Know some basic formatting tips if you are using a publisher program. Make sure to remember that the left side of your paper will be page one and the right side will be page two. Otherwise, if your book is telling a story, you may have some pages out of place if you don't remember this. Also, set your page to a landscape mode. This will make your picture book print out correctly and not have a very skinny, tall book.
Add the text to the book. Watch to see where it ends up on the pages and adjust it accordingly. Then you can add some pictures. You can scan a picture of one of the child's drawings and add it to the book. You can also search for clip art images online (sample resource link provided below). If your child is involved with picking out the pictures, it will make it more enjoyable for them as well.
Print the pages. Let the ink dry for a moment and then fold the pages in half so all of the printed sides face each other.
Take your glue stick and put it on the blank back of the pages. Stick your pages together so the blank back side of page two will be attached to the blank back side of page three. If you wish, you can lay the book all together before you glue it, so you can see exactly what it will like. Prop the pages apart so they do not stick together while the glue dries.
Make a cover for the book by repeating the layout process above, but be sure the cover page back side is on the left side of your monitor. This is opposite of how the rest of the pages have been folded. This is really important, as you will fold it so the blank pages sides are together.
Print out the cover. Put the rest of the book inside the cover. Staple the spine for added durability, if you so wish.
Create the pages using either regular paper or construction paper. You have great flexibility in deciding what type of paper you can use for this project.
Find the images you want to use by looking in some old magazines or other places. For those of you that wish to try your hand at drawing, by all means give it a try.
Let your preschooler add the background by scribbling before you draw or paste on magazine clippings. If she wants to draw some of the pictures, let her. It doesn't matter what she draws, only that she is with you, and you are letting her express herself.
Finish the book the same way as above. Be sure to include that the most important part is reading the book to your preschooler.