August 26, 2008
How to write a childrens storybook using stickers
My grandson applying stickers
Have you ever had aspirations to write a children’s storybook? Not necessarily a published storybook, but at least a simple one for your own children or grandchildren? Come on, admit it! I have. I’m going to show you how to create a simple childrens storybook using stickers.
Ever since our children were young, my wife and I enjoyed telling bedtime stories to them. Tanda Loved to read good books to them. (They got their love for reading from her.) I love to read also. I love to make up stories even better. So I would invent impromptu adventures about Silver Long Johns, the pirate, and Oowey Goowey the worm. (Sometimes Oowey was sticky bubble gum or roasted marshmallow). As the children got a little older, I’d stop the story at the pivoting point, just as something exciting was about to happen, and have them take over for awhile. Like a choose your own adventure. We would all take turns. It helps develop creativity and imagination. The wilder, the better. Now I make up fun stories with my grandkids — in person, on the phone, in video chats — and we all enjoy it!
They say genes skip generations. Maybe that’s why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable. ~Joan McIntosh
My young grandkids love stickers (also known as an autocollant or decal). But sometimes they stick them in places that their mom isn’t too happy about. So I thought of an idea, to combine stickers with my desire to create a storybook for children. So, I created one. And as most of my projects do, it started with a simple idea, and ended taking more time than I expected. 
But, oh was it fun! Don’t you just love getting into that creative zone where you can let your imagination soar? It is an exhilarating experience.
Daniel working on his sticker book
So far now, I’ve made two of these sticker storybooks as birthday presents for two of my grandsons, Daniel and Joshua. They just turned 4 and 6. I plan to make one for each of my grandchildren. It is a personalized storybook; a keepsake. It is also an interactive storybook because the grandchild applies the stickers on each page of the storybook story. The first one I made was for my 4 year old grandson, Daniel. I documented my storybook project and took photos so I could share the process with you, and show you how you can make your own children’s storybook with stickers. Yes, you! You are just as creative as me or anyone else.
Joshua working on his sticker book
By the way, anyone can make a storybook like this. You don’t have to be a grandparent, but this blog is viewed with grandparent glasses on. So whether you are a grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, mother, father, or kuala bear, the process and techniques explained here are the same. You can also create one that is much simpler than mine. Just try it! Your special child will love the handmade gift from you. I think homemade presents are the best! Don’t you? (Unintentional hint for my children that Grandparent’s Day is September 7th this year.)
So, click and play the tutorial presentation I created for you now. It includes the story I wrote, along with my commentary. Enjoy!
One more thing… I kept a copy of the story. So when Daniel was finished with his book, I had a video chat with him. I read it to him as he turned the pages. It was fun!
Daniel reading his finished storybook
Now go and make a sticker storybook yourself! Then please come back and let us know about your experience. Have fun!
Grandpa Shayne
Copyright 2008, Shayne Packer. All rights reserved. You may review this article and link to it, but please do not embed the slideshow in another website. Thanks, Shayne
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Filed under Crafts, Grandparenting, Tutorials by Grandpa Shayne
Comments on How to write a childrens storybook using stickers »
What a fun idea! As I was going through the presentation my brain was already thinking of ideas to make a fun book for my own kids. They would LOVE getting to put the stickers in at the right place. Also, my son loves me to make up stories where he is the hero and has to save his sister. And he especially loves being a dragon in the story
In just a few weeks I am going to be visiting a few more of my grandchildren. This is such an awesome idea. I can’t wait to make a sticker storybook with each one of them….
LdsNana
This is a wonderful idea, especially since kids always LOVE collecting and using stickers! I have done something similar with my kids with photos and pics out of magazines, etc. but would never have thought of doing it with stickers! You rock, Grandpa and I love following your tweets on twitter, thanks for the info!
What a fun way to stimulate the creative juices. There are so many stickers on the market out there today because of the scrap booking craze you could probably find any sticker you would want to write about anything you would want to. This is a fun idea because your grandchild could read the book over and over. It is a great way to teach values as well. I am sure it would become one of their favorite books! I like how it was hand written instead of computer generated. That piece of handwriting will be more precious to them in years to come.
Great job!
This is a real good Idea and an interesting way to make memories with your grandchildren
that will last a lifetime.
Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone!
@Jodi: Sounds like you’re a fun storyteller. And your son likes to be the hero and a dragon, eh? Now that’s creative imagination unleashed!
@LdsNana: That’s a great idea! You could take a bunch of stickers with you and then you and your grandchild could make up the story together.
@Jan: Actually, I though your photos and pics out of magazines was a great idea too.
@Inthedoghouse: You’re right about the variety of stickers. You could taylor each story around your grandchild’s interests. One of my granddaughters is not quite three, and she won’t wear anything but pink princess and fairy dresses.
I don’t think I’ll be writing any of that masculine jungle stuff for her.
@Clinton: I’m hoping they’ll treasure it for a long time.
Great Job, Grandpa Shayne. Very creative. The grandkids will think of all the fun times you have shared with them as they complete and read their sticker books. They love things that are personalized.
I’m the mom of Joshua and Daniel. I have to tell you. They LOVED their books from Grandpa. They are personalized, exciting, creative and adventurous. Grandpa made sure to include all of their favorite characters (Batman & Superman, etc). Both of the boys had so much fun putting the stickers in to complete their book and add a personal touch to it. It was super fun when Grandpa got to read their books with them via video chat. It was such a good way to connect with the boys, share something fun together, make memories and help each boy to feel special on their birthday. Way to go, Grandpa. It was a COMPLETE HIT!!
@Grammy Tanda: Thank you for the comment. And thank you for your patience when I had stickers spread all over the dinning room table!
@Emily: I’m sure glad Daniel and Joshua are enjoying their storybooks. It was lots of fun creating them!
What a wonderful idea! Now it may be possible to control stickers being placed where they shouldn’t be
Great step-by-step tutorial. My children will love them. Thanks for sharing this creative idea, I have also shared this with the readers of my blog.
Great idea! that is a fun way to let children be creative…and have something to hold in their hands and take with them.
Great idea!
Thanks,
Molly
@Sammie and Molly: thanks for your comments. Let us know how yours turn out.
Grandparenting Fun | SandwichINK.com @ 12:19 pm
[...] can read the rest of the Packers’ article and see other articles that may interest you at their grandparenting site . One of their most recent articles tells how they made Sticker Books for their grandkids. Woo [...]
Thanks for such a great post