[Help] Creating an audio storybook player in a hollowed-out book for my 2-year-old daughter

Hi r/DIY! I'm working on a project for my 2-year-old daughter's birthday and could use some guidance. She has had zero screen time up until now (we're keeping it that way), but I want to create a special audiobook player with recordings from family members that's disguised as a regular book. The Plan: I want to hollow out a medium/large book and install: Raspberry Pi 3.5 ELEGOO 3.5 inch TFT LCD Touchscreen (480 x 320) with SPI Interface SoundBar Mini USB speaker (3.5cm x 5cm x 18cm) Potentially a battery pack (open to recommendations on this) I have plenty of books that are large and deep enough to work with, so finding a suitable book isn't an issue. I've already created the software myself - it's a very toddler-friendly interface that will run locally on the Pi. What I need help with: Has anyone done a similar project? Any unexpected challenges? Best way to hollow out a book without damaging the cover/binding? Tips for securing the components so they don't shift around? How to make the power button/controls accessible for a toddler (with some help from adults)? Suggestions for managing heat dissipation? Ideas for making it durable enough for a 2-year-old? Any guidance on how to hide the charging port but keep it accessible? Best approach for power - should I go with a battery pack for portability? If so, what type would work well with the Pi 3.5? I have ZERO experience with DIY electronics projects, so any tips about what I might not be considering would be incredibly helpful. I've already figured out the software side (using Express.js with vanilla JavaScript for a simple audio player), but the physical construction has me stumped. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer! submitted by /u/iYSR [link] [comments]

Apr 24, 2025 - 08:12

Hi r/DIY! I'm working on a project for my 2-year-old daughter's birthday and could use some guidance. She has had zero screen time up until now (we're keeping it that way), but I want to create a special audiobook player with recordings from family members that's disguised as a regular book.

The Plan:

I want to hollow out a medium/large book and install:

Raspberry Pi 3.5
ELEGOO 3.5 inch TFT LCD Touchscreen (480 x 320) with SPI Interface
SoundBar Mini USB speaker (3.5cm x 5cm x 18cm)
Potentially a battery pack (open to recommendations on this)

I have plenty of books that are large and deep enough to work with, so finding a suitable book isn't an issue. I've already created the software myself - it's a very toddler-friendly interface that will run locally on the Pi.

What I need help with:

Has anyone done a similar project? Any unexpected challenges?
Best way to hollow out a book without damaging the cover/binding?
Tips for securing the components so they don't shift around?
How to make the power button/controls accessible for a toddler (with some help from adults)?
Suggestions for managing heat dissipation?
Ideas for making it durable enough for a 2-year-old?
Any guidance on how to hide the charging port but keep it accessible?
Best approach for power - should I go with a battery pack for portability? If so, what type would work well with the Pi 3.5?

I have ZERO experience with DIY electronics projects, so any tips about what I might not be considering would be incredibly helpful. I've already figured out the software side (using Express.js with vanilla JavaScript for a simple audio player), but the physical construction has me stumped.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

submitted by /u/iYSR
[link] [comments]