IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit
by Creations by You

List Price: $21.95
Category: Toy
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Product Summary

• Make your own book kit allows children to write and illustrate their own story
• Receive a color-copied, professionally type-set book in a few short weeks
• Children get to design cover and write About the Author biography page
• Mail in story in the prepaid envelope, or create book entirely online.
• Includes 18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope

Toys and Games Reviews of IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit

Customer Review: Great idea, but end product is not very good.
Summary: 2 Stars

Description of IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit

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.

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.

Kids will love seeing their work published with the IlluStory kit. View larger.

Each kit comes with 10 colorful markers. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Personalized copies of books make great gifts for relatives The Bad: Complicated instructions and publishing options In a Nutshell: Creative kids will definitely be thrilled at becoming a "published" author At a Glance Ages: 7 and up

Write, Color, Publish!
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.

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