Appendix Materials for  

Producing Book Trailers that Get 

Readers Buzzing about Books  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Cypress‐Fairbanks Independent School District endent School District 

Elementary Language Arts Department, Grade 3 Elementary Language Arts Department, Grade 3 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

APPENDIX 

Web Sites Featuring Children’s Book Trailers Teacher Resource.................................A 

The Scoop on Book Trailers Slide Show ............................................................................B 

Sample Anchor Chart: Characteristics of Book Trailers................................................. C 

Book Treasures We Love to Share with Students ...........................................................D 

Book Treasure Hunt Slide Show.........................................................................................E 

Story in a Nutshell Slide Show ...........................................................................................F 

What’s Your Sales Pitch? Slide Show................................................................................G 

Capturing Idea Gems: What’s in Your Book Trailer Net? Visual .................................H 

Ready, Set, Publish! Slide Show ..........................................................................................I 

Creating a Photo Story Book Trailer Checklist..................................................................J 

Storyboard Plan (2 Scenes) ................................................................................................. K 

Storyboard Plan (6 Scenes) ..................................................................................................L 

Sample Book Trailer Storyboard for the Most Interesting Man................................... M 

Template for Designing Original Book Trailer Awards.................................................N 

Learning New Tricks through Film Study Graphic Organizer.....................................O 

Star Student Certificate ........................................................................................................P 

Book Trailer Rubric .............................................................................................................Q 

Butterflies with Idea Gems................................................................................................. R 

 

 

Web Sites Featuring Children’s Book Trailers Teacher Resource

Book Trailers – Movies for Literacy Dr. Mark Geary of Dakota State University has worked in elementary schools with students and teachers on creating booktrailers using Photo Story. This site features several student and teacher-made projects. http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/mgeary/booktrailers/default.htm

“Making Book Trailers with Photo Story 3” – Tech & Learning Article Dr. Geary has also written a helpful “How To” article on creating book trailers. http://www.techlearning.com/printablearticle/8160

Scholastic Book Trailers Scholastic has created several professional book trailers featuring recent books that they recommend for summer reading. http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541& bclid=71174183001

Kidlit Book Trailers

This social networking site allows members to post book trailers. Individuals can also view book trailers created by students and adults. http://kidlitbooktrailers.ning.com/

Book Trailers on YouTube Book trailers can be found by searching for children’s book trailers on YouTube. Many of them are made by the publisher or the author. A few of the book trailer links are listed below.

The Recess Queen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kj5ZLrIJw&feature=related The Worst Best Friend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq1RgTvhaC8&feature=related Captain Cheech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjzK5YSHPho&feature=related The Rainforest Grew All Around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kWvkR98LGE&feature=related

 

Appendix A

The Scoop on Book Trailers Slide Show 

 

  

  

 

Appendix B

Sample Anchor Chart 

 

Characteristics of Book Trailers 

Genre Features  Purpose 

Gives viewer glimpse of 

main character(s), problem, 

& plot  

Sums up plot without 

revealing the ending 

Uses point of view or 

particular slant about 

characters or ideas in a book 

to catch viewer’s attention 

Uses persuasive techniques 

involving visual images, 

sounds, and text to influence 

the viewer 

May share personal feelings 

or noted critics’ reviews 

about the book 

Helps viewer understand 

what a book is about 

Makes viewer curious about 

the ending 

Allows viewer to develop an 

interest & understanding 

about characters or ideas in a 

book 

Causes viewer to feel a 

specific way about the book 

& may persuade them to read 

the book 

Gives reader insight on 

whether a book is a “good 

fit” for him/her 

Appendix C

Appendix D

 Name: _____________________________ Date: _______________  

 Book Treasures We Love to Share with Friends  

Memorable  

Characters 

 

Interesting Problem, 

Setting, and Plot 

 

Topics or Issues  

that Interest Us 

 

React with  

Strong Feelings 

 

Surprising Details or  

Suspenseful Scenes 

 

Well‐Written  

Craft Moves 

 

Appendix E

 

T

t

 

his slide show may be used with mini‐lesson 3 to help students evaluate the qualities of book 

hey will choose to review.   

 

 

 

Book Treasure Hunt Power Point

Book Treasure Hunt Power Point (Cont.)

 

 

 

Appendix E

This slide show may be used with a minilesson 5 on summarizing the key details in a story without revealing the outcome. 

Story in a Nutshell Power Point

Appendix F

 

 What’s Your Sales Pitch? Power Point  

This slide show may be used with a mini‐lesson 6 to introduce persuasive techniques that are used to influence an audience. 

 

 

  

Appendix G

What’s Your Sales Pitch? Power Point (cont.)  

 

     

 

 

Appendix G

Name: ___________________________________    Date: ________________________ 

Appendix H

Capturing Idea Gems:  What’s in Your Book Trailer Net ? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Title:

Illustrations

or Design

Favorite Scene

Remarkable Character Moment

or Quality

Unforgettable Author’s Craft

or Message

Memorable Lines or Words

My Opinion

Ready, Set, Publish Power Point  

This slide show may be used to introduce review the expectations for making a book trailer. 

Appendix I

Ready, Set, Publish Power Point (cont.)  

This slide show may be used to introduce review the expectations for making a book trailer. 

 

 

Appendix I

Name: ___________________________ Date: _____________________

Creating a Photo Story Book Trailer Checklist

A book trailer is a video advertisement designed to build interest in a book. A simple trailer includes photos set to music with text that highlights ideas from the book. Here are some tips to help you make one of your own.

1. Create a storyboard to plan each slide.

Use a photo or draw a picture to illustrate each slide.

Plan the text, if any, that will appear on each slide.

Write the statement(s) to narrate each slide.

