How Grandparents Can Read to Grandchildren From Far Away

By the My Book Hub Team · 6 min read · Published 14 October 2026 · Our standards

Many grandparents live hours, or oceans, away from their grandchildren. Reading together is one of the easiest ways to stay close, and it is one of the few kinds of screen time pediatricians actively encourage. Here are the ways that work best, from live video calls to recordings your grandchild can play at bedtime.

The two best options: a regular video-call story time, and recordings of you reading their books, so they can hear your voice any night, even when you cannot be on a call.

Why it is worth doing

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises avoiding screen media for children under 18 months, with one exception: video chatting with family. Research suggests why. In one study, toddlers who video-chatted with a new adult responded to them in real time, recognized them afterward and learned from them, much more than toddlers who watched the same person on a pre-recorded video. A live, responsive grandparent is very different from a cartoon.

Option 1: Video-call story time

Same time each week. "Sunday stories with Granny" becomes something to look forward to.
Use the same book at both ends. If both of you have the book open, your grandchild can turn the pages and point while you read. An online book you both open works well for this.
Hold the pictures up to the camera if you only have one copy, and pause so they can look.
Keep it short for little ones. Ten minutes is a long video call for a toddler. End on a happy note.
Ask, do not just read. "What do you think the fox will do?" turns story time into a conversation.

Option 2: Record yourself reading

Time zones, naps and busy evenings mean live calls cannot happen every night. A recording fills the gap: your grandchild can choose your voice at bedtime whenever they like. Some ideas:

Record yourself reading a favorite book, page by page, and send it to the parents.
Add a personal hello at the start and a "goodnight, I love you" at the end.
Choose books with a connection to you: a place you live, a hobby you share, a family tradition.

On My Book Hub, members can record any book in their own voice using a phone, then share it with family by email or a link. When the child opens that book, they choose "Read by Granny" (or Grandpa, or whatever name you pick) and hear you read each page. Recordings can be locked so they are kept forever. See how Family voices works.

Option 3: A shared book, two homes

Choose a book series to "read together" across the miles. Each of you reads the same story in the same week, then talk about it on the phone. For older grandchildren, take turns reading chapters aloud to each other over a call.

Tips for recording that sound lovely

Find a quiet room with soft furnishings, which absorb echo.
Hold the phone about a hand's width from your mouth.
Read a little slower than feels natural, and smile while you read. It can be heard.
Do not worry about mistakes. Grandchildren love the real you, not a perfect performance.

Books grandparents love to read

Stories about family make lovely recordings: try Granny's Cozy Cottage, Granny's Sunny Cape Town or browse our family stories and bedtime stories.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media. "Media and Young Minds." Pediatrics, 2016;138(5):e20162591.
Myers LJ, LeWitt RB, Gallo RE, Maselli NM. "Baby FaceTime: Can Toddlers Learn From Online Video Chat?" Developmental Science, 2017;20(4):e12430.

This guide is general information for parents and carers. If you are worried about your child's development, speech or reading, talk to their teacher or doctor.

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