The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

Book wouldn't record no matter how hard we tried...had bought 3 books for our 3 Adult Daughters to read to their Families. The one book I bought on the store didn't work. The others I bought at a CVS store did. Will be returning. Anne

Yikes - the worst error I have ever made in shopping. The book was NOT recordable. Some lovely grandmother had recorded it for a grandson in 2011. The ungrateful son promptly sold the book, so the story is recorded by someone else's grandmother. Not only a disappointment for me (as this was to be a gift), but I can only imagine the disappointment of the grandmother who spent time and thought on this. Maybe the kid was on drugs and needed the money. Sad, so sad! How do I get another book???

I recently purchased the item mentioned. I was looking for this item in every hallmark store , only to find they had sold out.I did not know the price at that time of the book in a Hallmark store. I went searching on the store.com , for the convenience of ordering from home. Had I known then, that the price was $100 OVER the price listed at the Hallmark stores, I would never had ordered from the store.. Please beware and look closer ....

My grandchildren live on the West Coast and I live on the East Coast so what is a grandma to do? When I saw the commercial for these recordable books, I was at the Hallmark store the next day to buy three for them.

The books are nicely done even if they seem a little short on content, but then I'm no longer a little kid and might have an adult's point of view on how much time I'd like to read before bedtime. So we'll dismiss that one.

Where I did have a problem was with the actual recording of the stories. While recording "The Night Before Christmas" the amount of time alotted in the recording function was too short to really read the poem with anything other than a very fast and clipped pace. I had to rush to read the whole page without getting cut off. Let me add that I used to do voice-overs for radio professionally so I know how to read copy. This was just too fast for this story.

The second problem is the recording quality. The microphone is very sensitive, which is a good thing. The playback is tinny and way too loud. I ended up having to whisper throughout the whole story in order to make it a comfortable level to listen to. In other words, at normal volume, the playback hurts the ears.

I like the concept, glad I bought them but wish I could tweak the mechanics of it a bit. I also bought "Hey Diddle, Diddle" and "Frosty the Snowman".

This is a terrific idea, and almost perfectly executed. You can record your reading of the story, and save it so that it can't be erased unless you flip a hidden switch. The only problem is that you have to read more quickly than I think you should in order not to be cut off. I got this at a Hallmark Gold Crown store with a discount coupon. It must be popular, because all the Hallmark stores in my area are sold out (just after Thanksgiving!). But the $59.99 pricetag advertised here is way out of line; it's a ripoff from someone who must have stocked up on them and is now trying to make a profit.

I live 3200 miles from my grandchildren and wanted something like this on which to record my voice. I am a retired clergyman and am accustomed to reading with expression and speaking in public. I read the reviews prior to purchase and was a little apprehensive because the reviews spoke of "limited time" issues for the recording of each page. I took a chance and found the book for $17.97 at a local chain store and purchased two of them. I could not have been more pleased. Evidently Hallmark has taken the criticism to heart. I believe this is a 2011 edition of the book. The recording and re-recording was very simply accomplished. I had absolutely NO problems with time to record each page with meaning and emphasis, even my wife was duly impressed. (Even the instructions advise reading clearly and slowly.)This edition comes with pre-recorded music for ALL the pages, including the introduction page for personalization. Once one has recorded the message or read the page, the system automatically plays it back with the music in place. It is a very nice touch. If one does not want the music and would prefer to add one's own background music instead, one has the option of erasing EVERYTHING, then recording to one's own taste. I did not do that, because I liked what Hallmark had done with each page. On one or two pages, I made a mistake, but it was NO problem to start over and re-record. Kudos to Hallmark for such a nice product. As other reviewers have said, one may lock in the recording so that it is not accidentally erased and when batteries have to be changed, the recording remains. The playback is a bit "tinny", but that is NOT a big deal in my book. (No pun intended!) This is a great idea. I give it 5 stars!! The Night Before Christmas Recordable Story (Hallmark)

