How to Create a Children's Book Storyboard • CANVA • Free!!

[@theblackbookexperience8325]

I'm in the process of writing my first children's book to showcase children on the autism spectrum. I really appreciate this video as I will be self-publishing and don't want to make this first iteration overly complicated and ensure the focus is on the learning and the illustrations to support that. Thank you so much for this video as it was so easy to follow along with you using my canva account!

[@Valzendous]

Wow! I am autistic myself. Thank you for choosing to write on this topic for a children’s book. On the other note, I wrote a book too on my lived experience as an adult autistic woman. Looking forward for your book. Good luck. My book is called “ The whispered outcries” by Vaishali Alluri.

[@jasminealwedyan874]

I'm so glad you made this video. It was so helpful. No one shows you exactly how a book can be made and you did. I'm glad to have a starting point in this process

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tiyang44]

I agree @Jasmine Alwedyan. Thank you

[@LindsayLi-m5n]

thank you so much, I've been searching desperately to know how to make the spread interior, watched like 15 videos and no one was helpful. and finally i found your video. Miliion thanks.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I'm so glad!

[@jerleanmiller842]

This was very helpful. I’m in the process of trying to design a children’s book for the first time. Perfect ‼️

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You got this!

[@crystalbrundige4236]

Thank you so much for this easy to follow intructions video.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You bet!

[@fouadgamal1531]

nice video we need more advanced videos to make childern books for kdp

[@berenicedavey7407]

Maybe English is not your 1st language . These videos are created with time ,thought and consideration if her viewers needs. If u want a topic covered please be polite and considerate, it is normal to actually request a topic not demand it. So a please could you .... and a "thanks " at the end. Hope this helps!!

[@mariams6876]

Yeah I didn’t understand that comment as well. It may have 2 meanings. Either “thank you that’s what we needed, more advanced videos” or “this video is too basic”. Either way, I appreciate this video and the effort put into it.

[@emilyahn6381]

Thanks, Becky! This is so helpful in understanding how I make fully illustrated pages. I love your kind explanation.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are so welcome!

[@LetstalkJESUS24]

Wow, I feel complete, I am starting to write my first children's book but don't know how to draw a storyboard, thanks so much, this video is amazing May God bless you for your great help.😊

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Excellent! Good work!

[@sheemaarshi5671]

Thank you so much , I wrote stories for my grandson and wanted them in a book form , with your video , I think I can do it myself .. thank you so much

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Go for it!

[@Eag757]

Amazing tutorial, thank you.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rossheathcote]

Thank you for your help. Much appreciated. Kay

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alanzee9334]

Without a doubt, this is one of the most helpful videos I have come across. I hope to work with you in future if my books take off 🙂

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Awesome! That would be great! And, thanks!

[@Diamond-zt2dc]

Thank you for sharing this video.💜

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@patriciagrant3228]

This is a fantastic video, It has helped me out a lot. I can now pursue my dream in writing for children. I didn't know where to begin. Thank you.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are so welcome!

[@lovebig2271]

This was an awesome video! You made it look so easy and you inspired me to write my first children’s book!!! Thank you so much!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You can do it!

[@art_strings]

This was great!

[@SelfMadeFish]

Huge help for my finals project, thank you 🙏🏽

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Ooh! Congrats on finishing that!

[@tenneshafrierson8094]

Thank you, I have been making journals with no problem but the children's books been giving me problems with creating the size for kdp children's book

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Yes, there is a limitation to the size of hardcover (square) sized books that KDP can do. We recommend IngramSpark for hardcover printing for this reason.

[@sohailgondal9558]

Thank you so much for amazing content sharing

[@chafiaakam8770]

thank you very much for such videos. I hope one day I ll have my own laptop and printer to be able to make such books for my learners at primary school. thanks once again

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I hope so too!

