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Personalized Video Book for the Kids

January 14, 2013 by Robin 46 Comments

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A few months ago my son and his wife moved back to California taking my one and only grandchild, Lily. From the day she was born her and I spent a lot of time together, I watched her while her parents worked. Our days were filled with a lot of spoiling and cuddling. One of our favorite things to do together was to snuggle up and read. The first book I ever bought her and it was her favorite, was “Is Your Mama a Llama?” written by Deborah Guarino. We spent hours reading and rereading this book, it’s literally falling apart at the seams. By the way this is a really good children’s book, fun to read!

Is Your Mama a Llama? on Amazon



A couple of weeks ago I was unpacking some boxes (we moved the same time they moved back to CA) and I found Lily Bugs favorite book. Just seeing that book made me miss her cute little face and our time together reading. I have so many great memories reading to her but the sad part is she’s so young (21 months) and I don’t think she will remember it. 
Since this blog is all about “Creativity Inspired by Frustration”, and this is a big frustration of mine, I decided to put my thinking cap on and come up with a creative solution. Many things popped into my head, the major contenders were that  I could schedule reading time with her once a week via the phone or by Skype or I could buy those books that you record yourself reading. The problems were that this could get really expensive, especially if I was going to do it every week and if I were going to do it by phone or skype she wouldn’t be able to see the book very well. 
I continued brainstorming ideas when I stumbled across a program already installed on my computer, “Movie Maker”. What a great solution! I could take pictures of the book and then read it to her so that she could follow along. This was a win-win, I wouldn’t have to buy one of those pricey recordable books and she could see and hear me read to her as often as she wanted.

I’m excited to say I just complete the first book “Is Your Mama a Llama?” and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. I  really wanted to share it with all of you, but I’m waiting for an answer from Scholastic Books to make sure I’m not infringing on any copyright laws. Once I get the go ahead from them I will place the link in this post. For now I have uploaded it to my youtube account with a private setting so that ONLY Lily can see it.

I was thinking this could be really fun to do for your little ones that are still at home. You could record library books so that you don’t have to go out and buy them especially if the kids really like them. They could listen to the story over and over. I think this would be a really special thing to look back on when they are older and let their own kids watch. 

How to Make Your Own Video Book (Basics):

  1. Pick a book.
  2. Take pictures of each page including the cover.
  3. Upload them to your computer.
  4. Download Movie Maker for FREE.
  5. Open Movie Maker
  6. Click on “Title” this is where you can place a personal message or the date of the video.
  7. Click on “Add Videos and Photos” this is where you will upload the pictures that you saved earlier.
  8. Double check that the pictures are in the correct order.
  9. Make sure that the cursor is positioned at the beginning of the video.
  10. Click on “Record Narration”. Press “Record” and begin reading the story.
  11. Click on “Stop” when you are done.
  12. “Save” 
  13. Click on “YouTube” to upload to your youtube account.

Tips:

  • The page is changing faster then you can read it. Move the cursor to the beginning of the picture that you want to change. Click on “Edit” and change the “Duration”
  • I like to do an individual recording for each page. It’s a little easier to estimate the duration of an individual page then it is to do it for the whole book.
  • Play around with the program. There are a lot of neat things that you can do to make your books shine.
  • Make sure when you upload your video to youtube that you set it as private unless you have authorization from the publisher. You don’t want any copyright infringements.
I would love to see what you come up with so please come back and share the private link to your video (via email: [email protected]). Have fun!

Where I’ve linked:

Filed Under: Family Fun, Technology Tagged With: diy project, family, how to, kids

Comments

  1. Pears says

    January 14, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    So excited to stop by and follow your blog! I am coming over from a blog hop and am a new follower. I would love if you stopped by and did the same! PS. I love your social symbols in the top right.

    Reply
    • Robin @ Fluster Buster says

      January 14, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Thank you Elise, I'm following you back.

      Reply
  2. Suzan Sweatman says

    January 15, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Hi Robin – came by to thank you for leaving a nice comment on my blog – I'm now following you!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:13 am

      Suzan – you didn't have to thank me you earned it. I'm following you back.

      Reply
  3. Peggy~PJH Designs says

    January 16, 2013 at 1:10 am

    What a great idea! I know it must be hard to be so far from your grandchild. Very creative solution. Thanks for linking up at Transformed Tuesday. I'm a new follower. Hugs, Peggy

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:15 am

      Thank you! Being away from her is pretty rough. I have all boys and I was really enjoying doing all of those girlie things with her.

      Reply
  4. Jill says

    January 16, 2013 at 1:12 am

    What a great way to be able to read to your grandchild from afar!!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:33 am

      Thank you Jill – You have a great week too.

