Amazon.com Product Description

IlluStory is a multi-award winning kit that lets you write and illustrate your very own professionally typeset, hardbound book! This kit includes markers and special book pages for creating an original story that is mailed to the publisher in the postpaid envelope provided. Each book features up to 12 pages with 20 typeset words, and includes a Title page, Dedication page and a special "About-the-Author" page. The author's name, book title and illustration are laminated onto the cover. You have your choice of six cover colors to choose from. Additional reproductions and rush service are optional. The IlluStory kit now offers an Internet production option that includes online drawing tools and allows for more words per page, a choice of font styles and colors, and faster delivery times at no extra cost. IlluStory has won many prestigious awards such as the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award; Dr. Toy Best Toy Award; Parents' Choice Classic Award and the Family Life's Best Learning Toy Award. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A fun and educational gift!
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!

This is fabulous!!
My daughter received this as a gift. She LOVED creating her story. We had lots of fun together with the planning and the layout and she really enjoyed being able to express her creativity so freely. When the final product, a hardbound copy of her story arrived, she was so excited. Now we read her story often and it is so neat to know that the words and illustrations are her own. We also bought this as a gift for my friend's son (his sixth birthday) and he loved it as well. My daughter recently asked me if we could get another kit so she can make another story. I definitely will get this for her again. It is a wonderful gift and also a great keepsake for years to come.

The Perfect Gift
This is one of the greatest gifts my 5 year old daughter ever received. It kept her occupied for hours, not to mention the days when she likes to go back and read it. It was so interesting, that my 7 year old nephew helped her create the book. They drew a line down the middle of each page so they each had a side. Then they just created their masterpiece-no arguing-just sharing and imagining together. I now give this as a gift to anyone around the ages of 5-7 years.

Inspiring for Young Authors
We bought this for my son, who loves to write books of his own. When he received the finished version of this book, he was so proud and wanted to write more books. The finished product makes a great gift for grandparents and other loved ones. It also inspires a love of reading and writing in children. What a wonderful do-it-yourself project for children!!!

A fabulous idea!
I bought this for my 8 year old niece last Christmas. It was a HUGE hit with her and everyone who has come in contact with her finished masterpiece. Everyone wants to know where I got it. This really helped my niece become more sure of herself and she now loves to write! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oh man... :o)
Imagine a plastic barrel full of markers, colored paper, googly eyes (different sizes yet), pipe cleaners, fuzzy balls, cut out shapes, glitter, sequins, popsicle sticks...okay, there is more, but we haven't reached the bottom of the barrel yet. Basically, it's full of cool stuff that kids LOVE to goof around with. It's messy, and you'll be picking up sequins and various "shiney" things for days, but the kids will be absorbed for at least an hour, if not more.

We're homeschoolers, and when we don't feel like doing "formal" art, it's so much fun to pull out the giant barrel and say, "Okay, get the glue!" :oD

This is great!
The kids can really be creative with this, and the adults can have fun, too! There are plenty of each item in the barrel, so you can complete many different crafts. This would be a great birthday or holiday present. Just get some glue, and you're ready to go! ... Read more

Editorial Review

This colorful plastic briefcase, packed with paper-craftsupplies, is perfect for the child who adores art projects. The case,which measures just over 9 by 12 inches, has tuck-in tab closures and apurple carrying handle. Open it up and you'll find a whole host ofmaterials, including colorful construction paper, shiny metallic paper,geometric-shaped tissue paper, dot stickers, doilies and doily hearts,pipe cleaners, color-and-cut cardboard animal masks, origami paper, andcreative origami folding instructions. The set also comes with an ideabooklet that will teach you how to make several different paperprojects, from doily tiaras to fancy paper fans to finger puppetfriends. There's enough here to keep the most ardent arts-and-craftsenthusiast busy, and it all stows neatly in the plastic case forconvenient cleanup and transport. --Elisabeth Fredrickson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My kid loved this item
My 6 year old and I spent a great rainy afternoon making masks and then putting togeather little skits that we performed for his Mom. I liked that there were many options that helped my son bring out his creativity. Something different from the usual action figure stuff. He also liked the carrying case.

very disappointed
I bought this kit because i love to do paper crafts, but when i opened it I was very disappointed, it was not what i expected for the money i paid. The cut and color masks are a little scary for smaller children, there is only 2 in the package that is acceptable for young children the rest are scary dinosaur faces. I was expecting cute animal faces. I did get glue and scissors in the package which isn't stated in the picture and description. Overall the purchase was a big disappointment, I won't be purchasing it again.

Doesn't give good value for the money
We ordered two of these for christmas gifts and when we got them we turned around and sent them right back. Inside the vinyl holder was a very small pack of materials, it just looked like very little for [the money]. We didn't open the small package of materials because we knew it was going back. When we spend [money] on a gift it has got to be more substantial than this. ... Read more