There are a lot of picture books in digital format that can be found on the internet. Take a look at this extensive database – International Children’s Digital Library. 

The simplest way to create a picture book in digital form – is to digitalise it! This of course, doesn’t mean to scan the book and turn it into a PDF file, but to create a simple book that – just like an ordinary book, consists of static text and images, but also usually incorporates sounds and/or allows the reader to flip through pages.

You can create such simple flipbooks using online platforms, e.g., Genially or BookCreator.

Most of these platforms offer a way for their users to create picture books and other materials using images, text and sound, but, very often, more options are reserved for paying costumers.

Another problem that might occur while using these platforms (not the ones mentioned specifically) is the possibility of losing the created materials in case the platform closes, etc.

Having in mind the (relative) security and the longevity of the created content, personally, I prefer using PC programs (software) that allows us to create content “offline”, which we can then upload online.

PowerPoint is a very useful and powerful tool which most of us use for organizing presented materials visually. However, its possibilities can be used to create much, much more!

In this video tutorial, learn how to use Powerpoint to create simple, digitalised stories. Covering these basic steps will allow you to create visually attractive stories with text and sounds. Also, by learning these steps, you will be able to more intricate stories, such as interactive stories – but more on that in the next post.

Take a look and flip through an example of a simple PPT picture book.

(During watching/listening to the story, wear headphones for a better experience).

Watch this tutorial and learn how to make similar PPT stories.

INSTRUCTIONS – BEFORE MAKING A PICTURE BOOK

1. Write a story or adapt an existing story you wish to digitalise.

2. Choose images (photographs or illustrations) you wish to use.

3. Write the script – choose which image accompanies certain parts of the text on pages etc.

4. Record your reading of the story, e.g., using your mobile phones. Edit the sounds in Audacity.

5. Open PowerPoint and follow the instructions in the video tutorial.

INSTRUCTIONS – DURING THE MAKING OF A PICTURE BOOK

Beside the instructions given in the video tutorial, read a few tips that will make your picture book look even better.

1. IMAGES

When choosing images for your story, make sure they are of high quality, without any watermarks, etc. We want the reader to achieve immersion, so we should strive towards making a visually clean and attractive picture book.

You can learn more about images and where to find royalty free images here. Also, PowerPoint offers many options that will allow you to edit your images, adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness etc.

2. SOUND

Note that you can also record sound directly in PowerPoint. However, the quality of sounds isn’t as high. I would rather suggest recording the sound with your mobile phone, microphone, etc. and then editing the sound with sound editing programs, such as Audacity. If you want to know how, read this post.

3. TRANSITIONS

Make sure to use simpler transitions such as “page peel”, because using complicated transitions or even using more of different kinds of transitions will make the story visually “heavy”.

Also, you can enrich your transitions with sounds, e.g., the sound of page flipping. You can download those sounds here.

4. EXPORTING / SAVING THE FILE

When saving the file, make sure to choose “PowerPoint Show”. That way, all the images and sounds should stay embedded in the file and readers shouldn’t have any trouble downloading and using your picture book.