How to Illustrate and Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP using Canva (Even if You Can't Draw!)
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- Опубликовано: 21 июл 2024
- In this video, I will be showing you how to publish and illustrate your very own children's story book on Amazon KDP by using Canva FOR FREE (even if you cannot draw!) This is a step-by-step guide complete with illustration tips that you can leverage immediately to create your first children's book!
Note: If you are new to KDP or have yet to publish your first low-content book, then I recommend you start out with my step-by-step tutorial on Low Content Journal Publishing here first: • Create a Journal to Se...
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES & LINKS:
Canva - Claim Your 30-Day FREE Canva Pro Trial:
partner.canva.com/6bMOQK
Fiverr - Freelancing Marketplace to Hire Illustrators (Use discount code IVYHANG for 10% off your first purchase):
go.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=9960...
Book Bolt - Get 20% off Book Bolt by using discount code: ivyhang
bookbolt.io/2508.html
Step By Step Tutorial on Low Content Journal KDP Publishing:
• Create a Journal to Se...
Amazon KDP Cover Calculator:
kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator
Amazon KDP Help Page on Trim Size, Bleed & Margins:
kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/top...
BUY ME A COFFEE:
Donations - www.buymeacoffee.com/ivyhang
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
02:25 Deciding on the Dimensions of Your Children's Story Book
02:58 Creating the Interior Pages of Your Children's Story Book (with Tips & Tricks)
10:53 Creating Your Children's Story Book Cover
11:47 Uploading & Publishing Your Children's Story Book on Amazon KDP
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase and/ or subscribe, at no additional cost to you. I will always only recommend products that I have personally used and liked. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content like this one.
EARNINGS DISCLAIMER: The videos on this channel are for educational and entertainment purposes only. All advice and guidance provided are based solely on my personal experience and opinion. There is no guarantee of success or revenue generation using the techniques and ideas discussed in these videos. Your success level will depend on many factors including your ability to dedicate time and resources as well as varying experiences and skillsets. 
Хобби
This is amazing. Paid to publish 3 other books and was planning to do the same when I came across this video. You have given me new inspiration.
So glad to hear! :)
The best tutorials I have come across. Including courses I have bought. Very inspiring and planned out. Thank you for creating this. Thank you for getting to point and sharing true step by step.
Thank you for your very kind comment- very glad to hear that you enjoyed it and found it helpful!!
Did it work out for you?
Great video! Definitely inspired me to start a story book. I’ve been hovering over the idea but never started. Thanks for the tips!!
So glad to hear!! You’ll love the experience- all the best with your story book! :)
I have to say, these videos are excellent. I thought I had found great videos but these are far superior. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your very kind words and support!
Wow! This video is amazing!!! I've been watching a lot of videos on RUclips and none of them really helped me, but in this videos you have given me all the answers I need. Thank you!!!
So glad to hear! Thanks for your kind comment :)
Great video!!! I am in the process of doing just that, using Canva for my illustrations! You're right. It' is challenging trying to get the same character in different poses etc., but it's also fun. I smiled when you said that sometimes we may have to adjust our story a little bit to go along with what we find. That is what I'm having to do, but not too many adjustments so far, but a few. Thanks so much for this video. I will definitely be checking out your others on publishing. Glad I found you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and found it relatable :). Good luck with your storybook!!
I tried uploading my story to kdp and it wouldn't take it from canvas because it was a pdf file. I was only publishing an ebook. I was wondering if someone can help me figure out what to do next. I spent a lot of time illustrating and would hate to have to scrap my project.
I'm so excited to start my projects! I've been wanting to write children's books for nieces and was worried about illustrations and printing! Thank you for making this!
Good luck with creating your children’s book! I’m sure your nieces are going to love it :)
@@ivyhang5084i am looking how you are puttung background elemetns .I was using fill to image .But amazon rejected my interior and send me to fix to add 0.125 inch more in with and to height .Basicly i dont know what they want me to .My childrens book is ready but they telling me to add 0.125 . 🤔😒
You did it again! 😃Got my story already and thought I'd have to hire an illustrator - part of why it was sitting there for so long. It on its own won an award and was included in a limited edition anthology. Now I know I can do it om my own.🙌🏾🙌🏾
Glad you found this video helpful! Also, congrats on your successful story and good luck with bringing it to life with your own illustrations! :)
Congratulations!!
I’m trying to be like you!🎉
I'm so happy to hear that! Mine has been sitting around because I didn't know what to do about illustration either until I decided to use canva and now I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate it into a book for Amazon. Thank you for the clarification that it works. 🙏🏾❤️
Congratulations! Do you own full rights to the artwork, since you found it on Canva?
