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Part 2 of 2: In this final series post, two more video creators will inspire you: KidLitTV and its breezy offshoot, KidLitKat. And before you go, discover three free mobile apps to inspire YOU to create videos. The apps are easy-peasy to learn and share. You CAN do it!!!
KidLit TV
Kid Lit TV is an exciting and informative destination for authors, illustrators, teachers, publishers, and anyone with a passion for children's literature. ~ Children's Book Council It's hard to believe this diverse group of online literacy advocates burst onto the scene just one year ago. KidLit TV's multimedia website reinforces fun, creative ways to reinforce a love of reading that kids will carry with them into adulthood. As an author, I appreciate the group's camaraderie and generous sharing of resources and knowledge. There are so many opportunities to meet other literacy advocates and learn about videography in this dynamic community. I'm amazed at what KidLit TV has accomplished in just 12 months. There's inspiration aplenty in its array of video programs for children, family members, educators, librarians, and creatives. Read on to find a sampling of what's offered. 
KidLit TV celebrates its first year on 16 November 2015.
Story Makers and Field Trips
A talk show highlighting the best in children's authors and illustrators. Children get up close and personal with their favorite authors, like this interview with Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson Series. Imagine the child who struggles with reading and hears Riordan say he writes for those who find reading a huge challenge. KidLit TV is also all about kids having fun as they discover books. Children engage in kid-centric activities, like making Twinkie pies with author Kat Yeh.
Read Out Louds
There's something magical about time spent sharing books with kids. Maybe huddling around a group seated on the floor in the classroom. Or cozying up on the sofa for a 1:1 read. Don't even get me started about the joys of a bedtime read! The experience of reading to children is more than just learning...it's a bonding that comes about with sharing something so special, so beloved. Through Kid Lit TV's Read Out Louds programming, children are immersed in another type of experience when they see and hear their favorite authors, like Ame Dyckman, read a book.
Red Carpet Events Ever wonder what it’s like at at those glam literary events? I'd love to be a fly on the wall to see what it's like, but not have to get all coiffed and frocked. And now you can, too! Go behind the scenes with Kid Lit TV for interviews and back-stage access. Tutorials In addition to reaching out to children, KidLit TV pumps up your video-making skills. I learned so much from this amazing community. They are super-generous in sharing resources, support, and knowledge on Facebook, through how-to tutorials in its newsletters and more. 
Birthday Bash
On 16 November, KidLit TV celebrates its first birthday. Pop over to the KidLit TV website, and join the fun. If you can't make it to the Big Apple for the event like me, can catch a live stream of these kid-friendly festivities on Periscope @KidLitTV and on Twitter @NYMediaWorks.
KidLit Kat
KidLit Kat, hosted by Katya Szewczuk, is an offshoot of Kid Lit TV. This fun, breezy site focuses on books and literacy topics for children, family members and educators. You'll find inspiration, book reviews, product unboxing, and just plain fun. And Katya is, well, she's the Kat's meow. I especially like the way KidLit Kat encourages collaboration under its hash tag #NewYoutubersUnite. Content creators of all stripes come together via this hash tag on social media to support each other support and share YouTube videos.
Connect with KidLit Kat
YouTube
Learn More
Free video apps I won't claim it’s easy to create videos. It takes time, and there's that learning curve. But it IS worth the effort. Plus, there are user-friendly, free mobile apps that allow anyone with a tablet or smart phone to produce videos to help children learn or write a special thank-you note to Grandpa. Read on to discover three free mobile apps that are simple to learn and easy to share with a you a code to embed on a website or a link to copy and paste into a text or email. You’ll learn how to use these apps in a heartbeat and have fun, too. Yes, you will!
Shadow Puppet Edu
Adobe Voice Edu These apps on Apple’s mobile platform let you tell digital tales or organize lessons in a snap. Just upload and sequence photos, record a voice-over (yours or a child's), and use the apps' simple transitions and nifty special effects, like stickers and text overlay, to make it sparkle --- Voila ... a video! For Home: Shadow Puppet and Voice are great for personal use. Need a thank-you card for Gramps? Take photos of the kids with the gifts he sent, and have the children record their thanks for him to see and hear. Or send your vacation photos, and record your voice chatting about family escapades. For School: Teachers, need to explain a simple concept? Or invite students to demonstrate what they learn? Whip up a simple video in no time with these apps offering free extended features to educators, such as .edu search engines, maps and open-source images. For Work: These apps are great for writers and illustrators to experiment with. Check out this book trailer for Sweet T and the North Wind made from Shadow Puppet and read by fourth-grader Alyssa. The video was easy to assemble from photos and illustrations, and Alyssa nailed her narration in no time.
Buddy Poke
What can I say? I have have a blast using this free app for Apple and Droid mobile devices. As a writer, I use this app to introduce blogs or writing concepts, such as the video below. It took two hours to use the app to introduce the Kids' Zone page on my website, a place to download free printable and education extension activities based on my books.
