Create a book trailer
Create a short video trailer for a favorite book using a storyboard, images, voiceover, and simple editing to practice summarizing and storytelling skills.
Step-by-step guide to create a book trailer
How to Make a Book Trailer (The Easy Way)
Step 1
Pick your favorite book to make a trailer about.
Step 2
Flip through or re-read the book to find the main idea and two exciting moments.
Step 3
Write one short sentence that hooks a viewer and makes them want to read the book.
Step 4
Fold or draw a sheet of paper into six numbered storyboard boxes.
Step 5
In each box write one short phrase describing the scene you will show.
Step 6
Under each box write the image idea you want for that scene.
Step 7
Gather or create the images for each scene by cutting pictures drawing or taking photos.
Step 8
Write a short voiceover script with one to three simple sentences for each scene.
Step 9
Read your script aloud a few times to check how long each line takes.
Step 10
Record your voiceover with a device while an adult helps.
Step 11
Open a simple video editor and start a new project.
Step 12
Import your images into the project in the same order as your storyboard.
Step 13
Add your voiceover to the timeline and adjust each image duration to match the audio.
Step 14
Export or save the finished video file from the editor.
Step 15
Upload and share your finished book trailer on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a camera, printer, or fancy paper for the storyboard and images?
Use a smartphone or tablet to take photos or screenshots and fold a plain sheet of paper into six storyboard boxes, or cut pictures from magazines or draw directly for the 'Gather or create the images' and 'Fold or draw a sheet' steps.
My pictures don't line up with my voiceoverâhow do I fix timing issues?
Follow the 'Read your script aloud a few times' step to measure each line, then trim audio or adjust each image's duration on the video editor timeline so the images match your recorded voiceover.
How can I change this activity to fit different age groups?
For younger children use three large storyboard boxes, one-word phrases, and adult help to 'Record your voiceover,' while older kids keep six boxes, write 1â3 sentence scripts per scene, and try more advanced editing features in the video editor.
How can we extend or personalize the book trailer to make it more special?
Add hand-drawn title cards, simple background music or sound effects, captions, and custom transitions when you 'Import your images into the project,' 'Add your voiceover,' then 'Export or save the finished video file' to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create a book trailer
How To Make Your Own Book Trailer Easily with Book Brush
4 Videos
How To Make Your Own Book Trailer Easily with Book Brush
Canva Book Trailer Tutorial | How to Make a Book Trailer on Canva (2025)
How to Make a Book Trailer in 5 Easy Steps on a Budget
How to Make a Book Trailer (For Kids!) : Book Trailers for Kids Workbook
Facts about digital storytelling for kids
âď¸ Simple editsâcuts, fades, and timingâcan totally change the mood of a trailer and make it feel professional.
đźď¸ A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that maps out each camera shotâit's basically a comic for your video.
đŹ Book trailers are like mini-moviesâmost are 30â90 seconds long so they tease the story without spoiling it.
đ Making a trailer helps kids practice summarizing by picking the main characters, the central conflict, and a hook in just a few seconds.
đď¸ Voice actors often record dozens of takes to find the perfect tone and emotion for a single line.
How do you create a book trailer for a favorite book?
What materials do I need to make a book trailer?
What ages is creating a book trailer suitable for?
What are the benefits of making a book trailer?
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