IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
Manufacturer: Creations by You
Publish your own book with the Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit! This award-winning activity kit allows future authors to write and illustrate their very own story on special book pages provided. Once the story is complete, it is sent to be published, and in a few short weeks the budding writer receives a color-copied, professionally type set hardbound book. Ideal for ages five and up, this innovative kit nurtures enthusiasm for reading, writing, and illustrating.
Let the Fun Begin
Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit is not only fun, it also helps your child build self-esteem. You'll never forget the look in your budding writer's eyes as you proudly display his or her first book on your coffee table or bookshelf. This kit even includes an "About the Author" biography page, title, and dedication, just like a real published book. Your child will also enjoy creating the cover and will be able to select from seven cover colors. Families can have fun too as they create their own story together. Extra books with alternate dedication pages can be ordered to make the child's story a gift or keepsake for family, friends, or teachers.
Once your child is finished with the writing, sending the manuscript to publishing is easy, with the included paid postage envelope. Production time is about three to four weeks, plus delivery time. The finished hardcover book measures 7 by 9 inches with 12 pages, and features a permanent hardback binding, a laminated cover drawing, and book title. For techno-savy young authors, the book can be created entirely online by using the Creations By You bookmaking Web site. The entire Illustory kit includes 18 special book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and a prepaid envelope. The correct spelling option allows a choice between leaving spelling errors in or having the words printed correctly.
Award-Winning Features
This kit was a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, as well as multiple awards from other organizations. It helps builds self-esteem and sparks an interest in reading and writing. Youngsters learn to see a project through to completion, and their final printed story rewards their effort. There are many optional upgrades available (for a charge) to enhance the book. Extra books can be printed and separately dedicated as gifts for family and friends. In addition, the author's photo can appear on the bio page, and rush delivery is also available. The Make Your Own Book kit beautifully captures a child's creativity and turns it into a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.
What's in the Box
18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope.
Amazon.com Review:
Using the popular IlluStory Make Your Own Story kit, kids who love to write and color can turn their work into a "published," hardcover book that's complete with personalized dedications for each copy. Aspiring writers ages seven and up will get a big thrill when their finished book comes in the mail featuring their own creative text as well as their own photo in the "About the Author" section!
 Kids will love seeing their work published with the IlluStory kit. View larger. |
 Each kit comes with 10 colorful markers. View larger. |
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Parents will have to read the instructions carefully to help kids create and mail in their book for publishing. There are several important rules to follow, such as strict word countes per page. Once you've helped your child understand the rules, all they have to do is color and write! There are "cover pages" and "story pages" provided, with extras of each in case of mistakes -- a thoughtful touch.
The kit includes 10 markers, but kids can also use their own. When it comes time to publish, the variety of options parents will be faced with can be confusing. They are all covered in the instructions, which are relatively clear, but you may have to read them a couple times through to fully digest them.
Great Gifts for Relatives
Though kids can only write one story per kit, they can write personalized dedications for each book they order, which makes their published books great gifts for grandparents and other relatives. The "About the Author" section is sure to be exciting for your child, especially when they see their own photo. And while younger kids will love the act of coloring and writing on the pages that are provided, older, computer-savvy kids might enjoy the option to create their book online -- an option that lets your child get published faster!
Watch Out, Stephen King!
We really appreciated the extra cover and story pages that were provided in case of mistakes. The "Story Web: Plan Your Story" page is a nice feature too: it gives kids a quick lesson in storytelling while encouraging them to plot their story out before writing. The ability to create your book online is very cool. But our online attempt to create the cover illustration got sadly foiled by a technical error. There was no explanation of what it was or how to fix it, either. On the other hand, the physical kit, with its quality, old-fashioned paper and pens is easy to use. Also, when you mail the story in for publishing, the postage is free!
What's in the Box
Instructions, story web planner, two cover pages, 18 book pages, order form, 10 broadline washable markers, and postage paid envelope.
Lowest New Price: USD 13.95
ISBN: 0963679600
Model: IKR
Number Of Pages: 12
Release Date: 2006-06-12
Time well spent
I bought this product for my six year old daughter for her birthday. We enjoyed every minute creating it. Not only was it fun for her to write and illustrate, she also learned a lot about the creative writing process, especially how to organize her thoughts. The final book turned out very professionally and the turn around time was quicker than we expected. I'm showing off her first publication to all our friends and family.
Extremely Satisfied!!!
Purchased five of the "IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit" projects for Christmas. Two kits for my own children and three for my nephews. My children were very excited to get started on theirs and we already have the finished product (the actual book) back from the Creations by You company. They LOVE their storybooks that they personally created and I will cherish these forever! Thank you "Creations by You" for coming up with such a wonderful idea!
Best gift ever!
This has been my daughter's favorite gift of all time. She drew all the pictures, then dictated the story to me. Her face, when we received a hard-bound real book in the mail was priceless! I'd like to do one of these every year. You can't pick a better gift than this one.
GENIUS!
The littel girl I bought this for LOVED IT, she is constantly writing these adorable stories on paper and hanging them everywhere for everyone to read, so the thought that she could write her own book she was speechless! & Its awesome because you can get mulitiples made, send them to grandparents, aunts, god parents, etc... Just another great item that lets kids imaginations grow, I loved it.
Inspire Your Child
My son was very excited when he received this as a Christmas gift. He loves to read and draw and is quite imaginative. I thought this would be a fun project for him. I let him create his story and illustrate at his own pace. It certainly wasn't something we completed in one sitting. He really enjoyed the process. Once we sent it out, we received his bound book about a few weeks later(a lot faster than anticipated).
My son was over the moon and thanked me profusely when he received the final product. It looks great! Nicely bound with wonderful reproductions of his artwork and accurate text. He is so proud of his work. He took it to school to read to his class and we've read it at home just about every day since he received it. He is especially tickled by the "About the Author" feature at the back of the book with his photo and personal information - just like in a real book.
I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed this project and what a great creative, educational and self-esteem building experience it has been. He's dying to do another one... how can I say no?