The holiday season always makes me feel nostalgic about the holiday season from my youth. There are so many family members who are long gone, and whom I really miss like my mom, dad and grandparents.
Just yesterday I came across Melt Away Mints from Hickory Farms. They were my great-grandfather’s favorite, and I used to buy them for him as a Christmas gift when I was younger. I let my son try them (he loved them). I also told him about his great-great-grandfather and how much he loved them. I really wish that my children had the opportunity to meet him and their great-great-grandmother.
It’s sad that my kids only have vague memories of their grandparents. My daughter remembers a little more because she was 5 1/2 and 6 years old when both grandmother’s passed away. My son is two two and a half years younger than my daughter, and all he really remembers are things he’s seen in photos (so they might not even be true memories).
I wish there was a way I could have captured a little piece of them that would help them stay connected with my children, even as they grow older.
I recently learned about a product I really wish was available when my kids were little and their grandparents were still alive. It would have made for a special, cherished memory. The product is called the Recordable Book Buddy and it’s from the brand Read to Me.
What is a Recordable Book Buddy? This brief video explains it in detail.
The directions for recording the with the Recordable Book Buddy are simple to understand and easy to do.
Don’t worry if you make a mistake when you are reading the page. You can re-record if necessary.
Once you are done recording the page, you can attach the included page stickers to the corresponding page in the book, that way children know if they want to have page #5 read to them (for example), they just need to press the #5 on the Recordable Book Buddy (this is a great way to learn numbers and matching too!).
Once you are finished recording and adding the stickers, simply adhere the Recordable Book Buddy to the back of the book and you are ready to share it with that special little someone. Now they can have their favorite story read to them over and over again any time they want, even if you are not around to read to them in person.
This is GREAT for grandparents and grandchildren. Imagine having your grandmother read to your child whenever they want, even if Grandma is no longer with us or lives far away. I think this would also be great for parents who are in the military or who are away for work for long periods of time. This way their child can hear their voice and have their favorite book read to them any time.
What I also love about this is that the reader who is doing the recording can change their voice and/or add sound effects to truly bring the story alive.
The Recordable Book Buddy does require 3 AAA batteries (not included).
Honestly the ONLY “downside” to this product that I can see is that once you attach it to a book, it would be difficult to rip it off to use on another book without causing damage to the book it’s being removed from. I would have loved for this product to be easily used between books, that way it can be used to “read” your child’s favorite book to them as they grow and their favorite book changes. Instead you’ll need to purchase a Recordable Book Buddy specifically for each book you want read to a child.
That is not so bad. My daughter has several of her favorite childhood books saved. They are still her favorites. I was just thinking more so for children whose book tastes change as they get older.
This is a great parent/child, grandparent/child gift idea too!
If you are interested in learning more, visit the brand online at ReadtoMe.com. You can also check them out on social media. Their links are found on the bottom of their website.
What do you think about this idea? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
