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The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook From Hallmark

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Hallmark retells Clement C. Moore's classic 'Night Before Christmas' poem with rich illustrations from Joseph Adolphe - and a unique personal twist. The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark) allows grandparents and distant relatives to record their voice reading along. When a page is turned, the book automatically plays that page's content in the reader's voice. These books were very popular and in September 2010, Hallmark donated 20,000 copies to troops overseas.

The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook - UK
The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook - USA


Hallmark brought out these recordable storybooks in 2009 - you can record your voice as you turn the pages, and then your grandchild (or whoever you give it to) can listen to your voice as they read (or look at the pictures!), making for a unique gift with the personal home-made touch and the professional look of a shop-bought gift. The pages work using light sensors in each page, to detect when it is open.

They sold out incredibly fast in 2009 and 2010, and could only be found for high prices secondhand, from people who bought early. Everyone who's bought it says the quality is very good. The price is usually $29.95 from Hallmark.com or Amazon, but you might be able to find a good deal on eBay! - be quick though, they're very popular!

You can also check out this list of the top ten unique Night Before Christmas books.

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The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

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The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark) on Amazon

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse


The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story
(Hallmark)

Most often used by grandparents living at a distance from their grandchildren and by parents serving overseas, the recordable storybook was incredibly popular. It completely sold out in the stores months before Christmas, and was only available for exorbitantly high prices second-hand.
The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

Amazon Price: $10.89 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $29.99
Used Price: $0.16

Normally $29.95

Now you can read to little loved ones even when you're not there. Our new Recordable Storybooks will preserve and play your voice-or Grandma's, and aunt's, a sister's or a friend's-reading The Night Before Christmas page-by-page for a family treasure that lasts (even after the battery is replaced).

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Official Cover Image From Hallmark

This is the actual cover of The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook

Cover image for 'The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)'

Practical Details
How much does it weigh for shipping?
One pound

How large is it?
9.8 x 8.4 x 1 inches

How many pages?
I don't know.

What batteries does it use?
Three AAA batteries (included)

How does it know you're turning the pages?
Light sensors in each page - so if you have problems, make sure it's open flat and you have enough light on the book

Why is the Amazon image different?
This is probably a case of either an out of date version, or someone using the wrong image when listing the books for sale and everyone taking it from that afterwards. It is possible that Hallmark published two different versions, but the current official cover image is the one above. You can see a larger version of the default Amazon image below.

Where can I buy it?
It appears to be US-only, from Hallmark, Amazon.com and eBay (although it can probably be easily posted overseas)

An alternate cover of The Night Before Christmas Recordable book

An alternate cover of the recordable Night Before Christmas book

I don't think this is actually the recordable version's cover, but it's the picture most commonly used online - so even if it's not the actual book, you know what to look out for!

The official Hallmark website uses the cover image shown elsewhere on this page (e.g. in the introduction) and immediately above

The Best Ways To Use The Recordable Book?

Who has the most reason to buy this book and what is it good for?

The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

  • Grandparents and other distant relatives can record it for children
  • Parents and older siblings serving overseas
  • Parents who want something to comfort their children at night
  • Divorced or separated families
  • To send to elderly grandparents who live alone


    • Whether too far away to be there in person, or needing a way to read to your kids while the babysitter's there, recording you voice allows your child of choice to listen and read along whenever they want.

    More than one person can help record - someone needs to do the sound effects! You could even work it in reverse - have your child's early attempts at reading sent to Grandma, instead!

    Find 'The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story' on eBay

    See if you can pick up a second-hand copy of the Hallmark book!

    In December last year, the only copies available for sale anywhere were over fifty dollars (often a hundred!) from people who'd snapped up an extra copy. Hallmark may have made more this year - I don't know - but it's sure to be just as popular.
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    Instructions On How To Use A Hallmark Recordable Storybook

    This Recordable Book Is Very Easy To Use!