I cannot thank you enough for this video! Thank you so so much! ❤
You're so welcome - Thanks for your support!
Wow! I just watched several other videos on this topic and yours was so impressive. I love all the details and visuals you shared to help us newbies learn how to do this. Thanks so much! Definitely subscribing 😊
Thank you so much for your support and kind words!
I love your generousity in sharing these details..very informative ❤️
You’re welcome, so glad to hear you doing it informative!
Anyone thinking of publishing your own children's story book? And if anyone has published one before, I would love to hear your experience too! ❤️
I want to but have ran into issues with size. I wanted to do a square book. Do you know the dimensions for page sizes?
Thanks Ivy i have just worked on my first children's book ,actually it was my 8 yold daughter who wants to publish her story book so i was designing the layout with the help of your vedio.thank you
I’ve had an idea for a children’s book for 25 years. I have an old art journal that has most of the story. I need the ending but I know what the ending is. I had no idea how to illustrate it. This is so awesome!!! Thank you I’m going to try this and I’ll let you know!!!
Ùu😮8 😮
I definitely am starting it now thanks to you !! Thank you so very much ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Excellent content, always used Canva but wasn't aware of most of these tips!! ❤️👏
Thanks for your kind words and so glad to hear you found it helpful!
Hi Ivy! My Mom wrote a short story about my young nephew and I have the wonderful task of putting it into a book, with illustrations! Thank you for the inspo!
That’s awesome- glad you found it helpful and all the best with putting your moms book together! That is such a sweet project :)
thank you so much for your great info. was watched many videos about this topic. but nobody explains the way you are explained. I like so much your video. very helpful.gonna create my first kid's storybook soon. I already wrote a couple of stories. waiting for the correct platform to choose without having much stress for publishing. Once again thank you.
Thank you for your very kind words and glad you enjoyed my videos!
yayy! very inspirational 😍 I'm looking forward to create my own children's book for my learners 💕
Thanks for your kind comment- good luck with creating your own!! :)
Useful,well-presented content!Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Happy to hear you enjoyed the content :)
Another great video Ivy. You are really doing great videos. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed my videos :)
Great Tutorial thank you I am so glad i've found your videos they have helped me so much
Thank you, I’m glad you found them helpful!
I have created the interior and the cover for a no content notebook on Canva, however, I can't figure out how to get them to KDP. I have 4 notebooks on KDP already that I created on KDP but this is the first time I have tried Canva, (free version). I like things that are simple without all the fluff and on this tutorial you nailed it, I am subscribing, thank you.
Bob
Thank you for your kind comment! I have another tutorial video which will basically show the step by step of how to create your low content journal and get it uploaded to kdp: ruclips.net/video/xfzQwBb8m9U/видео.html
Hope this helps! :)
Terrifically terrific teaching tutorial. Thank You
Thank you so much!
You are awesome. I published a collection of poems just by using your kdp tutorial.
So glad to hear!! Thank you for your support and all the best with your kdp journey! :)
Thank you so much. This is so helpful, I have so many books I've written, but I've been stuck on the actual process! Many blessings
I’m so glad this video has helped you move forward with publishing your books! All the best :)
Great video! Thanks for sharing and I have just completed my first book using Canva. Thanks again!❤
Thanks for your kind message and congrats on completing your first book! :)
I finished mine too would love to see your mine should be available by the end of the month just in time for National book giving month!
Hey Ivy! New subscriber here! Love your videos!
I've been using Canva for PoD, but am hoping to get into KDP soon, and your videos are great! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind comment and support! :)
thank you- your VIDEOS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST
Wow, thank you!
Thanks I'm formatting my book and I wish I could ask you some questions . Your videos made all this possible .Thank you
This video inspired me to create my own scenes. I would love to draw it myself, but it will take a very long time. Thank you 😊
Thank you for your comment, I’m glad this video inspired you to make your own story book scenes! All the best :)
Awesome video with so many great tips!
Thank you , glad you enjoyed it!
Very clear explanation. Thank you ❤️
Thank you for your kind words!
I love you Ivy you've made a while lot of things easy for me thanks a lot
I loveeeee you♥️♥️💪
Thank you for your support of my channel- I’m so glad you enjoy the videos and find them helpful! :)
New subscriber here. Already published my first Gratitude Journal in English and Spanish. Thank you thank you. thank you❤
Thank you for leaving a message and for your kind support! :) Conguratulations on publishing your first Gratitude Journal!
Great tutorial. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you so much for your kind comment and support!! I'm sorry for the delayed response as I realized I missed seeing some of the comments over the last few months. Thank you again for your support and so glad you enjoyed the video! :)
Making one for my kids! Thank you so much
Good luck I’m sure your kids would love it!!