With excitement I purchased The Night Before Christmas for my grandson. Sat for quiet sometime as to get everything just right recording the book. Got it all done and with excitement gave it to my grandson early so he could enjoy the book throughout the holidays. When we gave it to him he intently listened to the story several times and could not wait for his parents to come pick him up so he could show it to them only to have them open the frist page and nothing, the 2nd page and nothing then the rest was fine. Seems when the first 2 pages are in bright light it plays but when in regular lighting it will not??? I know I can go exchange it however that is not the point. Don't make and sell things that disappoint little children and make grandma look bad!!! Not a good idea! His mom called this morning and said he was watching a commercial on TV for the book and commented happily "I've got that" followed by a sad "But mine is broken". Anne Martinkus in Garland, Texas

As mentioned in an earlier review not enough time is allowed for reading the pages before you are cut off.

I've been reading this story to my children for 30+ years, and you need to have some little pauses between phrases in order for the verse to be understood -- this after all is closer to poetry rather than just a straight narrative. And I'm not talking seconds of pauses -- just longer than a run-on sentence.

I fail to understand how Hallmark could charge what they do, and not allow for a little longer reading time.

My daughter gave me this book to record for my grandaughter, and as much as I would like to have it recorded for her, I gave up after three attempts at recording Page 1 -- each time faster and faster, and I still couldn't get it all read before the book stopped recording.

I'd rather not have it recorded for my grandaughter than to have it all rushed, simply to say that all the words are there.

This is NOT an acceptable product for a family heirloom -- which is what Hallmark intended this to be, when they designed, produced and marketed it.

Unfortunately, I'm returning the book to my daughter, un-recorded.

We bought one of these last year after the holiday and this year we tried to use it. Total failure. With fresh batteries and careful reading of the limited instructions we could never even get it to play the demo.
This item would be great if and when it works, but for us it sucks!

I purchased three copies of the books in order to have my 87 year old dad record his voice in the books for each of my kids. For years it has been a tradition to have him read the Night Before Christmas to my kids and these recordable books will keep the legacy going for years to come. They are easy to set up the recording and the playback is clear. For something that will be used sparingly, we think it was a worthwhile investment. Interesting that the in-store price at Hallmark was $19.99….I noticed higher "on-line" prices.

Yes, a beautiful idea, but--- SHAME on ALL who have this book priced up to $200.00 dollars; This is also the case on E-Bay.
"Lawful stealing" $$$$$$-indeed. This is why this book sold out in all the Hallmark stores. DO NOT be a DESPERATE IDIOT! If you have this kind of money to give to thieves, then surely you must own a HD video camera. I suggest you buy a nice copy of "The Night Before Christmas" and have a family member video tape you reading this lovely poem to your child or children.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL-- but to all the THIEVES, may you get a conscience for Christmas.

We bought several of these books for the grandparents to record for all of the grandchildren. We bought "The Night Before Christmas", "Frosty the Snowman", and "The Very First Christmas". We had many problems with pages that did not record or recorded on the wrong page. Still working to get the issues resolved, otherwise we wasted a lot of money:(

What a Christmas gift for grandchildren. If you don't get to see them often this is a way that they will come to know your voice and your heart. A very innovative idea. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully. I paid thirty dollard for ours. This one is a great value and I see that it is new.

Pros: Innovative design, simple to use interface

Cons: (deal breaker) The time allowed to record on each page is far too short. Even a clipped and rushed reading will only make it about 6 lines in before being cut-off.

Summary: A cute novelty that fails to do the very thing it was designed for.

I recorded and played back the book with no trouble. When I tried to replay the book again, I got no playback until the third page in the book. The book apparently has light activated sensors in the pages, hence the numerous holes in each page.
If you want the book to playback, make sure you have ample enough light to trip the sensors.

Wish I would have read these reviews before I purchased my book. Very, very misrepresented. So disappointed about the amount of time given for recording each page. The light factor...my grandson holds a flashlight on the book if not in bright light. But if the flashlight moves, the readings change on that same page. The pages are very boring. I've had other books by this title that are so much more colorful. The illustrations are repetetive, not much to look at. Very poor illustrating. This product was made very cheap. Somebody made money on it though.

