IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit

  Author:   
  ISBN:    0963679600
  Sales Rank:    40
  Published:   
  Publisher:    Creations by You
  # Pages:    12
  Binding:    Toy
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 75 reviews
  Used Offers:    2 from $11.92
  Amazon Price:    $14.95
  (Data above last updated:  2008-10-11 03:13:26 EST)
  
  
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IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
  
IlluStory

Write and illustrate your own book!!

Imagine your child's face when she or he sees their own story and drawings made into a professionally typeset, hardbound book! With this multi - award winning kit, you simply have your child write and illustrate their story using the materials supplied in the kit, which are then mailed in (in the pre-paid envelope provided) for publication. You'll soon receive a beautiful, professionally typset, 12 page, 7" x 9" hardcover book, complete with an "about the author page", title and dedication pages and your little author's name, title and drawing laminated on the cover. Extras books are optional and make great gifts for grandparents. Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, Parents' Choice Classic Award, Family Life's Best Learning Toy Award and Dr. Toy Best Toy-Classic Award.

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.



Publish your very own book with the Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit.


The Illusionary Kit comes complete with markers, special book pages, story planners, and more.

                  Reader Reviews 1 - 29 of 29                 
  
  
Review
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Reader Reviews Below Sorted by Newest First
07-01-08 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Not just for kids!
Reviewer Permalink
For my daughter's first birthday, I wrote and illustrated a story for her about the day she was born. I'm no artist, mind you, but she loves it. (If you want to, I believe you can use the computer to make very simple sticker-like illustrations instead of drawing.) It was especially meaningful to her when her baby sister was born this last year. I am buying a new one for the little sister as well. I think it's a terrific idea for making a personalized keepsake FOR your child or grandchild.

The only drawback, you do have to be a little creative regarding the words per page limit.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-11 03:14:21 EST)
05-14-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great item and worth every penny.
Reviewer Permalink
This is such a great item and worth every penny. We'd love to do these every year and get duplicate copies for our families. This is a great way to capture the different stages of creativity in your children - and rewarding to them when they see their story "published" in a real book. Highly recommended for all ages!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-02 02:53:27 EST)
05-11-08 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  writing for the young person
Reviewer Permalink
I bought this book for my grandughter that is 10 years old and loves to write stores. It was a wise pick for me , as it is right at her age level. Easy to understand , Easy to follow directions . For any child that loves to write stores, or to encourage a child to write it is a great book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-21 02:17:53 EST)
05-10-08 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Love this!
Reviewer Permalink
Got this for my 6-yr old daughter's birthday. It was easy for us to do together. The great fun was getting the completed, hard-bound book back in the mail! She was so proud to be an author! She even took it to school to show her class. It's a great gift & a great keepsake.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-21 02:17:53 EST)
05-09-08 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  I love it!!
Reviewer Permalink
We bought the first of these for our son when he was 3 1/2 and helped him create his first book. He loved it and would read it to us daily. He's five now and has 'created' 5 additional books (this time without our help). He loves this and has decided that he's going to become a writer when he grows up (after he becomes a pilot). As a result of creating the ILLUSTORY books, he's started keeping a journal (which we thought was a big endeavor for a 5 year old- but he's managing to write in it every day about the perils of kindergarten, of course!) Kudos to the makers of this product for keeping children educationally entertained!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-21 02:17:53 EST)
03-30-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  WHAT GREAT FUN!!
Reviewer Permalink
Professionally produced Book? WOW!! This is a favorite with the kids. Includes EVERYTHING needed. Including a postage paid envelope.
Or, create book online. Make the child in your life a Author.
This would also be good product for poetry or maybe a short story. Adults can us it too!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-21 02:17:53 EST)
03-27-08 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great way to remember childhood
Reviewer Permalink
We purchased this for our neice and it is soooo adorable. We are so excited to have this for her when she gets to be a parent herself. Meant to be a creative, fun, and free from stress. Let the child lead the way and you will enjoy every moment.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-31 10:51:54 EST)
03-27-08 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Second time buyer - daughter loves this.
Reviewer Permalink
They include a set of markers and paper. Be aware of the extra fees associated with writing on too many pages. Read all their papers carefully and count everything. They added on fees, contacted me by mail which slowed down the process, and they should allow more pages for the price. My daughter did this years ago, and now at 11 she did again and still loves this. This is a great idea and I am not sure if anyone else offers such a product. The first book went smoothly. The second book they spelled her name wrong, and the return process was really awful. They reprinted the book, and although they fixed the typos throughout the book (ones that my daughter didn't spell incorrectly, ones they did), the condition of the book when they shipped it back was beaten up a bit on the spine, but I don't want to go through the process of returning again based on the experience the first time. If they improve their customer service with the typos, improve the marker set, and shipping situation, this company would do much better. I doubt I would do this again even though my daughter loved it.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-31 10:51:54 EST)
03-21-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  A Wonderful Way to Get Kids to Write
Reviewer Permalink
This was such a wonderful product. My son had written a story and illustrated most of the pictures. He had difficulty drawing people but we were able to use their website to generate pictures of people for his story. We were also able to use his drawings by scanning them onto the computer then up load them to the website. It was fast, quick and extremely easy. Their website takes you step by step with the process. The best part is when the hard cover book arrived and my son was proud of his accomplishments. This product encourges kids to be creative. Kids get to practice their writting skills (captilizations, punctuation, tenses) and art skills.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-28 07:11:09 EST)
03-18-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Wonderful!
Reviewer Permalink
This is a wonderful to allow a child to publish their very own book! I loved the product, it was very easy to use and the finished product came quickly in the mail! It was a great experience!!!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-22 09:46:20 EST)
02-16-08 1 1\3
(Hide Review...)  Some Expensive Markers (Hidden Charges)
Reviewer Permalink
Wow! What a racket!

