Trust Birdie the AI?, then create your own AI helper in a hands-on craft, add your promise to our Digital Literacy Pledge Wall, and take home tips for smart tech use. Free signed book giveaway! Perfect for ages 5–8 and their families.