neat idea....

[ProblemAgain]

course i used to have a friend who read to their fgrands with messenger ans a webcam...the kids got to see the grandparents and the grandparents got to watch the kids as they read....that works too

Reading a Bedtime Story Together from Afar

By WARREN BUCKLEITNER

A screenshot of Kindoma Storytime, an app that combines books and video chatting.

Kindoma Storytime combines e-books with video sharing features. So now you can share a bedtime story with your child or grandchild from anywhere, if you both have iPads, good Wi-Fi, and have downloaded the free app from iTunes.

Originally a research initiative at Nokia, the project has been spun off as an independent company with the project leader, Tico Ballagas. According to Mr. Ballagas, the iPad was not around when the project was conceived, but has become the ideal device for delivering synchronous storytimes.

If the app is free, what’s the catch? Mr. Ballagas said that he hopes to build the user base with the current library of 26 books, and then sell additional titles.

The story-sharing requires both parties have the app started on the iPad and have previously sent a friend request to each other by e-mail. The book and webcam images of both people appear on the screen, and either one can turn the page (although the actual page-turning can be slow).

I was able to share a New Jersey kindergarten teacher’s reading of “Peter Rabbit” with a group of educators in Utah. Not only could we see each one anothers’ faces, we could easily converse. The best part was that we could see a ghost image of the teacher’s hand when he was pointing at a picture or getting ready to turn a page.

[ProblemAgain]

and when they get to see each other in person, the kids aren't shy cause the grandparents aren't strangers...