Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Overwhelmed by digital pictures and your child's artwork?  Combine the two to create a digital storybook using PowerPoint!  

A digital storybook enables your children to view their favorite pictures and artwork over and over again on either the computer or as a printed hard copy.  With your child's help, you can add text to help your child remember each picture and reinforce the importance of reading.  

Here's a handy guide about how to create your own digital storybook:

Materials needed:

• Digital photos and/or scanned pieces of artwork
• Computer
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Printer (optional)

To create a digital storybook in PowerPoint:

1. Select PowerPoint presentation
2. Using the top menu bar, choose Insert and select Picture to put a picture on each page
3. Repeat until the artwork/photo has been added
4. Invite your child to sit with you at the computer
5. Ask them to tell you about each piece of art
6. Create a text box underneath each picture
7. Write a sentence or two about your child's picture
8. Read the book on the computer and/or print it out on a color printer
9. Bind your new book by punching holes in the pages and placing it in a 3 prong portfolio folder available from your nearest office supply store. 
   
10. E-mail the creation to family members so they can oohhh and ahhh over it!
    

Now your child has a brand new book featuring their artwork, favorite photos, and words!  Nothing is more empowering than writing your own story and fostering those beginning writing skills!