Crafts

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!