Smories: Stories for kids read by kids

A writer friend of mine and mum of two forwarded on this link with a note: 'why didn't I think of that?!'.

Smories are a website that you could use to keep kids entertained in the back of your car, as the press release says. In fact it was something dreamed up by a couple with kids on a long ride through the Kalahari desert. Simply, they've filmed children reading stories for kids and it's conveniently sorted by age-appropriateness. What I found more interesting is that they accept new stories from writers the world over and you can have them read - ergo, free publicity for budding writers who still get to keep rights.

Kids do make really good readers, putting in a lot of emotion into their reading. I know my daughter will drop what she's doing to see what another child is doing, especially if it is something interesting.

It's only been about two weeks since the launch and the press release says 35,000 videos have been watched. Maybe some of that demographic are mums - even I watched transfixed some of the readings on the site.

Comments

[Florence from August in Paris]

love it too ! unfortunately my daughter is not good at english right now... should definitely suggest fellow french mums to do the same ! Now to read your blog !

[MamaSez]

Yes there's lots of potential there. Perhaps you could use it as a tool to teach them English. If you start with the simple vids for 3-4 year olds and then work your way upwards?

[Zoe @ Playing by the book]

Just found your blog via Tarie and it's great! So pleased to have discovered you :-)

[MamaSez]

Thanks Zoe. Playing by the book sounds really great too, your girls are lucky!

[Christine Lim Simpson]

Brilliant staff! I had filmed my girls reciting and it was fun to watch them. Glad that someone took the idea further. :)

[Daphne]

Grumpy old witch alert, but I'm not keen on children reading stories. Not many of us are good readers (I certainly am not) and I've yet to meet a child whose reading managed to hold my interest. (I think parents get a thrill hearing their kids read but that has nothing to do with their ability to engage as readers).

I have a story that's been accepted by smories (out in August) and that makes me very happy of course. However, I'm still doubtful about the fact that it will only be available as read by a child. I think all the stories on the website should also be available in text form. The organisers of smories say they are considering this.

[MamaSez]

Daphne, I don't think this is the be-all and end-all but just another way of 'consuming' children's literature. Hey as long as kids are listening to your story...do let us know when the story is out and we'll let you know what we thought.

[Rashida]

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

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[Online Book Store]

Hello,

I think it's a great treat for kids by kids. This is a good move for kids to become a really good readers. Thanks for sharing this information with me.

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[mommy and me classes in nj]

Thanks for such a wonderful post. Kids love entertaining activities throughout the day.