Buy the kit for [..] and you get some paper and some cheap markers in the box. Then, apparently, when you're ready to send it in, you get to pay /again/ in order to have the book actually printed.

This thing is a complete rip-off. (And forget the online option, their website is garbage. The 8 year-old I bought this thing for could probably do a better job programming.)
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-02-25 21:34:26 EST)
01-22-08 3 0\2
(Hide Review...)  Buy the Illustory Book Kit put have patience!!!
Reviewer Permalink
I just finished helping my daughter complete her first Illustory Book about her pet kitty. I only paid $5.93 on Amazon in December for the Illustory Pet Story. Now it seems to be more expensive. My daughter is age six and wanted to use real photos of our cat so we decided to use the online version. You get to type as many words per page as you would like and the first 15 double sided pages are free. I think it took me about 2 hours just to figure out the software and how to upload my digital photos to the book. I was using a Mac and I was very frustrated at times. I said a few bad words. My daughter seemed to enjoy the process very much. Go figure. You submit the complete book online and pay the $3.95 return book shipping fee with a credit card. I thought this was going to be included in the kit price, but was it not. They say they online version speeds up the production time. We are patiently awaiting for our masterpiece to arrive. Next time, I will have her draw her own illustrations on the paper forms and mail it in. I think it is more charming that way.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-19 13:53:26 EST)
01-20-08 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Creative Writing: In A Box
Reviewer Permalink
This was an extremely fun process to go through. while you write your own story, and draw your own pictures, you get to send it in an d have it made into a book. Not a published and public book a hardback, just for you, friends, and family book! It is very fun again. I highly recommend it for children ages 5-12 but it can go higher (or lower if the handwriting is legible).

