Development of Leveled Picture Storybook Media Based on Aceh Besar Culture

This study addresses the limited availability of literacy media appropriate for lower-grade elementary students and the lack of contextual reading materials incorporating local Aceh Besar culture, which reduces the relevance of literacy learning. This research aims to develop and determine the feasibility of a leveled picture storybook based on Aceh Besar culture for lower-grade elementary school students. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of leveled reading materials with local cultural content as a contextual literacy medium, which is still rarely developed systematically.This study employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the ADDIE model, consisting of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation stages. The research subjects included material experts, media experts, language experts, teachers, and lower-grade elementary students. Data were collected through validation sheets, questionnaires to measure practicality, and interviews. The results showed that the developed media achieved a high level of feasibility based on expert validation, with scores of 91.66% from Indonesian language experts (very feasible), 75% from Acehnese language experts (feasible), and 93.12% from media experts (very feasible). In addition, the practicality test results indicated that the media was rated very practical by teachers, with average scores of 91.66% (Grade I), 95% (Grade II), and 96.67% (Grade III), and received positive responses from students. The media demonstrates potential to improve students’ reading literacy while fostering early awareness of local culture. This study contributes by developing a leveled picture storybook integrating structured reading levels with Aceh Besar cultural content, providing a contextual and culturally responsive literacy medium that supports reading development and cultural awareness. However, the study is limited to feasibility and practicality testing on a small scale; therefore, future research should examine its effectiveness in broader contexts with larger samples.