[@mytragrant8329]

Yes, Ma'am, this is one of THE BEST videos I have come across, by far!! A MILLION THANKS TO YOU for providing this very necessary information!! I, too, am working on My 1st Children's Book and had no idea of how and where to start. Thank you for being such a blessing to us all!! 💕🤗 💯

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Wow, thank you!

[@maramshahawy2177]

I wanted to make my own recordable story book. Where I can do it? Where I can print a book with an option to record the story, you know with buttons on the side

[@Srishank1325]

That was very useful and thanks.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You're welcome!

[@courtnipete4]

This was AWESOME! What are the steps to finding an illustrator?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Start resaerching online or start looking for one locally! Do you want a digital or traditional illustrator? What's your budget? Etc. These are all things to consider!

[@kiddietalkstore]

good video! thanks! Tell me please what is the ration of a title for this book?

[@muju969]

Great video Becky using the step-by-step guidance, really helpful. Thank you.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You're very welcome!

[@KamranAli-nd4ti]

You have pro version of canva?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I do, yes.

[@adrianag1047]

Awesome tutorial. Just what I needed. Thanks. New subscriber for sure.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You're super welcome!

[@simplelifeofreshmi]

Wow, it's really halpful. Thank you so much dear.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are very welcome!

[@ADCIC]

I appreciate this thank you so much Becky. God bless you!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are so welcome!

[@lubnahusami1799]

what would be the cover of the book size if i take 8×10 inch

[@michaelrascon7657]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

My pleasure!

[@BGLFCreative.]

Hello how are you oh wow this is really cool and I would love to do something like this. Thanks for showing how we can do this on Canva.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Thanks for visiting.

[@karenwilkins6897]

I am a newbie none IT savi person. My manuscript has been edited and I have a front cover and back cover and spine done by my illustrator but I have no idea to get my digital characters onto my pages with my chapters- help

[@samiafarooq697]

Best video 👍

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Thanks

[@Khee-nny]

Nice video

[@madhumitachakola3021]

This was so helpful!!!

[@simplelifeofreshmi]

Ma'am it's great. Thank you so much 🥰

[@marywishne555]

Do you have other videos that would help with learning how to load pre-made art to a book or story board?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I do not have that specific video, but I should make one!

[@SimpleLife333]

@@beckysgraphicdesign yes need that too

[@rubensampley]

Very helpful

[@theevangelists7102]

Nice job, this was so clear. You made this so easy for me to understand. 👏

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it helped!

[@ElizabethGomez-dr1kh]

Thank you sharing

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are so welcome.

[@thinktankboulevard]

hi little confused. I have made 15 double pages .16x 10 Ok so when I upload to kdp Do I upload it as 30 pages 8x10 ? And also they put a blank page in to start so will that not move my doubles down and split them? Hope you or someone can advice me thanks

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I suppose you could make your finished children's book in Canva, but it will be more challenging to format than using Adobe InDesign or other page layout software. The video I made here is for making a storyboard, not a finished product. When you upload a PDF to KDP, it needs to be single pages, not spreads. (It can't be two pages side-by-side). Canva doesn't really have a good option for designing on "spreads," like InDesign does.

[@learnENGLISHwithdebi]

Wow! Very informative! Thank you so much!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@preetsokhal9896]

can you please share some tips to create a board book for children? like dimensions, bleed, etc? thank you so much

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

This will depend entirely on your printer. Check for specifics with them before designing your book!

[@smartinteriordecors8537]

This helped a lot thank you

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad to hear!

[@wisdombreeze5710]

Thanks for the video! Do we have to have all the pages together in one file when uploading to KDP or can I have one file for the cover and another for the inner pages?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You will have two separate files! A PDF for the interior and another PDF for the cover.

[@wisdombreeze5710]

@@beckysgraphicdesign Thank you!

[@kerrykennedy_author]

I always use Canva to set my books up I have an illustrator but I add in and create everything here in Csnva including my music vids and book trailers and covers

[@passiveincomewithnora]

Thanks for sharing, this is amazing!