Gratzi
Rachel
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-23 01:14:02 EST)
01-18-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great Idea!
Reviewer Permalink
This is such a wonderful idea and can be passed down for generations. My daughter can now put some of the drawings she has done together with an interesting story for the family to enjoy. Price is Right!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-20 15:59:15 EST)
01-12-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Love this product!!!
Reviewer Permalink
I can't say enough good things about Illustory. We first used this last year with my oldest and the book he made is adorable. I love that it is hard bound just like a regular book is. This year, my oldest and middle child each did a book and they had so much fun making it. We love it!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-20 01:35:01 EST)
01-12-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great for kids of all ages
Reviewer Permalink
My 8 year old son received this as a gift. He had so much fun making up a story with his own pictures. The hardest part was waiting for the hard back book to come in the mail! He loved it!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-20 01:35:01 EST)
01-09-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Next Best Selling Young Author
Reviewer Permalink
My Grandson Brendan, loves to write , and has already won one 'Young Authors" award at age 7. He opened this gift Christmas eve, and amidst all the bedlam that accompanies Christmas Eve At Grandmas , He got out the pens and pages and began making up a story right there and then. He absolutely loved this gift.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-17 01:15:03 EST)
01-08-08 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Gift for Grandma
Reviewer Permalink
This was a gift for our "Grandma" who is a retired school teacher, book lover, book giver, book collector. She has told us about story ideas she has and wanted to "publish". This is our chance, as her (grand)children to have her personal stories. She got it at Christmas and loves the idea. Wish I had it first!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-17 01:15:03 EST)
01-07-08 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  IlluStory
Reviewer Permalink
LOVE THIS IDEA!! My daughter has already published her 1st book with Illustory and keeps asking for more. It's a great way to have your child put together her thoughts on an event, subject, etc and put on paper, illustrate it with pictures and get a "Real" book mailed back to her. She's already shared it with her classmates and teacher. I highly recommend this!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-10 04:11:56 EST)
01-02-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Creative Writing
Reviewer Permalink
This is a great product! It encourages children to use their imagination. I ordered this for my son a couple years ago and he loved it when the actual hard covered book arrived! I gave to my niece as a Christmas gift this season and she had it out of the package and creating her own story once the wrapping paper was ripped off!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-08 01:13:59 EST)
12-29-07 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  IlluStory Make your own Story Book
Reviewer Permalink
My kids received these for Christmas and they LOVE them!! They are working on the book now and once it is finished, we will mail it in the postage paid envelope and wait for the hardback book to arrive! What a great way to learn about what it takes to write a book (without the rejection!) Great item for anyone really!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-03 08:29:44 EST)
12-26-07 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Very nice
Reviewer Permalink
My nine year old daughter recieved this for Christmas 2007. (today)
I am impressed how well it is set up to help her to write a great story.
In fact, I am going to buy one for my daughter-in-law as her brother recently passed away and I think she could use this as a tool to heal AND create a wonderful book about his life.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-01 01:11:55 EST)
12-20-07 2 0\1
(Hide Review...)  Better options out there
Reviewer Permalink
This is a great idea, but there are better ways of going about getting your child's story published. Yes, it's slightly more expensive, but photo sites like "blurb" or "shutterfly" will publish a much higher quality book that will last forever. And yes, you will have to photograph or scan your child's drawings/paintings/collages/whatever to upload them, but that can be accomplished at the local copy shop. This product is far too limiting in the ammount of text and the type of artwork allowed to make it a worthwile purchase. With other bookmaking services you can produce a truly professional book with any layout you like!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-27 01:14:00 EST)
12-17-07 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Illustory
Reviewer Permalink
This is a wonderful product! I've bought one for each of my older girls (ages 10 and 8) for the last 3 years at Christmas time. They love to write their own story, draw the pictures with it, and then see it put into a real book. We also have ordered extra copies of their books for grandparent gifts! Very happy with this!!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-21 01:11:52 EST)
12-10-07 3 5\5
(Hide Review...)  Ugh, misspelling in final product!!!
Reviewer Permalink
I bought this for my 10-year-old niece, and it allowed us a great bonding experience. I was amazed to see how much time she put into developing her story and creating the illustrations. It took us a few months to begin and then complete the project, as it requires a reasonable amount of adult assistance. However, when we received our bound book, I was SO disappointed to see a spelling error, just like I'd seen reported in some Amazon reviews. If only they could "publish" properly, I would give this 5 stars. It'll take a long time to send it back for the correction, so we'll just deal with it. Where it should say "love," it says "lover"!!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-18 01:15:50 EST)
12-10-07 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Good Reason to Forget About the TV!
Reviewer Permalink
I bought this for my 10-year-old niece, and it allowed us a great bonding experience. I was amazed to see how much time she put into developing her story and creating the illustrations. We had at least two full afternoons without TV!! Admittedly, it took us a few months to begin and then complete the project, as it requires a reasonable amount of adult assistance, and the process of writing and drawing was quite involved. It's been about a month since we sent it in, so we're still waiting for the final product. The waiting is a bummer!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-14 01:13:54 EST)
11-25-07 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Great Gift for kids 5 and over.
Reviewer Permalink
I just purchased my 2nd illustory gift. These are great, b/c kids love to make their own REAL books. They can always save it as a memory. It is just the best gift idea ever. I'm sure I will buy another one next year too!!!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-15 11:25:58 EST)
11-10-07 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  This is a Must for All Children
Reviewer Permalink
I bought this for my daughter when she was 7 years old. She wrote and illustrated a story on the paper provided using the included markers, and we sent it off in the POSTAGE PAID envelope as the directions indicated. A BEAUTIFUL hard-cover story-my daughter's story-came back to us. My daughter was so proud. Now we have a wonderful keepsake of her writing as a 7 year old. This kit is educational, fun and meaningful. I am buying it again for my daughter now that she is 8, and when my 4 year old son learns to write I will buy one for him too. And, I will buy this item again and again. It makes the perfect gift. It is well worth the price. And, what a wonderful way to encourage a child's creativity. This is a quality product. I'm glad it's out there!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-15 11:25:58 EST)
11-10-07 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  This is a Must for All Children
Reviewer Permalink
I bought this for my daughter when she was 7 years old. She wrote and illustrated a story using the included markers and on the papers provided, and we sent it off as the directions indicate. A BEAUTIFUL hard-cover story-my daughter's story-came back to us. My daughter was so proud. Now we have a wonderful keepsake of her writing as a 7 year old. This kit is educational, fun and meaningful. I am buying it again for my daughter now that she is 8, and when my 4 year old son learns to write I will buy one for him too. And, I will buy this item again and again. It makes the perfect gift. It is well worth the price. And, what a wonderful way to encourage a child's creativity. This is a quality product. I'm glad it's out there!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-11-15 09:30:03 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 29 of 29                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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