THE technological age in which we live can often leave some floundering.

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, widening our communication and literally making the world a much smaller place.

But for some who may be more fearful and haven't embraced technology with the same vigour, there is a danger they could get left behind.

Grandparents in particular may feel they are left out of the loop if they can't fathom how to communicate with family, especially grandchildren, who are living far and wide.

And that is something one Bradford grandmother has become more conscious of through personal experience.

While Julie Pryke may be more technologically savvy than most, she is well aware that there are many more who aren't.

Julie's concern is that families will lose touch so she is now using her skill of story telling to bring families back together - wherever they are in the world.

The 69-year-old who lives near Clayton, is already used to communicating with family in another country.

Since he was born, her 11-year-old grandson, Thomas, has lived in Germany. In between her visiting her family overseas, and them coming to see her, their communication is maintained through a webcam or over the airwaves.

But Julie has modern technology down to a tee and now she is keen to pass on her expertise to others through her latest book 'Tell Tales online' which she is hoping to publish by the end of this month.

'Tell Tales' her debut tome published in February last year by Beaten Track Publishing, comprises stories Julie made up for her own grandchildren.

The aim of the book was not only to entertain its young readers with stories and word games, but to help the adults reading with them, whether family or teachers, to make up their own stories.

As well as telling a good tale, Julie explains how to set the scene, develop the plot and devise the characters.

She also sets tasks for readers and gives tips and techniques which can be particularly useful for those working in childcare settings, such as playworkers and teachers.

One of Julie’s stories is devised specifically for a new baby and its parents. There is a personal touch to her tales too as many of the characters are christened after her grandchildren.

Tried-and-tested on her grandson Thomas, they have since been re-told to, and enjoyed, by her other grandchildren too.

But 'Read 2 Me' - her latest book takes Tell Tales online - and boasts an unusual format.

"It is aimed at absent parents, grandparents and other family members or friends who, for one reason or another, can't see their children face-to-face on a regular basis, but who still want to develop a good relationship with them," explains Julie.

"It is also a useful activity book for face to face or group-work offline. It is a unique design which comes with its own integral bookstand; together they allow the reader to share what they can see, with the listener, much more easily than the usual turning the book backwards and forwards."

Speaking from her own experience, Julie empathises with family members who don't live close to their nearest and dearest.

"Personally I know how it feels to be an absent family member as I have two grandchildren living in Germany and have used a webcam with them regularly since they were tiny as I wanted to make sure they knew who I was and that I was part of their family. I have had a huge amount of fun with them - and helped them to do loads of things including reading basic English!

"However, not everyone has the confidence, time or skills to jump straight in there with story-telling and playing games as I did, so following comments by friends and acquaintances, I have devised a new style of book, to use over the net with them."

The spiral-bound book also works offline too so its design brings many benefits when reading to more than one person at a time.

As well as a story section with illustrations, the book offers advice on how to make up new stories, provides activities they can share together and includes an important section focusing on 'Safety online' with technical skills and tips.

But due to the complexity of the latest book, Julie is facing greater costs and is hoping to raise additional funding through the Crowd funding page she has recently launched.

Depending on how much they pledge, supporters will receive either a thank you; a set of bookmarks; a designer story or a combination of rewards for larger donations, including a story-telling session at a school or event in the UK mainland.

Julie appreciates the importance of story-telling and, through her project, hopes to pass on that enjoyment to other families too.

She believes she inherited her story-telling skill from her auntie who she recalls would entertain her on visits with her made up bedtime story about Red Cap the Elf.

Since then she has entertained her own children and now her grandchildren with her own tales and is keen her latest book will help families.

"The most important thing is that people who are not able to see children that they have a relationship with like grandparents or absent parents can still build up a relationship with their children and you can do that through stories," says Julie.

For more information visit crowdfunder.co.uk/telltales-online, visit telltales2kids.com or visit facebook.com/Telltales2kids.