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Once upon a time, five fathers read a bedtime tale every night
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent7 Jul 2009
Five fathers who feared they were missing out on reading bedtime stories to their children have come up with a hi-tech solution.
They have combined their skills in audio editing, advertising and computers to create a website that allows parents to record stories with music and sound effects.
The venture was sparked by a dinner party conversation when they realised they were losing time with their children — they have 11 between them — because of work.
And after years of development, FiveDads.com has launched with 15 tales ready for recording for fees between £4.95 and £6.95.
The stories include The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood. The company is in talks with publishers to make more available.
The software provides a text to be recorded and guides the narrator through. Users can adjust sound levels to merge the story with effects and music, delivered as an MP3 file to download.
Chris Coombs, 44, an audio editor who lives in Kingston, had the idea of recording stories for his daughter, Laura, now 11, when he had to go to Canada after the 9/11 attacks.
He said: “We realised we could be providing something for people to make a connection with their children that otherwise they could never have.”
Scott Paton, 45, who lives in Oxfordshire, quit his advertising job in London to concentrate on the venture. He said: “I used to spend my life on aeroplanes and I thought it would be a great thing to do for my kids. We thought if this worked for us, it would work for other people.”
Reader views (4)
I don't think anyone is arguing that this is a substitute for being there to read to your children in person... The fact is, for so many working parents this doesn't happen every night - for any number of reasons. On THOSE nights, this is not a substitute, but may be a great compromise for all concerned! I know my kids would get a kick out of it on the nights I can't be home. I wish the creators all the best for an innovative venture driven by Dad's who obviously care and wish they could be there more!
- Avg, NZ, 10/07/2009 09:04
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I think you are missing the point! This is an innovative means for fathers and mothers whose jobs take them away to still play a very important role in their children's routine.
I for one will be promoting this venture within the military families I deal with on a daily basis and hope that everyone, regardless of what their job is, will also embrace such a brilliant concept.
WELL DONE FIVE DADS!!
- Victoria Evans - Yellow Ribbon Foundation, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, 08/07/2009 14:37
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Smb
Totally agree with you, part of enjoyment of having kids is reading them stories at bedtime. I have a busy job and often work late, but I still make sure I get home atleast twice a week to read my kids a bedtime story. If people want to stick their kids in front of computers and TV's you might as well switch on the bedtime hour on Cbeebies and save youself the seven quid. If
- David, London, 08/07/2009 09:46
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The fathers here are totally missing the point. A bedtime story is not just about a child listening to a story - we have Stephen Fry and the Harry Potter series for that - Its a lovely part of the day to snuggle up with your little one and read to them and for them to point out pictures, discuss the story with you and extend the story as they choose. Its about interaction and total one to one attention, and of course, the all important kiss goodnight.
If you can't do it during the week, then make sure you are the one to do it at weekends. There is ALWAYS time to be made, even if it isn't every night.
The last thing kids want before going to bed is yet more computers/TV, and more virtual parenting. I find the whole idea rather depressing.
- Smb, London, UK, 07/07/2009 13:20
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