> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://readkidz.gitbook.io/readkidz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://readkidz.gitbook.io/readkidz/how-to-create-an-animated-story-with-readkidz-animation-video-2.1.md).

# How to Create an Animated Story with ReadKidz Animation Video 2.1

<figure><img src="/files/h4OsOxKZ6kr7fKusREH8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Animation Video 2.1 helps you turn a simple idea into a complete animated story. ReadKidz guides you through story development, visual style selection, character and asset generation, storyboarding, video generation, dubbing, editing, and export—all in one workflow.

In this tutorial, we will create an animated story called <mark style="color:violet;">**Firefly Night**</mark>, featuring Lily and Pipi enjoying a warm summer evening in the garden.

> **Before you begin:** Prepare a story idea or select characters you have already created in ReadKidz.

### Watch the Complete Video Tutorial

Prefer to follow along visually? Watch the complete ReadKidz Animation Video 2.1 tutorial below. It walks you through the full workflow, from creating a story to generating, editing, and exporting the finished animation.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/-YHjC3GQZSc?si=Bjmgz2FAdjDQ7A9K>" %}

If you prefer written instructions, continue with the step-by-step guide below.

### Step 1: Open Animation Video 2.1

From the ReadKidz homepage:

1. Find **Animate video** in the left-side menu.
2. Click **Animation Video 2.1**.
3. The creation window will open.

<figure><img src="/files/aEoPFqGoNFspUabrn6rV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Choose How to Start

Animation Video 2.1 offers two ways to begin.

#### Story-first

Choose this option when you want to create a new animated story from an idea or a complete story.

You can:

* Enter a single story idea and let ReadKidz expand it.
* Paste a complete story.
* Choose the language.
* Select the target age.
* Set the theme, aspect ratio, perspective, and character type.

<figure><img src="/files/sfjwxEWQz1MbIGZtS7hX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Selected characters

Choose this option when you want to create an animation using characters that already exist in your ReadKidz Character Studio.

<figure><img src="/files/1yhzrKo1LObwcfRdw7zz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also watch the **Showcase samples** before starting your own project.

After confirming your settings, click **Create**.

### Step 3: Generate and Review the Story

ReadKidz turns your idea into a structured animation script with scenes, actions, narration, and dialogue.

Review the generated story carefully before continuing.

> **Important:** The generated script currently cannot be edited directly. If you want to explore another direction, use **Regenerate** to create a new version.

<figure><img src="/files/q06FztajUcOq1mfm0vub" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once you are satisfied with the story, click **Next: Style**.

### Step 4: Select a Visual Style

Animation Video 2.1 includes more than **70 visual styles**, covering a wide range of children’s illustration and animation aesthetics.

Browse the style library and choose the option that best matches your story’s mood and audience.

Available directions include:

* Watercolor illustration
* Hand-drawn animation
* Felt paper collage
* Cartoon styles
* Sketch and ink styles
* Storybook illustration
* Colorful children’s animation

<figure><img src="/files/dhHvjX3kUzvrkEEBLJO5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After choosing a style, click **Next: Characters**.

### Step 5: Generate Characters, Scenes, and Props

ReadKidz automatically identifies and organizes the visual assets required by your story.

> **Tip:** Click **Generate all** in the upper-right corner to generate all required characters, scenes, and props in one operation. This is faster than generating every asset separately.

These assets are divided into three categories:

* **Characters:** The main and supporting characters

<figure><img src="/files/OyAg55FLz0SPvRgIZ6CY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Scenes:** The environments and locations used in the story

<figure><img src="/files/UI8mtH59SIf7KXIuGzEA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Props:** Important objects that appear in the animation

<figure><img src="/files/JJBvg4P8iZU60HFhiaMd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Review the descriptions and generated images to make sure they match your story.

You can also:

* Preview an asset.
* Edit its generation prompt.
* Regenerate an individual asset.
* Review the different character, scene, and prop tabs.

> **Tip:** Keep the visual style and character appearance consistent across all assets before moving to the storyboard.

### Step 6: Generate and Edit the Storyboard

ReadKidz automatically divides the story into shots and creates storyboard images for each shot.

Review every storyboard image and confirm:

* Character appearance and consistency
* Character actions and expressions
* Scene composition
* Props and background details
* Camera angle
* Continuity between shots

<figure><img src="/files/QD6OcHXHeSIX5AsotpbV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Edit an individual storyboard cell

Each storyboard image contains individual cells that can be edited separately.

<figure><img src="/files/0W9FXrR82LonbRG8izcs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To modify one cell:

1. Select the storyboard shot from the list.
2. Click the cell you want to change.
3. Click **Edit** in the upper-right corner.
4. Describe the required change using natural language.
5. Click **Generate**.
6. Compare the new version with the original.
7. Select the version you want to use.

