Virtual Author Visit tool · Free to try

Virtual Storytime

Present picture book PDFs with beautiful page turns, a movable camera, drawing tools, celebration effects, and more. Try it free on the web, Mac, or Windows. A one-time $19 license removes the DEMO watermark in every version.

Open or download the app See it in action

Have a license? Set up your app.

Feature tour

The tool for fun and interactive virtual picture book read-alouds

Polished presentation

  • Beautiful page turns so your PDF pages turn like a real book.
  • Flexible layouts let you configure the app to work with any PDF (spreads on a single page, across pages, etc.)
  • Easily jump around using visual thumbnails of each spread to navigate.

Let kids see you

  • Movable camera overlay keeps your face on the screen while you read your book.
  • Resize and reposition the video while you go, so it doesn't cover important art or text.

Make it interactive

  • Zoom controls let you zoom in to highlight important details.
  • Draw and annotate live with scribbles, circles, and arrows.
  • Confetti, fireworks, and emoji bursts make big reveals and interactive moments feel extra special.

Video demo

See it in action

See Virtual Storytime turn a picture book PDF into a perfect live read-aloud—with page turns, camera overlay, drawing tools, zoom, page picker, and effects all in one window.

A quick demo of Virtual Storytime in presentation mode.

Using it live

How do I use it during a virtual reading?

Virtual Storytime works alongside the video call platforms you already use. Open your book in Virtual Storytime, then use Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or another service to share the Virtual Storytime window or browser tab—just like you would share Acrobat or PowerPoint.

  1. Join your video call

    Join your Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or other video call as usual.

  2. Open your book

    Open Virtual Storytime (on the web or in the desktop app), choose your book's PDF, and set up the presentation.

  3. Share Virtual Storytime

    Use your video call's Share or Present button. Share the Virtual Storytime app window, or share your whole screen.

Get the app

Open it online or install it on your computer

Web and desktop versions includes the same features, and are free to use with a DEMO watermark. Purchase a one-time license to remove the DEMO watermark.

Web

Use it on the web

No installation needed. Use it here any time, for a quick test or a full virtual visit. Bookmark the app to find it again.

Open web app
Mac & Windows

Download for desktop

A dedicated presentation window with no browser toolbar or tabs. Available for macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel) and Windows.

Download for desktop

Remove the watermark for $19

Ready for a presentation? A one-time $19 USD purchase gives you a license key that removes the DEMO watermark. You can use the license on the web and desktop apps.

$19 one-time · yours forever

  • One license key works on the web app and the Mac & Windows desktop apps
  • One-time purchase, with no subscription
  • Your license never expires; desktop apps work offline after activation

After purchase: your receipt email from Lemon Squeezy contains a license key. Open the app and apply the key in Settings to remove the watermark.

Buy a license — $19

Secure checkout by Lemon Squeezy. Privacy Policy

Getting started

Set up your first storytime

Have a PDF of your book ready. These steps work in the web, Mac, and Windows apps.

  1. Open the app

    Open the web app, or launch Virtual Storytime from your Mac's Applications folder or Windows Start menu.

    Need to install it first? See desktop downloads and install help.

  2. Add your license

    If you've bought a license, copy the code under “Your license key” in your receipt email from Lemon Squeezy.

    Click ⚙️ Settings on the welcome screen (or ⚙️ Setup in the control bar if a book is open). Find the License section, paste your key, and click Apply.

    You'll see Licensed ✓. Can't find your key?

  3. Open your book

    From the welcome screen, click Open PDFs, and choose your book's PDF file from your computer. Your PDF stays on your device.

    Choose the page layout that fits your book, then use the arrow keys to turn pages.

    When it is time to go live, simply share your screen in your video call.

Keep your receipt. The same license key works in the web, Mac, and Windows apps. Apply it in each app or browser you use; it stays saved there unless its saved data is cleared. You'll need an internet connection when you first apply it.

Desktop downloads & install help

Choose the version for your computer, then follow the installation steps below. Prefer to skip installation? Use the web app.

Download for Mac (Apple Silicon) ~110 MB

Most Macs from 2020 on use Apple Silicon. Have an older Intel Mac? Download the Intel version.

All desktop versions

Need a different installer? Pick from the full list below.

macOS

Mac (Apple Silicon)

For most Macs from 2020 on: M1, M2, M3, or M4.

Download ~110 MB
macOS

Mac (Intel)

For older Macs where About This Mac shows a Processor line that says Intel.

Download ~117 MB

Install steps

Follow the steps for your computer. Once installed, set up your first storytime.

macOS DMG installer

I'm an independent creator who hasn't paid the $99 / year to become an official Apple Developer. As a result, macOS will block the first launch of the app with a scary warning The steps below will walk you through the process of giving one-time approval for the app to run. After that, the app opens normally.

  1. Download the Mac version that matches your computer, then double-click the downloaded .dmg file.
    • Apple Silicon (most Macs from 2020 on—'About This Mac' shows a "Chip" line like "Apple M1/M2/M3"): Virtual-Storytime-mac-apple-silicon.dmg
    • Intel (older Macs—'About This Mac' shows a "Processor" line that says Intel): Virtual-Storytime-mac-intel.dmg

    Not sure which type you have? Click the Apple menu → About This Mac.

  2. In the window that opens, drag the Virtual Storytime icon onto the Applications folder.
  3. Open your Applications folder and double-click Virtual Storytime.
  4. You'll see a message that says "Apple could not verify 'Virtual Storytime' is free of malware...". Click Done (do not click "Move to Trash").
  5. Open the Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  6. Scroll down to the Security section. You'll see a little line that says "Virtual Storytime was blocked..." with an Open Anyway button next to it. Click Open Anyway.
  7. Confirm with Open Anyway again, and enter your Mac password or Touch ID if it asks you to. The app will open, and from now on it should open with a normal double-click.

Note: On older macOS (Sonoma 14 and earlier) you can instead right-click the app → Open → Open. On macOS Sequoia (15) and macOS 26 and later, use the System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway steps above.

Windows Microsoft Store
  1. Click Get it from Microsoft Store above.
  2. On the Store page, select Get or Install.
  3. When installation finishes, select Open. You can also launch Virtual Storytime later from the Windows Start menu.

Microsoft Store provides the trusted Windows installation and manages updates automatically.

Updating later: Microsoft Store automatically manages Windows updates. On Mac, the app will let you know when a new version is ready (or you can use Help → Check for Updates… in the app's menu). Install Mac updates the same way as above. Your license and settings are kept.

Questions about what stays on your device and when outside services are involved? Read the Virtual Storytime Privacy Policy.