Reading through Booktrailers: A Multimodal Approach to Children's Literature in Higher Education

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on experiential, student-centered approaches in higher education, particularly in the field of teacher training. Traditional methods focused on knowledge transmission are increasingly viewed as inadequate for cultivating the skills required of 21st-century educators. This paper explores the integration of booktrailers—a multimodal and creative form of digital storytelling—as an innovative pedagogical tool in higher education, specifically within literacy and children's literature courses for prospective teachers. Booktrailers offer an experiential learning model that enhances reading engagement, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.Drawing on case studies and international research, the study highlights the pedagogical value of booktrailers in preparing future educators to become effective reading mediators. These digital projects not only introduce students to quality children's literature but also foster a deeper, personal relationship with reading. They promote active learning and bridge the gap between analog and digital literacy practices. Empirical evidence from applications at Democritus University of Thrace demonstrates how the collaborative creation of booktrailers cultivates professional competencies such as educational autonomy, design thinking, and reflective practice.Furthermore, the structured implementation of booktrailer workshops allows students to engage in multimodal composition, peer feedback, and self-assessment, aligning with socio-constructivist learning theories. The final products, often disseminated beyond the classroom, serve both as post-reading reflections for students and as pre-reading stimuli for young children, thereby reinforcing reading promotion as a shared, meaningful experience. Ultimately, the cyclical process of the booktrailer—from the book to digital media and back to the book—redefines how literature is approached, positioning booktrailers as a powerful tool for literacy education in the digital age.