17 Oct How I created a children’s book for my son using Canva
As a writer, I have always found the written word to be something extremely powerful. More so, I love how a collection of words can tell a story or capture a moment in time. As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for ways to create meaningful moments with my son … and story time is definitely one of them.
This past summer, I felt an urge to do something unique for him, something that would capture his growth, curiosity, and the special bond we share every time we pick up a book. That’s when the idea of writing a children’s book just for him came to life.
Finding inspiration in every day moments
The last four months have been a whirlwind of activity, but also a time of reflection. Each month, I capture my son’s milestones, his favourite toys, the special moments he shares with friends and family. Whether it was my son’s fascination with music, becoming best friends with our dog Louie, or creating memories with his grandparents, these moments have made up his early and best days.
I wanted to bottle up these experiences and translate them into something timeless. That’s how my ABC book for my son came to be—a collection of our shared adventures, small but powerful memories, each one linked to a letter of the alphabet.
Crafting the ABCs
It was easy to capture something special for each letter of the alphabet in addition to lessons I hope he will gain from reading the book as he gets older. For example:
- L is for Louie your furry best friend. With a wag of his tail the fun never ends!
- M is for Mama, who makes every day bright. Her love wraps around you, cozy and tight!
- N is for Nonni, who cook with such care. Their homemade lasagna is beyond compare!
By the time I reached the letter Z, I realized the book wasn’t just about learning the alphabet—it was a heartfelt tribute to our memories, friends, family and the early moments in my son’s life.
Bringing the book to life with Canva
Once I had the words down, it was time to bring them to life visually. That’s where Canva came in. Canva’s user-friendly design tools made the entire process of illustrating and formatting the book incredibly easy!
I started by creating a template that suited the playful and bright tone I wanted for the book. Canva’s library of illustrations allowed me to add colorful elements to each page. For “L is for Louie,” I found a cute, cartoon-style illustration of a white dog that perfectly captured our family dog. For “N is for Nonni,” which means grandparents in Italian, I found a fun image of grandparent’s cooking in the kitchen.
The flexibility of Canva meant I could customize each page exactly how I envisioned. I could change fonts, colours, and images to match the personality of each letter and its associated rhyme. It was a fun, creative process that reminded me of when I formally published my other children’s books, except this time the book was intended for just one special reader … my son.
Once I was satisfied with the design, Canva’s print service made it easy to turn the digital book into a tangible keepsake. This was my first time printing with Canva and I was extremely impressed with the quality of the book once it arrived. I chose to print a medium hardcover edition—something my son could flip through again and again without it wearing out.
When the book arrived in the mail, we sat down together, flipping through the pages, reliving our special moments, and pointing out the colourful illustrations that captured his imagination.
Writing this ABC book for my son was more than a creative project—it was a way to slow down and appreciate the last four months we’ve shared together.
As he grows, I hope to create more personalized books that reflect the different stages of his childhood.
For any parents out there thinking about creating something special for their little ones, I encourage you to try it! Whether it’s a book, a photo album, or a creative project you’ve been dreaming of, the time you spend capturing these moments is a gift that both you and your child will cherish for years to come.
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