[@JolieKim2795]

why my canva doesnt have print bleed mode on view settings .thanks

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I wish it did! You have to "fake it" by adding an artificial 0.125 to each side of the canvas.

[@Shetan258]

So helpful. Thanks!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

So glad!

[@Aguavivadecristo]

How do I split the pages in order to download them to kdp ? The pages need to be saved individually instead of double. Please help

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You CAN do this in Canva. Just realize that making a two-page spread will be very hard to do. You need to make a single-page file, not a spread file.

[@HoneySun16]

Do we have to add the line in the middle? I thought each page was page 1,2,etc ?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You don't HAVE to. It's just a visual indicator. And, remember, this tutorial is JUST for a storyboard, not for a finished, published piece.

[@HoneySun16]

@@beckysgraphicdesign oh I missed the storyboard part. Thank you

[@MrSupersia]

This is great thankyou,so once we finish the book on Canva is it possible to advertise on places like Amazon kindle ? The quality is good enough?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

This tutorial is for those who are not artists and need to hire an illustrator. This allows you to make a free storyboard for your illustrator to follow. However, I wouldn't recommend using Canva to create your KDP files because the formatting is difficult to do correctly. (It's better to use Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher.) As far as advertising your book, the best thing to do is to offer 99 cent ebook presales in exchange for reviews so that when your book is officially released, it already HAS reviews.

[@sohailgondal9558]

How too fix children's illustration or text slipt etc please make a video on this topic

[@moemuslih314]

Amazing I am so shocked to find the subtitle in my language BAHASA INDONESIA Thanks

[@FiftyFatFabulous]

Great Job!!! I really needed this! 😉

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pjruland]

How do you use a canva layout with photos already done to create a kdp book? Are you saying you cannot use canva to make a kdp book? Thank you.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You can, in theory. You'll need to make each page on its own (no spreads), but keep in mind where the spreads will fall in print. Then, export the proper type of PDF for upload.

[@AngieWy]

Perfect. Thanks!

[@carineange]

awesome!! thank you

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You bet!

[@inbedduringcovid3005]

I don't know why im over thinking it because it's going over my head. Should the pages be front and back or will the be printed stacked then stapled and folded or folded then stacked lol. Its so many ways which would change the layout. The first page would have half the front page and half the final page if it all stack then fold. This way must mean it folds then stack. Please help me.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Check out this video, which has an explanation on book page order: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKfXqamJpJegnrM

[@melvinationz]

Hi, thanks for the tutorial. I just wondering, is there a way to create the book cover altogether in one canva document with the inside pages, which is should be single pages only and not spread?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Not that I know of. Unfortunately, Canva doesn't allow for different-sized pages in the same document. If you made your single pages in a separate document, then exported everything as a PDF, you could combine the two PDFs in Adobe Acrobat.

[@melvinationz]

@@beckysgraphicdesign thanks so much!

[@jessicaburns7320]

I can not get this to do this on my phone app or the web on my phone

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You will not have the full range of functions on mobile, unfortunately.

[@ManiacalMangoes]

I saw the comment about “don’t actually make a book like this since you can’t send it to Amazon publishing etc.”, do you have a video for actually making a book that you can submit for publishing? Do you just do the same thing but one page per page vs. the 2 pages you showed here?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I am sure it would be possible to create a book for print using Canva. I am NOT sure about if Amazon would accept the provided PDF format that Canva provides. (Aamzon requests you submit a 2001x PDF type, and I don't believe Canva will let you do this. I wonder if you could change the PDF type in Adobe Acrobat, perhaps?) But yes, you'd need to make it in the one-page format (just keeping in mind that it will be printed in spreads.)

[@aleshaleeunique]

Ty so helpful

[@chantalmassin1756]

What about if you have done the art too how do you put the picture?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You can upload custom images into Canva, but I would not recommend creating files-for-print in Canva. This video is for creating an OUTLINE of a story, not a final product.

