How to Read to Your Grandchild Over FaceTime: A Simple Weekly Ritual

Quick answer: To read to a grandchild over FaceTime, pick the same time each week, give both of you a copy of the same book, prop your phone at eye level, and read one short picture book with plenty of questions and pauses. Matching books on both ends works best, because the child turns the pages and points. A five-book Teddy set ($69.99, free US shipping) gives you five weeks of reading dates.

Video calls with young children can be hard: they wander off, show you the ceiling, or say “bye” after thirty seconds. A book changes that. It gives the call a beginning, a middle and an end, and gives your grandchild something to do besides stare at a screen.

We run Caring Parents’ Choice, a small family store that sells the Teddy books. The tips below work with any picture book.

Five weeks of reading dates

Teddy Volume 1, five-book set

5 illustrated hardcovers · $69.99 · free US shipping

Order one for you and one shipped straight to your grandchild, so you both turn the same pages.

See Volume 1 →

Ten weeks

Teddy Complete Collection, 10 books

Both sets · $109.99 · free US shipping

See the Complete Collection →

Before the call: a 5-minute setup

1. Pick a regular time. Same day, same hour: Sunday after breakfast, or just before bedtime.
2. Get two copies of the same book if you can. Children love turning their own pages and pointing at the pictures.
3. Prop the phone or tablet at eye level, about an arm’s length away, with light in front of you, not behind.
4. Ask the parent to help at the start: sit the child in a cozy spot with their book and minimal toys around.
5. Test the camera with the book. Hold a page up close for a few seconds so it isn’t blurry.

During the call: keep them with you

• Start with a hello ritual: the same greeting or silly wave every week.
• Keep it short. One picture book, 10 to 15 minutes, is plenty for ages 3 to 5.
• Ask them to find things: “Can you find the puppy on your page?”
• Pause for questions: “What do you think Grandpa Teddy will say?”
• Use voices and sound effects. It holds attention better than anything.
• Let them read to you if they can, or retell a page in their own words.
• End with a goodbye ritual and “next week we’ll read…”

If you only have one copy

Hold the book beside your face, read a page, then turn the book to the camera and hold it still for three seconds so they can look. Point to one detail on each page. It’s slower, but works fine for short books.

Why a series works best

A series gives each call something to look forward to: the same characters, a new story. In the Teddy books by Ryan Cohen, a grandfather, Grandpa Teddy, teaches his grandsons about saving, work, friendship and caring for others, which makes them especially fitting for grandparents to read.

Week	Volume 1 book	Talk about
1	Teddy and the Piggy Banks	What would you save for?
2	Teddy Goes to Work	Grandparent’s first job story
3	Teddy and the People Who Make the World Go Round	Who helps us every day?
4	Teddy Goes to China	Where have you traveled?
5	Teddy Says Words Can Never Hurt You	How to be kind with words

Then continue with Volume 2 for five more weeks, or start with the Complete Collection for all ten.

How to set it up with two copies

• Order a set for yourself, then a second set shipped to your grandchild’s address. Enter their address at checkout; our packing slips show no prices.
• Add a gift note: “Open one book each Sunday when Grandma calls!”
• Every set ships free within the US and leaves Florida in 1–2 business days.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a video reading session be?

About 10 to 15 minutes for ages 3 to 5, and up to 20 for ages 6 to 8. End while they still want more.

Which app is best for reading to grandkids?

Any app the family already uses: FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet or WhatsApp. What matters is a steady camera and good light.

What books are good for reading over video?

Short picture books with clear pictures and a series of characters, so each call continues the story. The Teddy books, about a grandfather and his grandsons, fit well.

Our pick

Pick a weekly time, send your grandchild a matching set, and read one book per call. Five weeks with one set, ten with both.

See Volume 1 · Complete Collection

More: 30 things to do with grandkids and book gifts for grandchildren.