    Just speak while it's recording, save it and turn the pages to keep going. You can repeat each page until you're happy!

    You may stop the recording at any time by:

    * Pressing the STOP button, or
    * Turning the page. Your recording will be saved and you will hear the prompt for recording the next page.

    Once you are happy with your recording, the book can be 'locked' (a switch hidden under a screwed in panel so children can't add their own creative versions!). This lock also preserves the recording if the batteries die and need replacing. You can also record pages individually.

    Tips

  • Find a quiet place to record. For best results, lay the book flat about 12-18 inches away from you.

  • Make sure you're recording in a well-lit area and the sensors aren't covered. If the book isn't working properly, try replacing the batteries.
  • For best results, do not use the recordable storybook in direct sunlight or under other intense direct light.
  • To reset and erase all recordings, unscrew the battery compartment and slide the switch to UNLOCK; press REC and STOP at the same time and hold for 4 seconds. This will erase all recorded audio! You will hear a tone to confirm that the recordings have been erased.
  • To preserve your recording, be sure that your book remains in the LOCKED switch position. (Switch may be found inside the battery compartment.)
  • To increase battery life, keep the book closed when not in use.
  • Requires three AAA batteries (included). To replace the batteries, use a small Phillips screwdriver to loosen the battery cover retainer screw. Follow polarity markings inside the battery compartment to insert new batteries.
  • Don't worry-your recording will not be erased when you change the batteries.
  • Remove the batteries before storing for an extended period of time.
  • Store away from excessive heat and humidity and away from direct sunlight.

    • Listen To The Recordable Storybook in Action!

    Disclaimer: your voice will sound more like you!

    Hallmark Recordable Storybook-The Night Before Christmas
    by EMP724 | video info

    1 rating | 1,585 views
    automatically generated by YouTube

    Record a Story: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Board Book

    Another recordable Christmas book

    Here's another recordable Night Before Christmas book! This one's a bit cheaper, but isn't from Hallmark and was out of stock when I looked. There are quite a few second-hand (non-Amazon) stockists though, so if it interests you, click through and have a look.
    Record a Story: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

    Record a Story: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

    by: Editors of Publications International Ltd.

    Amazon Price: $3.36 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now
    List Price: $19.99
    Used Price: $0.01

    Share the joy of Christmas as only you can. Record a Story: Twas the Night Before Christmas allows family and friends to read this traditional Christmas story to children even when they can t be there in person. Grandparents, friends, and other special people in a child s life have the opportunity to share a personal moment across the miles. The personalized voice recording will be saved in these pages so your child can enjoy this book year after year

    A More Adult Version of The Night Before Christmas

    A beautifully illustrated and unique, cut-paper edition


    You can also check out this list of the top ten unique Night Before Christmas books.
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    More Hallmark Recordable Books

    Other recordable storybooks from Hallmark

    What if you've already given The Night Before Christmas to them? Or you don't think they'd like the story, or are too young? Or you don't want it to be limited to Christmas? (Not that kids will care, really!)

    Well then! You might just have to choose from one of the several other Hallmark Recordables, mightn't you? They've got other Christmas books - Frosty The Snowman and The Very First Christmas as well as I love You Grandma and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - most of these are more appropriate to toddlers than four year olds, though.
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    Other Recordable Storybooks

    The 'Read-Along With Me' series from DigiTells

    More Read-Along Books

    Teaching your children to read!!

    There's a wide choice of storybooks that let them read along to a pre-recorded story. this helps keep them entertained and lets them learn what the words on each page are. Soon they'll be reading along! Although... my little brother refused to learn for himself until the family refused to read to him anymore!

    Do-It-Yourself Recordings

    Grab a book, a microphone, a cassette recorder or even an iPod!

    of course, you can always go back to making your own versions - it's easy to record a file onto CD, computer or cassette tape (although not many people have cassette players anymore!)

    Simply buy a book, record your story, and post it off together, for your homemade audio book!
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    Top Ten Unique Night Before Christmas Books

    Find one to suit the age, taste and attention span of your recipient!