[@chantalmassin1756]

@@beckysgraphicdesign thank you for your time.

[@felleix]

really enjoyed your video and i did exactly what you did and did two pages per page. Missed that it was not possible to use the format for amazon:( Is there a way to make it right without redoing everything?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Make a new blank file with single pages, including a bleed for the top, bottom, and outer sides but NOT THE INNER. (Ex., a book that you want to turn out as 8 x 8 needs to have a page size of 8.125 (width) x 8.25 (height).) Then, copy and paste stuff from your two-page file over into the one-page file.

[@felleix]

@@beckysgraphicdesign ok thank you very much for the tip! but why no inner bleed? just so i know the logic

[@annadreamsart9756]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@itsmeiniaku]

how to split the pages as i tried to upload them on kdp amazon, but they count that double-size page as one?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

This video that I made is about making a STORYBOARD for your illustrator to follow, not the finished KDP product. I suggest laying out the print files in Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher, which both support proper two-page spreads.

[@alestizartchallenge7424]

Thx a lot so simple and I understand everything 🙏🤗❤️❤️❤️☕🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You are so welcome!

[@ravioliboy1581]

is there a way i can turn one into a physical book/booklet?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Yes, you can get a single copy printed at a local FedEx or print shop, or, if you want to self-publish, you can do so through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing.

[@ravioliboy1581]

@@beckysgraphicdesign thank u so much

[@juniemarz1902]

Thank you!!

[@SipsNChill]

Amazing amazing

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Thank you!

[@LostBiblicalBooks]

hi, which fonts you use for the writting?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Try to use high-contrast typefaces. (Pair a san-serif with a serif, or a thick type with a thin one.)

[@ExoticAirKing]

I wanna create an artistic book for adults, in this size. Do you think it is possible to label 300 pages with this size, or is it unrealistic in your eyes?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

It's possible to do in Canva, yes. It will take a while, but it's possible!

[@marystewart4994]

Can a person use Adobe InDesign for illustrating?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You coooooouuuuuuld, but Illustrator and Photoshop are much more calibrated for it.

[@jonathanbonaparte5673]

How do you include the book cover and copywrite page with this

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

I would recommend making a separate file for the cover entirely. As for the copyright page, you can add one more "spread" at the beginning and leave one "page" blank.

[@jonathanbonaparte5673]

@@beckysgraphicdesign then how would you submit both to Amazon as one PDF. Sounds like a idea for a new video LoL

[@Mazemzem]

thank you very much

[@kerrykennedy_author]

Subscribed

[@marystewart4994]

So I can use the graphics from free version of canva for my kids book and submit to kdp??

[@marystewart4994]

Do we start the text page after the first few pages so the copyright page and dedication page are done first?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You should have custom illustrations created by a book illustrator to avoid copyright issues. This video shows you how to make an outline for this illustrator that you need!

[@marystewart4994]

So we can’t use canva graphics for a storybook on kdp? I can’t afford an illustrator

[@whats-this-about]

​@@marystewart4994 you can the free graphics of Canva but can't claim them to be your own work in the sense that you took what's provided to make your own designs. Hope this makes sense. All the best with your work ♥️

[@marystewart4994]

Does the book cover have to be separate from book to upload to kdp?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

The covers for both print books and ebooks need to be separate files, yes.

[@paulfelix9081]

Hello Canva Becky, Is it possible to use your own illustrations in Canva, things that you have created yourself

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

YES! On the left side navigation is an upload button, just upload your files there. Then you can drag them over to your art board. It works well. Thanks for watching!

[@ricardorodriguezsantos2375]

Can you print a book that you made on Canva to sell it printed or as an ebook?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You could possibly do a Children's eBook with Canva, save it to a PDF, then let Kindle Create (a free program) convert it into a usable .KPF (eBook format). There are certain standards your file will have to pass, and it is easiest to create files for KDP or IngramSpark in Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher.