Simple & clear...Thanks a lot❤
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you so much, your content is very helpful ❤
Thank you for your kind words! :)
Thanks 🎉🎉🎉 I’m currently working on one right away.
thanks for your kind comment - and good luck with your book! :)
Dammnnmn, your videos are so good. Thank you for the excellent tips.
Thanks for your kind comment!
Ivy, another great tutorial...detailed yet concise. Can you do a video on other stuff that is needed to publish, like should you create a business entity and have bank account before publishing...what are the administrative portions of KDP publishing. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind comment and suggestion! Will definitely add that to my list of videos to create:)
Great video, very informative, thank you.
Thanks for your kind comment! Glad you enjoyed the video :)
Thanks for this fantastic video!
You're welcome, glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Great job! Thanks!!🙏🙏🙏
Thank you!
Awesome tutorial!
Thank you for your kind words! :)
Really great, thankyou!
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
I love this video. Can we add our own characters to the graphic character choices to use in canva? I am writing a book now and illustrating the characters in different poses myself for different pages. But it sure would be easier to load them all into canvas and be able to click on them so I can add as many as I need for any particular poses or story movement rather than having to draw them repetitively. And backgrounds. I also love that you can add the wording at the click of a button on any illustrated page and cover/back.
Yup! You can certainly upload your own characters/,illustrations into canva and then complete you book there :)
Thank you for this information.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, this tutorial is a game-changer! 🚀 Thanks a million for breaking down the process of illustrating and publishing a children's book on Amazon KDP using Canva, especially for those of us who don't have Picasso-level drawing skills! There's some other tools which may help, like MagicPolly, BooksToPDF...
Thank you for your kind comment and glad you found my video helpful!! Feel free to check out my latest video on creating consistent charaters for your story books too if interested :) Link here: ruclips.net/video/dXv8csfZN3w/видео.html
thanks this is great and very insightful
Glad you found it helpful! :)
Great content! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for your kind words!
Great video!! Thank you so much!
Glad you found it helpful!
Loved it❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much!!
Found your channel today. It the best ☺️
Yay! Thank you!
THANK YOU! ❤🎉🎉🎉 God bless you 😊
You’re welcome!
so excellent...working on my first children's books...great ideas!! I can barely draw a straight line lol
Glad to hear you found it helpful! :) good luck with your children’s book
Hello Ivy 😊 I have recently discovered your videos and you have inspired me to jump on to this adventure and finally work on my dream to publish a children's book 😄❤ thank you for all your effort and information you give us to follow! I have a question about Canva, is it ligal to create a book with their designs and post it for sale, because ive read somewhere that was not ok to use their grafics.. it will be wonderful if you can make that clear, since i am following uour video step by step and whould like to tackle this manner...😊 maybe i should change to other place like book bolt instead?
Thanks, your videos are very useful for me....
Glad you found them useful! :)
This video is awesome!!!❤Thanks for sharing, What do you Check in KDP for publishing rights?
I was quite interested as you explained the section of this picture book tutorial in which you talked about finding a character that comes in different poses and activities - like the bears opposed to your racoons. However I am really struggling to find many characters which are these types. Perhaps I am doing something wrong but I can't find suitible people, children, family members for my story who have these attributes in Canva, pixaby or creative fabrica. Perhaps this method of using premade clip art only works if you write your story AFTER you find the pictures?
Thanks for your question- this method does require some flexibility with your story and characters as truly you would be limited to what you are able to find :). I usually start with a high level plot in my head but then would be flexible with the characters and how they look - hope this helps to answer your question. Creative fabrica is also a good place to try to find more graphics - but based on my experience, Canva (especially if you have the pro version) would have quite a lot too. Good luck and thanks so much for watching!
Great tutorial. It's helpful but I still worry about the copyright issues. Ma'am, please let us know how to check if the pictures on Canva are free royalty. For a beginner like me, it's a bit confusing to differentiate whether an element or an image on Canva is free royalty or not. Copyright is a big important issue. I know that many pictures or images on Canva are free royalty but some aren't and I don't know how to check them. I already try to modify the pictures, but it's better if I can check them for free royalty designs before making some designs on Canva using the elements provided by Canva. I'll really appreciate it if you can share this information with us. Thanks in advance.
Yes you are right. Canva has really janky copyright issues that could possibly get you in trouble if producing for sale
Thanks Ivy
Thank you for your kind comment!