In the classroom, kids will be captivated by making their own avatar to read a short story or tell of an accomplishment. How could any family member resist a Buddy Poke invitation to a parent/teacher meeting? I used custom backgrounds, but you can use a pre-made background or upload one of your own photographs. So, there you have the conclusion of inspiration from Five Fab Kid Lit Video Creators. With the rise of Periscope, Vine and Youtube, and who knows what cool software coming next on the horizon, it's exciting to think of possibilities for using this medium for learning and literacy. I'd love to hear how you use video with children. And don't be afraid to give video a try! Any of the five fab video creators have plenty of tips to get you started. You can connect with helpful online communities who will be glad to offer support, too. Happy tales AND happy KidLit video-making inspiration! P.S You can catch Part 1 of this series HERE.
Please join the conversation in the comment section.
How do these video ideas work for you? What additional suggestions or resources can you add?
Have a look around. Like what you see?
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Part 1 of 2: With 300 hours of videos uploaded to YouTube every minute and 4 billion video streams daily posted to Facebook,* video is moving to the head of the class as an important learning tool educators, librarians, and creatives can use to reach children.
In the first of two parts, you'll meet three Kid Lit video creators, who demonstrate how they use video to engage young minds. They also inspire grown-ups who want to harness the power of video to support literacy.
* SOURCE: bufferblog.app
K. Lamb
Virtual Author Visits Books are like ice cream. There's a flavor for everyone. ~ K. Lamb Author K. Lamb has published three children’s books for beginning readers in her Dani P. Mystery Series. An advocate of children’s literacy, she believes reading is a gift that should be shared everywhere with today’s youth. Lamb encourages children by answering letters, scheduling in-person school visits, AND connecting with classrooms, no matter where they’re located, through Skype. Before her visit, children read her books, complete skill-building extension activities, and brainstorm questions they’d like to ask an author.
Watch Lamb in action during a Skype visit to a classroom thousands of miles from her home. Then find out how she transforms her Skype calls into short videos to share with students. What a great way to reinforce excitement about books and talking with an author!
Lamb is also involved in Kid Lit Parade, an online community of family members, educators, authors, and artists who champion childhood literacy. A simple video helps K. model the importance of reading aloud.
Christine Maziarz
20-Second Videos with MC Remember, you are awesome! ~ Christine Maziarz Christine Maziarz, a home-school parent and former software programmer, runs her own YouTube Channel, 20 Seconds with MC. I don’t know how she does it, but Christine packs great content into 20 seconds. She features short videos for upper-elementary and middle graders that mash up Minecraft and literacy. For instance, she partners with a local school district to produce the Word of The Week (WOW) for elementary graders. Christine also invites literacy advocates to submit a 20-second clip defining an assigned vocabulary word. WOW, indeed! The first real video I created was for WOW. It was a short, snappy piece that didn't stress me out at all. Plus, Christine encouraged me and helped when I got stuck. I encourage you to try your hand at making a 20-second WOW clip. Just contact Christine, and ask her how. Christine is generous in sharing her knowledge. I learn so much from her tips for content creators. Check out her tip about how to create a YouTube Channel in the video below.
Katie Davis
Video Idiot Boot Camp and Brain Burps Videos are not hard to create. ~ Katie Davis Kid Lit author, illustrator and writerpreneur Katie Davis won the School Library Journal Trailee Award for having the best book trailer. It’s not surprising that she launchedVideo Idiot Boot Camp (VIBC): for People Who Think Videos Are Hard to Create, an online training program to help children’s writers produce videos and book trailers.
In fact, I enrolled in VIBC because I wanted help with my video-making skills. I had never even heard of a "channel trailer" (a welcome video for your YouTube channel) until I signed up for VIBC. Katie's course is fantastic, and her Facebook community for VIBC users is beyond helpful for receiving support, networking with other creatives, and finding answers to your video questions. Katie also shares an abundance of free and low-cost video-making tricks and resources from her toolkit.
After taking Katie’s course, I produced a video as a guest on digiwriting.com. Instead of writing my answers about being a Kid Lit author, I had the confidence and competence to produce a vlog.
Katie also moderates Brain Burps, a weekly podcast focusing on social media tips that help Kid Lit authors and illustrators market their books.
NEXT UP: Part 2
Catch the final half of this 2-part series next week and find more video inspiration. You'll also discover three free mobile apps to help YOU create videos for school, home or work in a snap. (Don't shake your head. You CAN do it!)
Please join the conversation in the comment section.
How do these video ideas work for you? What additional suggestions or resources can you add?
Have a look around. Like what you see?
Click below to receive this blog by RSS feed or email.
Would love to have you to sign up for my newsletter
Subscribe and receive my free downloadable tale for the young at heart: Driving Down to Dillon: A Very Short Story of Love and New Beginnings. |
 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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