IlluStory Book Kit

by Creations by You

• Make your own book kit - children to write and illustrate their own story
• Receive a full-color, case-wrapped, professionally typeset published book
• Children design a cover and write "About the Author" feature
• Mail back materials in prepaid envelope, or create book entirely online

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 10.2 x 1.8 inches ; 12.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: 0963679600
• Item model number: IKR
• Our recommended age: 6 - 9 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 7 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #453 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #51 in Toys & Games > Arts & Crafts
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (176 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com

IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit gives kids the opportunity to write, illustrate, and publish their very own hardcover books, whether they want to create their own magical world or describe a fun family vacation. After sending the writing and illustrations for their entire story, they'll receive a typeset 7-by-9-inch hardcover book with 12 story pages, a dedication page, a title page, and an "About the Author" page in three to four weeks. The cost of IlluStory covers postage and production of the book, making this a great gift for budding authors of all ages.

IlluStory Kit

• Ages: Five and up
• Requires: Online code (included)

At a Glance:

• All-inclusive kit to create your very own hardcover book
• Kids write and illustrate their own story
• Story planner helps kids start the writing process
• Write by hand and send using prepaid envelope or submit online
• Includes 10 washable markers and 18 book pages

All-inclusive kit makes publishing your own book a snap. View larger.

Send your story either through mail or online. View larger.

Gets Kids Excited about Writing

Winner of several industry awards, including an iParenting Media Award and Better Homes and Gardens Creative Child Toy of the Year Award, IlluStory is a creative way to help kids develop their writing skills. Kids choose their topic and do all the writing and illustrating, so parents are much less likely to hear moans and groans about being bored. A helpful Story Web sheet helps get the creative juices flowing, and the set of 10 washable markers is sure to inspire their artistic side.

Create by Hand or Design Online

Your child can either handwrite the book on the provided pages or submit it page by page online. The one benefit of Internet publishing is a shorter turnaround time. Sticking to the traditional method, however, is easier and more convenient for younger children, although parents will likely have to help transcribe the text.

Prepaid Publication--No Hidden Costs

This kit comes with an order form where your child can choose from seven different cover styles with or without accent trim. This sheet also offers a range of add-on options--like 18 pages with double-sided printing, rush delivery, book jackets, and including a photo on the About the Author page--at an additional cost. If you just stick to the basic book and the normal delivery timeline, you won't have to pay a dime, not even for postage. A prepaid envelope comes with the kit.

Professional Final Product

Our testers found that the finished book looks very professional, with good quality paper, outlined illustrations, and clear text. The spine of the book seems sturdy and well made so it should hold up through multiple readings. Additional copies for friends and relatives can easily be ordered online.

What's in the Box

Instructions, story planner, 2 cover pages, 18 book pages, 10 washable markers, order form, and prepaid envelope.

Product Description

Write and Illustrate Your Own Book Kit - Make your child a published author! Write and illustrate a story using the materials provided in the kit and mail in for publishing with the pre-paid envelope included; or make it entirely online using Creation by You online, book-making tool which is specially designed for kids! Instructions provided to help plan your story. Receive back a real professionally typeset, hardbound book that includes a title, dedication, and an authors biography page!

See all Product Description

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

452 of 465 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We love them! October 16, 2003

By Sally

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Our son has written 2 books with Illustory already! He loves seeing the words that he writes typed onto the pages (by the company) and the drawings he does come out beautifully printed on the book. He is so excited and proud of himself when he shows his friends, family and teacher his publications! The book even comes with an About-the-Author page just like real published books! Everything that you need to write and draw is provided in the kit and the instructions are very easy to follow. In just a few weeks you get back a real hardcover book! The experience was so terrific, we plan on having him write a book each year so he can see how much his writing changes year after year. And just as soon as his new baby sister is old enough, we'll start her writing books with Illustory too. The books are a great family keepsake. We love them

262 of 273 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Harry Potter! October 14, 2003

By Mother of a future author!

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Thank you for carrying this terrific product. My kids love to read and one day my son told me he wanted to write his own book someday. I saw this kit and thought I would give it to him to try. The process was simple. He wrote his story, added pictures and we dropped it in the mail in the postage paid envelope (which was great-by the way) that was included in the kit. My son actually forgot all about it and about 2 weeks later our mail carrier knocked at our front door with a package addressed to my son. I can't even describe the look on his face when he took out his book. He looked at every detail and couldn't wait to show everyone his masterpiece. He has written several books now and I enjoy seeing his progress unfold. I highly recommend this kit to any parent that has a child even remotely interested in reading or writing. What a value!

291 of 311 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Watch out -- only limited text is allowed! December 13, 2004

By Curious Wren

Amazon Verified Purchase

Beware! -- this kit only allows 20 words per page and only contains 12 pages. I returned it because I wanted something where my 10-yr-old neice could write a short story.

(I think this is why it's recommended for ages 5-9.)

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This kit is TERRIFIC!! October 14, 2003

By A Customer

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Quite simply this is the coolest toy I have ever purchased. My children love writing their stories and drawing their pictures and then having it all published in a real harback book with their words typed on the page. They are so proud of their books--they show them to everyone who comes to the house! The instructions were easy to follow and the quality of the finished book is exceptional! We do a new book every six months or so and order extra copies and give them to the grandparents. Our library is becoming quite large. It makes a neat birthday gift too. Thank you for making such a wonderful product.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and educational gift! December 13, 2001

By LibraryPiper

As a teacher, I had to buy this gift for my seven-year-old niece. She loved making her own book, and the finished product that they send you is very professional looking, like a book that you would purchase from a store. They even included some tips and activities to help children write their stories, including diagrams for pre-planning and brainstorming. My niece loves her book and shows it off to everyone - she even took it to school and got to read it at storytime. This is a great educational activity that really gets children to be creative, and they love it. Buy it for all of your favorite kids!

136 of 147 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Too few words July 13, 2007

By D. Griffin

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 2.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 3.0 out of 5 stars   

This is such a wonderful concept, but 20 words a page is too few, even for my five year old. It is very limiting to imagination and descriptive storytelling when you are constantly told, "Oh, sorry sweetie, that won't fit."

Frustratingly, the kit promises an advanced option with unlimited words, but you have to use the computer for the whole thing. My five and six year old clearly want to make the drawings themselves!

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best kids creativity item ever! September 26, 2005

By MistyMae

Amazon Verified Purchase

Illustory is really awesome! Last year we did it for the first time and it turned out so cute! We gave one for a gift and kept one. It is a little costly but worth it! Def. send in a pic of your little writer because that is so neat how they write "About the Author" and your little one's face is in the book just like a real author and they describe his or her likes or dislikes. This cost extra but really made the book. I def. recommend this. You will see how your child gets better at writing each year if you do it yearly like we are doing.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! November 6, 2006

By Dale Scott

Amazon Verified Purchase

We bought this for our 10 year old grandson last Christmas and he LOVED it. He is interested in animals and he wrote a book about 'dangerous' animals. He had a great time doing it. The finished product is great. His parents had another copy of the book printed by the seller and sent it to us as a gift. We will always cherish it!