I’ve been wanting to play with this animation site called GoAnimate since I found it. But, my ’story brain’ was in freeze mode. So, I just left it.
When I found one of my five-year-old’s written stories today, I knew exactly what I needed to do to encourage him to keep writing. I went straight to GoAnimate and created my first animation using my son’s monster story.
Length of the animation: 20 seconds
Time to finish this video: 30-45 minutes*
The reaction I received from my boy
upon watching his story
come to life in animation: Classic!
This collaboration was seriously fun.
*Oh, and perhaps an extra 15 minutes or so to sort out the voice over audio. And yes, that’s my boy doing a reading of his monster story. 
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Animation 04.09.09 at 2:47 am
wwoow ,good animation work and thanks for sharing the site
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Glad you liked it!
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Lynn Stevens 04.09.09 at 11:14 am
What a hoot!
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Hi, Lynn! Happy to know that you enjoyed it.
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Toni 04.09.09 at 4:51 pm
That is sooooo cute! More please!
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Aw, thanks Toni! We’ll try.
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jen 04.10.09 at 10:13 am
Ah, the mind of a five year old – all death and destruction. What a beautiful record of his story.
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
LOL, Jen. Indeed, indeed. Must be a boy thing, though. I don’t remember writing such morbid stories back then. Heh. Thanks!
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Sasha 05.08.09 at 10:49 am
Oh, wow! Love it! I wish I could’ve seen how he reacted! Tell C, tita’s proud of him!
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Sasha: He absolutely loved the animation. But, I absolutely loved his story. Made me laugh so hard. It was so worth doing this. BTW, he’s already asking for you and Lola to come and visit us again!
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