Last week, I was delighted to see that LOVE IS KIND was the featured story time for Australian book store chain Koorong’s new virtual story time series. Their line up has been quite impressive with books featured by the likes of Max Lucado and Rick Warren so, as you can imagine, Little Owl and I were very excited to be in the line up.
The story times, read by Petronella and her adorable companion, Charlie the monkey, are fun to watch and I really enjoyed how she read LOVE IS KIND. In fact, I thought she did such a good job that I it might be worthwhile to reflect on what exactly, in my opinion, made her reading so delightful and what we, as potential virtual story time readers, might extract and learn from her charming expertise.
Here now, inspired by this story time, are five tips for making your virtual read-aloud the best it can be:
Tip #1: Choose a reading spot that has good lighting (not overly back lit) and a pleasant, but not distracting background. Her bookshelf background was perfect, but the background can also be solid. For example, I’ve done virtual storytimes against the rich brown background of my porch shingles and also against the warm creamy yellow of my living room.
Tip #2: Keep the introduction simple and include any permissions wording required by the publisher. (Check the publisher’s website for this, as each has their own specifications.)
Tip #3: Don’t rush as you read and be sure to use lots of expression (but in a natural, not overdone way.)
Tip #4: Add even more richness by incorporating different voices for each character. You might even consider taking this to the next level, as Petronella does in her reading of LOVE IS KIND, by adding a subtle expression or action for various characters. For example, each time Rabbit spoke, Petronella snuffled and scrunched her nose (just slightly) before reading her lines.
Tip #5: Pause before each page turn to allow the readers to really immerse themselves in the illustrations.
Tip #6: At choice moments, it’s okay and even fun to infuse the story with a couple of thoughtful questions or comments. For example, Petronella pauses a couple of times to say things like, “Oh no, poor Little Owl!” or “What do you think will happen now?”
Tip #7: Have fun!
Thanks again, Koorong, for featuring LOVE IS KIND and thank you, Petronella, for reading it so delightfully. If you are in Australia, I hope you will pop in at your nearest Koorong to pick up your very own copy. And if you live here in the US or Canada, I hope you will consider getting this sweet book whose message is both timeless and very timely for someone you love from a vendor in your neck of the woods.
Happy reading, all!
Laura Sassi Tales 
That’s great, mate! 🙂
=) Thank you.
Teachers get to practice this skill everyday, and become mighty good at it. But for us authors who aren’t classroom teachers, it’s a skill that should be practiced. More than anything, I agree with your advise to *not rush.* Nervousness tends to make us go faster than we realize. Good sound advice ❤
And in the *not rushing* category, I find I need to remind myself of that at speaking engagements as well. =) Thanks for your ever thoughtful comments.