How to Personalize Children's Books

Former First Lady Laura W. Bush had many concerns about the education of our children. She made it one of her goals while she was in the White House to promote reading at an early age. Today she is still an outspoken advocate for early reading skills.

She stresses that America's children shouldn't wait till they enter school to read. In fact, they should have an adult read to them from their very own book long before they start school. I can think of nothing better to get a child interested in reading than to offer him or her a book where they are the main character!

In this computer age technology has advanced to the point where finding someone to print a book featuring your child, and possibly their friends too, is not only easy - but very inexpensive as well.

THEMES

There are many books that span several themes that can be personalized to include your child. There are books that explore getting a new sibling, the first day of school, what to expect at the hospital, and learning simple manors. In some cases books can be printed n Spanish as well as English. Most books contain about 36 pages.

There are also books about sports, dinosaurs, and birthdays. You can even include your child in classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Peter Pan, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast. Books that explore Religious topics, such as Easter, Dreidels, Kwanza, Christmas, and the life of Jesus are also available.

Some books have special features, like flaps you lift, pages that pop up, and some even come with free personalized stickers! Books usually have hard bound wipeable covers and tightly wound pages as each book is assembled individually as it is ordered. You are even allowed to add a special dedication and personalized message in some cases. They are true keepsakes your family will treasure!

PERSONALIZATION INFORMATION

Each book will differ slightly in what information is incorporated into them. The following is a general list of things that are included. If you get the information together before searching for your book it will make the ordering process go much more smoothly!

1) Your child's full name

2) Both parents names

3) Child's siblings names

4) Child's best friend's names

5) City and state child resides in

6) Child's age

7) Child's gender

8) Optional nickname for child

ORDERING ON-LINE

There are several good sites on-line where you can order a variety of books for your children:

1) A Story About Me - http://www.astoryaboutme.com - This is my favorite book seller. They have a book called "MY Tea Party" which is illustrated by one of my favorite graphics designers, Grace Lee. It teaches basic manors. The graphics are wonderful! Books cost about $13.95 each. Shipping options include Media mail, which can take up to 17 business days to arrive once it is shipped, and Priority which take about 3 to 5 days. It generally takes 2 to 3 business days to make the personalized book.

2) Custom Story Books - http://www.customstorybooks.com/ - They also have a large selection of books on a wide variety of topics. Books cost about $13.45 each. Shipping options standard, priority and Express shipping.

3) My Own Books - http://www.myownbooks.com/ - Books range in price from $10.95 to $19.95 making them a good choice for the budget conscious book buyer. They have a buy two get one free offer on their books as well.

4) Storks N More - http://storksnmore.biz/ - Books average about $12.95 each. Gift wrapping is available. They have a good selection of varied topics and even can custom print holiday letters for your child!