Visual processing of pictures and letters in alphabet books and the implications for letter learning.

Highlights: [•] A RCT was carried out to test effects of alphabet book sharing on learning letters. [•] It was also tested how the visual processing of pictures and letters affected learning. [•] Especially pictures of human and anthropomorphic interfered with learning letters. [•] Only a small part of letters attracted children’s visual attention. [•] Being familiar with distinctive features of letters may be an important step in learning letters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]