Brainstorm title ideas. The title can be as simple as the family name or a more detailed descriptive phrase such as "Johnny's Big Book of Preschool." Write the title on the front cover of a blank book. Blank books can be bought at many arts and crafts stores or through an online educational supply site such as TeachersParadise.com. Make sure to include the child's name (even if it is also the title) somewhere on the cover.
Draw a picture that represents the child on the front cover. This can be a portrait, a favorite item or pet or even a picture of the family house. Make this meaningful, and try to avoid generalizations that are not personalized to the child's interests. Ask the child to help design the cover by sketching with markers and crayons.
Create a title page with a special dedication. Ask the child to choose a family member or favorite friend to dedicate the book to. Write this person's name on the title page along with unique copyright information such as an imaginative made-up publishing company title and the date that the book was written.
Illustrate personalized pictures of the child's life on the pages of the book. Make this a joint effort, with the child and parent working together. Add descriptive words and sentences to the pictures. For an added touch, cut and paste photos of the child onto the pages to form a customized collage design.
Select a book theme from one of the many websites that offer pre-made customizable kids' books. Some great sites to try include MemeBooks.com, CustomMadeforKids.com, KidsCustomBooks.com or the photo site Shutterfly.com. Each website has a different degree of personalization available. Prices can range from under $10 to over $30.
Choose and enter the personalized information about your child. This may include your child's name, birthday, favorite color, pet or the names of other family members. Some printable book-making websites will allow you to also select specific scenery choices such as outer space or a baseball park, as well as an image of your child and background colors.
Order the book. Some pre-made custom book companies will create a book for you that can be shipped for an added fee. Other sites allow you to print the book on your home computer.
Print the book on a home computer (for printable sites only). Select an appropriate weight computer paper. Consult your printer's owners manual to better understand what types of paper may be used. Some printers accept thick card stock-type paper, while others will only take standard weight copy paper. Other options may include matte or glossy finished. Make sure to adjust the paper-type settings on the computer prior to printing.
Bind the book by stapling the left side edges together.