Got this product for my granddaughter because she is moving away and I will miss her. I tried recording on Christmas eve and half the time when I pushed the rec button the music would start and I could not record. The pages that did record would not play correctly. Page 4 played when page 2, 4 and 5 were opened. Never could get page 2 to play although occasionally page 5 would play.
Very, VEry sad because Christmas is tomorrow and I can't take this back. I know I waited too long but I just knew I would cry while trying to record. Now I'm crying because it doesn't work and I won't have this gift for her tomorrow.

I purchased this product for my granddaughter since I don't reside in the same city with her. First, the recording is too loud, and sometimes it won't playback. And then when it does, the recordings will play for the wrong pages. I've recorded the entire book five times, and it just doesn't work.

The concept is good, but I would save my money until they work all the kinks out.

We had some trouble at first. Some pages recorded, others didn't. So we decided to replace the batteries. Then it didn't work at all! So we put the old batteries back in and it worked great! Go figure! Also pages that had recorded were still recorded after the batteries were taken out and put back.
What a wonderful idea.

I've purchased two of these books and neither one of them worked correctly. Both books would not record correctly on the first two pages. All the rest of the pages worked OK and recorded as designed, but when it came to the first two pages, not able to record. At this point in time, I believe there may be a design flaw in this line of product. Just an FYI.......

I ordered and received Twas the Night Before Christmas, a recordable book by Hallmark. The book was fine but the batteries were dead when we received it. We had to buy batteries and replace them. When we replaced them, the book worked fine and we loved the result.

It is, in fact, frustrating how people focus on profit during such a giving time of the year. Out of pure disgust I am refusing to purchase this book at the price of a thief, however, my little girl still deserves the memory of her last living grandparent reading to her. Not only will we have "gramps" read The Night Before Christmas but he will be recorded using our microphone on our computer burned to cd. This can be done for any book she wants. Heck, we may even video tape him reading to her so she will always have a visual of "gramps" reading The Night Before Christmas. All at a cost of a couple of bucks. Thanks Sellers for giving me the opportunity to be creative with yet an even better and cheaper outcome. Have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays, I know I will.

The recordable Hallmark book arrived very quickly and was as
advertised still in original wrap. Last year I drove 20 miles
round trip to the Hallmark store to get "Twinkle Twinkle".
This was much better!

One person stated he bought too many for his family and is now selling them at 4 and 5 times the cost of the book, if you truly bought too many books, why not just sell them for what you paid and not take advantage of those who cannot afford these prices. I have a 6 month old Granddaughter who has Cystic Fibrosis and I would love to sit her on my lap and read the story to her and have her little voice in the background. Unfortunately, due to the greed of others, the stores do not have anymore and we are left with no choices, go without because we cannot pay this ridiculous amount of money for a book. Thanks from those of us who are doing with out, I hope your greed and money buys you happiness.

You truly should be ashamed of yourself(ishness)!!! To take a beautiful and good thing, a way for those of us who are not privileged enough to live near our grandkids, and turn it into pure greed. I hope you are proud of yourself.

I am mortified to see the outrageous price tag you have placed on this book. It would be a wonderful idea for a gift for those loved ones that are far away, but at this price who can afford it?! Shame on you the store! This tells me a lot about you that certainly doesn't make me want to shop with you in the future.

What a disappointment to discover these books being sold with such greed at Christmas time!! Finding them sold out in the Hallmark stores, I was certain I could depend on my good friends at the store!! So much for my good faith!

The "recordable storybook" idea came from DigiTells. Its a program called Read-Along With Me. Looks like Hallmark attempted to copy it. The quality is not even comparable. Read-Along With Me creates a personal audio for ANY childrens book... you control how long your recording is (you are not rushed)...and you get to add sound effects and background music! Did I mention that their program is the SAME price, but you can create UNLIMITED. Its a much better buy and MUCH better product.