      Reply
  5. Chloe West says

    January 17, 2013 at 12:38 am

    What a fun idea! Too cute. 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to the Craft Yourself Crazy link party!
    Chloe

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:16 am

      It was a lot of fun to make too.

      Reply
  6. Maryann says

    January 17, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Found you on Thirsty Thursday!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:17 am

      I'm glad you found me, I hope you'll be back.

      Reply
  7. Randomly Fascinated says

    January 17, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    Love this idea! Very Cute and a great way to stay connected to your grandchild!
    I would love it if you would share this (and anything else you have been working on) at my linky party!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:18 am

      Thank you for the invite – I will be sure to link up to your party on Friday

      Reply
  8. Designed Decor says

    January 17, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    What an awesome find! I now wish my kids were young again. Thanks for linking to my party! I love the picture too!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 18, 2013 at 1:22 am

      Making the video was a lot of fun. My granddaughter loved it. The picture is of her. Thanks for coming by.

      Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    What a great idea and we love "Is your Mama a Lama?" Ours is also falling apart at the seams!

    Your newest follower from Designed Decor blog hop! 🙂 We have a link party going today and would love for you to join in too (we give away free ad space)!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Is you Mama a Llama? is such a fun story to the little ones to hear and fun for us to read.

      Reply
  10. Ann Cutts says

    January 18, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    really cool idea
    Ann xxx

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      It's so easy to do and a great memory maker.

      Reply
  11. [email protected] Junk says

    January 19, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    That's a fantastic idea!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      I'm glad you liked it Cyndee.

      Reply
  12. Tammy says

    January 20, 2013 at 2:56 am

    Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      Thank you for hosting and letting me share this idea.

      Reply
  13. Stephanie Michaels says

    January 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    What a great idea. They are only little for a minute, mine is 20 months and 3 days! He would love this. Thanks so much for sharing on Super Sweet Saturday.
    Steph
    swtboutique.com

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Hold on to every minute you can, they grow up sooooo fast. My oldest is 25 and it seems like yesterday he was little.

      Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    January 20, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    This is a fabulous idea! Isn't it amazing how a grandchild can change your entire life???? Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      I never new how wonderful it would be to be a glama!

      Reply
  15. Katherines Corner says

    January 20, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    a wonderful idea! My husband has been telling me I should share some of my life stories and have him record them for our grandchildren. I know you must miss her. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      I miss her terribly! I was also thinking of doing some videos to give to my children of funny things that they did when they were younger.

      Reply
  16. Sugar Aunts says

    January 22, 2013 at 12:15 am

    What a special thing for your grandchild. I am sure she will cherish this for years to come! Thanks for sharing on Share it Saturday

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      She is loving it. When we skype her she always talks about Is Your Mama a Llama.

      Reply
  17. Jann Olson says

    January 23, 2013 at 2:50 am

    What a great idea! Your little grandie is a real doll and what a special bonding you will have with her. Thanks so much for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:38 pm

      Thank you, we think she is pretty darn cute. It is so nice to be able to continue this special time with.

      Reply
  18. The Lovely Mrs. P says

    January 23, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Cute idea! Watch out Hallmark! Thanks for linking up! I am your newest fan!
    Kim

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      Yea this just might put Hallmark out of business, NOT! But this is a really fun way to bond with those that are far away.

      Reply
  19. Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says

    January 23, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    This is such a great idea!! I'm so glad you shared at Romance on a dime.

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      So happy that you liked it.

      Reply
  20. Theresa says

    January 23, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    What a great idea! Thanks for linking up on Inspiration Spotlight @ DearCreatives.com Hope to see you again soon!

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Thank you for allowing me to share this on your blog.

      Reply
  21. Kathy Moody says

    January 25, 2013 at 4:00 am

    What a great idea, and such a precious photo!! Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
    Hugs
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you, this is one of my favorite photos of her.

      Reply
  22. Amy R says

    January 25, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    Thank you for linking up to last week's Get Crafty Friday linky party! Your video photo book was featured in this week's post. I hope you check it out and grab a button =)

    Amy @ The Stitchin' Mommy

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you for the feature. I have grabbed your button.

      Reply
  23. THREE MANGO SEEDS says

    January 27, 2013 at 1:15 am

    I love this! Such a great idea — thank you so much for linking up. I'm featuring you tomorrow. 🙂 Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds (IT'S PARTY TIME)

    Reply
    • Fluster Buster says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      I'm so happy that you liked it. Thank you for allowing me to share it on It's Party Time.

      Reply

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