<figure><img src="/files/QbSLGsod9bW7XT59nxBE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Example instruction:

“Remove the cup on the far left while keeping Lily, Pipi, the picnic blanket, lighting, composition, and all other details unchanged.”

<div><figure><img src="/files/l4d0YEuKTj6L3sdhB0Es" alt=""><figcaption><p>Before</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/sOyZ6rKx3fcbqAHZxtyF" alt=""><figcaption><p>After</p></figcaption></figure></div>

> **Tip:** Clearly state what should change and what should remain unchanged. This helps preserve character and scene consistency.

When all storyboard images are ready, click **Next: Video**.

### Step 7: Generate Video Clips and Add Voices

ReadKidz generates an animated video clip for each storyboard shot.

Select a shot from the list to preview its video and review the related controls.

<figure><img src="/files/3NEpmCt0q9KaWGfWa5d7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Voice and dubbing

The **Voice & dubbing** panel allows you to assign a voice to the narrator or each character.

> **Tip:** Voice settings are synchronized across the project, helping the same character maintain a consistent voice throughout the story.

You can:

* Choose a different voice for each role.
* Preview voices before selecting them.
* Generate or regenerate dubbing.
* Upload your own recorded audio.
* Create separate voices for narration and character dialogue.

<figure><img src="/files/yiNy4XKHdF7fJiOUJvLj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 8: Edit the Video Prompt, Duration, and Resolution

Each animated clip has its own video prompt describing the movement, camera behavior, character actions, and timing.

Click **Edit** in the **Video prompt** section to customize the clip.

<figure><img src="/files/7Wl1hILgTmVLHyKEwsaK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can modify:

* Character movement
* Facial expressions
* Environmental animation
* Camera movement
* Shot composition
* Video duration
* Output resolution

<figure><img src="/files/qGJHtT7lMcSB1gtHQj22" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After saving the changes, regenerate the video clip to apply the updated settings.

> **Important:** Longer videos and higher resolutions use more credits. Review the estimated credit cost before generating or regenerating a clip.

Repeat this process until all video clips are ready, then click **Next: Compose**.

### Step 9: Compose and Edit the Complete Video

The Compose page combines all generated clips into one complete animated story.

The built-in timeline editor includes the essential tools needed to finish your video.

<figure><img src="/files/EOncZeUVyaaJvD7WHNOT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Video clips

You can:

* Reorder or disable individual clips.
* Split or remove clips.
* Review the complete animation.
* Adjust clip speed and volume.

<figure><img src="/files/t7yXvyJtmMPuuuAu2gcG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Subtitles

You can:

* Review subtitle text.
* Adjust subtitle timing.
* Move subtitle positions.
* Use **Auto-align** to synchronize subtitles with the timeline.

<figure><img src="/files/kZ48hPtU3ptlYJFybMMJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Character dubbing

You can:

* Add or regenerate character dialogue.
* Adjust the timing of voice clips.
* Upload your own audio.
* Control voice volume.

#### Sound effects

Add sound effects to support character actions, environmental movement, and scene transitions.

<figure><img src="/files/Ru5c5txoILCtL2KMesXa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Background music

Choose background music that matches the mood of the story and adjust its volume so it does not overpower the narration or dialogue.

<figure><img src="/files/ByJdpHHRzYaVnshbJqx5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> **Before exporting:** Preview the complete video from beginning to end. Check subtitle timing, voice synchronization, music volume, scene transitions, and overall pacing.

### Step 10: Export Your Animation

Click **Export** in the upper-right corner of the Compose page.

ReadKidz provides two export options.

<figure><img src="/files/jbsej320XoaJONmQjy7h" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Option 1: Compose & export

Choose **Compose & export** when you want ReadKidz to render and export the complete finished video.

This option includes the edits currently applied in the Compose timeline.

#### Option 2: Export assets

Choose **Export assets** when you want to continue editing in another video editor.

The downloadable ZIP package can include:

* Individual shot videos
* Storyboard images
* Voiceover audio
* Ambient sound effects
* Subtitle files
* Dialogue and line lists

You can import these files into CapCut, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or another editing application for additional post-production.

### Final Result

You have now completed the full Animation Video 2.1 workflow:

1. Start with an idea or existing characters.
2. Generate and review the story.
3. Select a visual style.
4. Create characters, scenes, and props.
5. Generate and refine the storyboard.
6. Create animated video clips.
7. Add voices and customize video settings.
8. Compose and edit the complete animation.
9. Export the finished video or individual production assets.

Animation Video 2.1 gives teachers, parents, children’s authors, and creative storytellers a complete workflow for turning an idea into an animated story.

Start creating at [ReadKidz](https://www.readkidz.com/).