Using the GIMP photo editing software and Photo Story, ask your students to create a "trailer" or preview for the book they read. The trailer can include either illustrations or photos created or edited with the GIMP software.

Microsoft Photo Story can help bring your student's digital photos and artwork to life. If it isn't already on your computer, the software is available for free by visiting Microsoft's Photo Story Web site.

Making a video in Photo Story is easy. The program provides users with step-by-step instructions that are very clear. Explore a few of the screenshots below to get a better feel for the software.

Create slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. Simply upload photos from a digital camera or your computer to get started.

Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions.

Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Save the files to your computer or Upload them to blogs, Websites, etc. Videos can also be burned to DVD for the class to watch together.

In addition to learning how to use the Photo Story software, students will also have a chance to explore GIMP, a free, downloadable photo editing software that will allow them to draw their own illustrations, as well as edit and add special effects to the digital photos they create for their Photo Story.

To download GIMP, visit the GIMP Web site.

The GIMP Web site offers a complete list of features and the software comes complete with a Help Menu. Visit the GIMP Web site for a view of screenshots featuring GIMP on different operating systems for a better understanding of what the software looks like.

For a quick tutorial or help using the basic features of GIMP's photo editing tools, follow along with their GIMPLite Quickie online.

For this book report project, we'll be using the book Holes as our sample again. Check out this special Photo Story Trailer advertising the book!

Several of the illustrations were created using GIMP, while other illustrations are hand drawn and photographed. You could also scan your students' work and retouch the scans in GIMP.

The file has been uploaded to Youtube and embedded in the Web site. Consider doing the same with your students' work. You might also test TeacherTube, an educator and student-friendly video hosting site that's similar to Youtube.