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    Guestbook

    Got anything to say?

    • G_maJ Dec 3, 2011 @ 9:46 am | delete
      Is there any way to save the recording to a PC, maybe in as an mp3? I have a story read by a grandmother who is no longer with us and I want to preserve it beyond the life of the book's electronics.
    • Flynn_the_Cat Dec 3, 2011 @ 7:12 pm | delete
      Not as far as I know - you could set up the PC to record and turn the pages to play the sound?
    • Momsbusy247 Dec 12, 2010 @ 7:05 pm | delete
      These look like such wonderful books. I wish I had some little ones to give them too. I think any child would think they wonderful to grandma or grandpa's voices on. Wonderful lens.
    • CCGAL Nov 27, 2010 @ 4:22 pm | delete
      Very nice coverage - I wasn't aware this product was available. (Yeah, I must live under a rock, LOL) Bob's grands are all too old for this as a gift, but when there are some great-grands, I am soooo there! Nice job.
    • guardianstar77 Nov 25, 2010 @ 4:56 am | delete
      Excellent review of the recordable night before Christmas gift! Sounds like a wonderful way to share the magic of Christmas with those you love!
    • CofCJenny Nov 21, 2010 @ 1:50 am | delete
      I love this idea! Especially the fact that Hallmark donated to so many. This is a great idea.
    • amorvon Nov 20, 2010 @ 12:03 am | delete
      i just bought this book today but when i reached home and tried it it's not recording. the voice prompt keeps saying "to record position switch to unlock mode", but it's on unlock mode all the time. does it mean that there's something not right or the book is defective??? please i need an answer coz i bought this for my daughter miles away from me & it's very expensive. thank you!
    • Flynn_the_Cat Nov 20, 2010 @ 1:40 am | delete
      Did you find the switch in the battery compartment under the panel underneath the book? That should be the one you need to unlock. If that's what you're doing - maybe it's not all the way pushed over?

      Also, the pages detect light (to know that they're open) so try moving it closer to a light source and makign sure the book is quite flat.

      Otherwise it does sound like a problem with the book. You could also contact Hallmark directly http://hallmark.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1872/related/1
    • haikuwedding Nov 17, 2010 @ 12:16 pm | delete
      Great lens on this X'mas classic gift book. Thanks for sharing & thumbs up!
    • Sami4u Nov 12, 2010 @ 2:27 am | delete
      Hi,

      What a great family memento. I only wish this was around years ago. Grandpa would read The Night Before Christmas to us every year, now that he has passed with this book it would be like he would still be around.

      What a great Christmas Gift that could be enjoyed for ages.
    • whitemoss Nov 12, 2010 @ 1:53 am | delete
      I've always loved this story. Great suggestions for Christmas- wish I had grandchildren!
    • MarkUpshaw Nov 11, 2010 @ 2:28 pm | delete
      I have to invest in a few of these. My mother is a storyteller at Disneyland on the Storybook ride. This will be a great gift from her to her many grandchildren and great grandchildren, preserving her voice made to each individually. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
    Show All

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    Table of Contents

    1. Are You Going To Buy The Recordable Night before Christmas?
    2. The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark) on Amazon
    3. Official Cover Image From Hallmark
    5. The Best Ways To Use The Recordable Book?
    6. Find 'The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story' on eBay
    7. Instructions On How To Use A Hallmark Recordable Storybook
    8. Listen To The Recordable Storybook in Action!
    9. Record a Story: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Board Book
    10. A More Adult Version of The Night Before Christmas
    11. More Hallmark Recordable Books
    12. Other Recordable Storybooks
    13. More Read-Along Books
    14. Do-It-Yourself Recordings
    15. Top Ten Unique Night Before Christmas Books
    17. Guestbook
    18. More Children's Book Reviews

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    Hallmark The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story Book

    Hallmark The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story Book

    Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now





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