  Joint reading is a key activity for early learners, with caregiver-child
interactions such as questioning and feedback playing an essential role in
children's cognitive and linguistic development. However, for some parents,
actively engaging children in storytelling can be challenging. To address this,
we introduce TaleMate a platform designed to enhance shared reading by
leveraging conversational agents that have been shown to support children's
engagement and learning. TaleMate enables a dynamic, participatory reading
experience where parents and children can choose which characters they wish to
embody. Moreover, the system navigates the challenges posed by digital reading
tools, such as decreased parent-child interaction, and builds upon the benefits
of traditional and digital reading techniques. TaleMate offers an innovative
approach to fostering early reading habits, bridging the gap between
traditional joint reading practices and the digital reading landscape.