[@leelameka]

thank you : )

[@Pottymoon]

Can you do this in the App?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Hm, I don't know! I've not used the Canva App.

[@sohailgondal9558]

I need some help related to children ebooks paperback pdf perfect but clint need full page children's ebook

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Meaning that you need "spreads," like both the left and right pages showing at the same time? Have a look at this video; it may help! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJO5nopjfZJ8ZtU

[@sohailgondal9558]

@@beckysgraphicdesign thank you so much you are amazing too much amazing

[@Angel_guidence]

This was so greatly explained thank you so very much! Do you know any software/apps where I could make moving animations into a short film? Thanks again for the video! Very very helpful 💞✨

[@noelleallwin]

Adobe Suite!

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Adobe After Effects and Adobe Character Animator are good options but do have a learning curve. (Character Animator is easier, though.)

[@Angel_guidence]

Thank you both ✨💞

[@davidtourangeau]

Can you import a font in Canva?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You can import fonts if you pay for Premium Canva-that's Step One!

[@davidtourangeau]

@@beckysgraphicdesign Sorry... I'm french and the interface is different (paid version).

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

@@davidtourangeau Oh, huh. I am not sure, then. Sorry I'm not of much help!

[@shannielshakespeare7849]

Thanks Becky

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

You're welcome!

[@theevangelists7102]

How much to design a cover for me?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Check out our pricing here: beckysgraphicdesign.com/book-design-packages/

[@jesperfrovinjensen]

Although your presentation is good, there is a problem with your setup of the spread, as the page 1 - is to the right!! The way you show in your example only works from pages 2-3, 4-5, etc. If an illustrator uses your mock-up, page 1 text and page 2 illustration will be put before and after turning pages, respectively.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

This is correct. Unfortunately, Canva doesn't have an option (that I'm aware of) to have multiple page sizes in one document, so I ignored that single first page for the sake of the video, which focuses on the generation of the images, more than anything. Many children's books (that I've worked on) tend to have content that begins with a spread, while a dedication or title page takes up that first right-hand page.

[@ViralVideosBestVideos]

Hi Becky & Everyone!.. Please, share a video wherein Everything including Free App/ Entire process is covered to Finally Upload a book on KDP... Thanks! 😊👍📝

[@faisalmahmood359]

How to contact with u?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

See our website at: beckysgraphicdesign.com

[@faisalmahmood359]

@@beckysgraphicdesign what is your Facebook account

[@judisnyder4868]

You cannot download unless you purchase Pro. Alot of this you can no longer do without purchasing.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Oh, darn, really? Even just downloading?? Gosh, that's irritating.

[@yvonnecain7015]

You don't talk about the book spine

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Nope, not in this video. This is simply for storyboarding, not for making a print file. Check out this video for how to set up a cover: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImoYWZurq-FaZY

[@thakiusmuckfeather1103]

Do you NEED an illustrator?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Not necessarily, but I would not suggest using Canva images for anything more than storyboarding, if you are wanting to make a sellable Children's Book. These are stock images that are used all over the world. There may be future copyrighting issues, if they're not images that you've paid to had created. Additionally, I wouldn't suggest using Canva to create a finished children's book. The file set-up is not conducive to professional printers' specs.

[@jasbirkapoor]

Hello, I thought you were the illustrator.

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

As graphic designers, we work WITH illustrators, but it is often helpful to make a storyboard for the illustrator to follow. such as in this video!

[@starwissal213]

hello thinks

[@faisalmahmood359]

Hii

[@Dr3ampunk]

“Bicyle”

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

Gonna ride my bicyle in style, ya know?

[@makemoneynow8690]

Why not do all the pictures yourself and upload it straight to Kindle?

[@beckysgraphicdesign]

That's definitely an option! This tutorial is for those who are not artists and need to hire an illustrator. This allows you to make a free storyboard for your illustrator to follow. However, I wouldn't recommend using Canva to create your KDP files because the formatting is difficult to do correctly. (It's better to use Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher.)