2. Launch Photo Story to begin your project.

Collect and save pictures for your project in a folder.

Begin a new story and add the pictures.

Put the pictures in the order that they will appear.

Add the text to each slide.

Record the narration for each slide.

Set the motion for each slide.

Add transitions for each slide.

Add background music.

Save your story in the publishing format.

Appendix J

Appendix K

__________________________________________ Book: __________________________________________

Storyboard Plan

Action/Dialogue:

Sound FX:

Action/Dialogue:

Sound FX:

Scene # ____________________________

Name(s):

Scene # ____________________________

Name(s): __________________________________________ Book: __________________________________________

Storyboard Plan

Appendix L

Sample Book Trailer Storyboard for 

The Most Interesting Man  

Appendix M

The Most Interesting Man Book Trailer Storyboard (cont.) 

  B

Appendix M

The Most Interesting Man Book Trailer Storyboard (cont.) 

Appendix M

Template for Designing Original

Book Trailer Awards

Teachers may choose to create customized awards for the various book trailers to acknowledge students’ work. Use the PowerPoint template to customize the certificate. Possible awards might include the following: • Special Effects • Best Sound • Best Music • Original Script • Creative Design • Best Comedy • Most Dramatic • Most Mysterious • Most Scary • Most Visually Appealing

Appendix N

Promising Film Producer

Promising Film Producer

Promising Film Producer

Promising Film Producer

Name: ______________________________________________________    Date: ________________________ 

Learning New Tricks through Film Study As you share your book trailer, take time to notice effective qualities in your classmates’ videos by recording clever ideas for each category. Describe what you noticed and tell why it was especially effective in the book trailer. Music Sound Special Effects

Appendix O

Script Movement & Transitions

Visuals

completed the Cy-Fair Amateur Film Making Series

This certifies that

Appendix P

Appendix Q

Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________ Total Points: _________ of 32 = __________

Book Trailer Rubric

CATEGORY Excellent - 4 Good - 3 Fair - 2 Poor - 1 Presentation

4 3 2 1

The trailer flows very smoothly

and captivates the attention of the

audience. It compels the viewer to

read the book.

The trailer flows smoothly and

holds the attention of the audience.

The viewer is left interested in the

book.

The trailer flows okay, but there

are some transitions that need

improvement to help persuade the

viewer to read the book.

The scenes are choppy, and the

transitions seem abrupt. The

viewer may be confused and not

interested in the book.

Content &

Storyline

4 3 2 1

Key scenes or themes from the

book have been creatively

presented. These make the content

of the book clear to the viewer.

There is one key scene or theme

from the book shown in the trailer.

This makes the viewer generally

aware of the content of the book.

An attempt has been made to show

some aspect of the book. However,

the content of the book has not

been made clear to the viewer.

There is no scene in the trailer that

suggests that the student has read

the book. The viewer also has no

idea of what the book is about.

Visual Images

4 3 2 1

Images create a unique atmosphere

or tone that matches the different

parts of the story.

The images create an atmosphere

or tone that match some parts of

the story.

An attempt was made to use

images that create an atmosphere

or tone, but more work is needed.

The choice of images makes sense.

Little or no attempt has been taken

to use images to create an

appropriate atmosphere or tone.

Voice & Audio

Soundtrack

4 3 2 1

The voice track is clean and fully

understandable. The pace fits the

storyline. The viewer is always

engaged.

The music stirs an emotional

response that matches the

storyline.

The voice track is occasionally too

fast/slow for the storyline. The

pacing is relatively engaging for the

viewer.

The music stirs and emotional

response that somewhat matches

the storyline.

Tries to use pacing and rhythm, but

it does not always fit the storyline.

The viewer is not engaged

consistently.

The music is adequate, but it does

not add much to the storyline.

No attempt to match the pace of

the storytelling to the storyline.

The viewer was not engaged.

The music is distracting,

inappropriate, or was not used.

Video Editing

4 3 2 1

Editing demonstrates a full

working knowledge of the

software. Many effects were

included and used effectively.

Editing demonstrates a good

working knowledge of the

software. Some effects were

included and used effectively.

Editing demonstrates a fair

knowledge of the software. Limited

special effects were included in the

video.

Editing shows a lack of

understanding of the software. No

special effects were used in the

making of the video.

Awareness of

Audience

4 3 2 1

Strong awareness of the audience

in the design. Can clearly explain

why they chose the vocabulary,

audio, and graphics to fit the target

audience.

An awareness of the audience in

the design is shown. Can explain

why they chose the vocabulary,

audio, and graphics to fit the target

audience.

Some awareness of audience in the

design. Some difficulty in

explaining the choice of

vocabulary, audio, and graphics for

the target audience.

Limited awareness of the needs

and interests of the target

audience.

Audience

Engagement

4 3 2 1

A very exciting presentation that

grabs the attention of the viewer

with suspense, humor or intrigue

from the beginning.

A good presentation that used

suspense, humor or intrigue well

and caught the attention of the

viewer from the beginning.

A passable presentation that has

some suspense, humor or intrigue.

No real “hook” is present at the

start.

A flat presentation that has Little or

no suspense, humor or intrigue to

capture the attention of the viewer.

Length

4 3 2 1

The presentation was the right

length to keep/get the viewer

involved.

The presentation was the right

length to keep/get the viewer

involved.

The length of the presentation was

too long/short to keep/get

attention of the viewer

The length of the presentation was

too long/short to keep/get

attention of the viewer.

Adapted from http://reading-active-and-engaging.wikispaces.com/Book+Trailers+-+Assessment+Rubric

Amazing Author’s Craft

Illustrations or Design

Appendix R

Remarkable Character

Trait

Favorite Scene

Appendix R

Memorable Lines or Words

Unforgettable Message

Appendix R