Read me a story.

December 15, 2008 12:04 PM

Something for a kid you know, or your own inner child. Speakaboos offers online stories with the written word below the illustrations, as if read from a book: fables, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, folk tales, lullabies. You can watch the stories without registering. You will have to sign-up (for free) for the future function of recording your own "that will allow kids and parents to record their own voices reading (or singing!) their favorite story, song, or nursery rhyme." Christmas stories.

About the creators of the site. The readers of the stories.

posted by nickyskye (10 comments total)

omg stay out of my brain I invented this LAST NIGHT! (except it was live action and on YouTube)
posted by DU at 12:11 PM on December 15, 2008

Kevin Bacon is now one degree away from Arthur.
posted by not_on_display at 12:13 PM on December 15, 2008

I like the internets and all, but when I think back on the hours I've spent cuddled up with my kids reading them books at bedtime, this seems very very sad to me.

It does, however, seem like a great substitute for World Of Warcraft: The Dora Edition
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 12:27 PM on December 15, 2008

Oh jeeze the Crispin Glover ones are truly surreal and creepy!
posted by noriyori at 12:53 PM on December 15, 2008

cuddled up with my kids reading them books at bedtime

I think the cuddling can still be there, just in front of the computer. And lots of kids don't have parents who read to them, ever, just too busy, too tired after work.
posted by nickyskye at 1:05 PM on December 15, 2008

Reading a children's story takes on the order of 5 minutes. If you can't find the time and energy to read to your kids every night something is seriously wrong with you.
posted by lucasks at 1:52 PM on December 15, 2008

It doesn't have to be either/or. With Christmas break coming up, I plan to show this site to my daughter as well as cuddle up with her and read together. I'm looking forward to being able to record a story ourselves.
posted by Sailormom at 2:37 PM on December 15, 2008

Reading a children's story takes on the order of 5 minutes. If you can't find the time and energy to read to your kids every night something is seriously wrong with you.

First of all, you are supposed to read to them for 20 minutes every day (which I do *smug look*). And second of all, if you have more than one child, particularly of ages that won't enjoy the same books, this can help.

But actually, I wouldn't use it for that. I'd use it because my kids love using the computer and love books. Why not do both together sometimes?
posted by DU at 5:33 PM on December 15, 2008

I hate how much kids stare at screens all day, my kid doesn't play video games and watches a video once a week tops. On the other hand, especially when she or I are sick, this is a nice alternative to TV.
posted by serazin at 8:23 PM on December 15, 2008

nickyskye: Something for a kid you know...

You know, for kids!
posted by not_on_display at 7:51 AM on December 16, 2008