@@ivyhang5084 Je vous en prie Ivy
This is definitely a great video to help out the non-artists or authors who can’t afford an illustrator, but please do your due diligence after watching the video and read up on Canva’s license and rules. Also do a little more research on IPS, copyrights and trademarks. For example, If you have an idea for a character you cannot claim trademark or exclusive rights on any elements or images that you use in your story otherwise you would be infringing.
Thank you!!🫶🏾
You’re welcome -thanks for your support!
You are the best 🥳
Thanks for supporting my channel!
Wow very helpful
Glad to hear!!
Great video. A few questions. Can additional background images be imported into CANVA. What is an I.S.B.N. number. Is there a way to protect my storyline from others coming in and stealing it. Let me know when you get a chance please. THANKS.
Great video, subscribed :)
Thanks for your support! I’m glad you enjoyed the video :)
hello, I illustrated one of my future children's books with illustrations mainly from Canva. I would keep knowing if from a copyright point of view I can use them as you proposed in one of your videos. I did add a few elements to modify the images on each of the pages, sometimes I made an assembly of several illustrations. Do I have to put the mention copyright Canva on the page intended for legal mentions? If so, should I cite the whole book indicating that the book was illustrated with Canva or do I cite page by page illustrated by Canva. Thank you in advance for your answer.
I am in India. Thank u so much for this video
Thanks for leaving a comment - I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you for this video, you are right... I have been trying to find images to match my story, but I need to change the story a bit to fit the image. I have been overthinking this entire process. 🙃
Glad this video helped - good luck with your story book!! :)
That's why it's better to hire an illustrator
@@KarlaLopez-ww3eh that takes the fun out it
Hi IvyI love how well you do your videos step by step and very informative. I have always wanted to make Childrens Storybooks since I was a kid too. Looking forward to trying this out. Thank You A fan...Gaylene
Thank you so much for your kind comments!! Good luck with your first storybook :)
Hello Ivy, In your video your book has one single page for each entry but what if I wanted a side by side page - I want the book to open and the images on "two" pages to be one - I wrote mine by doubling the width and placing a line through the middle but then I am nervous it will not transfer correctly when publishing. Is this something you can help me with?
This is gold. I've been searcing for tutorials creating children's book with canva and this is by far the easy and well explained I've watched. Follow-up question here - After downloading the manuscript, did select 'no bleed' on the margin?
In the case of a story book I would usually select bleed- because you want your graphics and background for your story book to go all the way to the edge and not leave a white border around. Hope this helps!
Check out my step by step low content book video in link below to get a grasp of the basics / foundational info if this is your first time creating a kdp book :). ruclips.net/video/xfzQwBb8m9U/видео.html
very helpful
Glad to hear! Thanks
I already have the illustrations done am interested in publishing it on Amazon.
Hello ivy great video. I want to know what to put if you put the text on the photo... i want a background on the text so that it will readable.
You can put a little box / shape layer between your text and the image - I’d that what you are referring to?
Awesome video!
Aww thanks a lot!!
@@ivyhang5084 no problem!
Thank you for this video. I have so much to learn. Can you show us how to upload our own pictures for a children's book?
Thank you for leaving a comment - do you mean you have self illustrated pictures you want to use for your story book? If so, you can just import them into Canva and then use them for your pages :)
Oh my God,I love you so much
Thanks for your kind message and glad to hear you like my videos.
Thank you!!
You’re welcome!
Wow loved the illustrations with my name Jasmin and my husband Andy :)))
Wow what a coincidence! Glad you enjoyed my video :)
Thank you for making this tutorial! You are a lifesaver!
No problem, glad you found it helpful!
Hello! These videos are so helpful! When I uploaded the cover to KDP, it shows both the back and the front together on the bookshelf page just like it looks in Canva. Is this normal? Because when I uploaded a journal, it just showed the front on the bookshelf page. I'm just wondering if I somehow messed something up and Amazon thinks my back and front are really just one long front lol. Hopefully this makes sense! Pretend these boxes are my back (black) and front (green) cover: ⬛🟩. On Canva, it shows like this: ⬛🟩 so that I can work on both at the same time. The journal did the same thing. Here's where they differ - on the KDP bookshelf, my journal looks like this: 🟩 - just the front. But my book looks like this: ⬛🟩 - showing both the back and the front together, same as on Canva. Hopefully, that illustration made more sense haha. Sorry this is so long!
Thank you for your videos they were very helpful. I do have a couple of questions. When creating a children's picture book using Canva and kdp, what is the recommended font size? And when creating the cover, if I choose to write the title of book and author on the spine will the front cover bleed into the spine or do I have to choose a color for the spine.
Thank you for your kind words! Regarding font size it will really depend on your book. - for example a book geared towards older kids will have more text and smaller font compared to a book geared towards preschool kids for example. I recommend playing around with the font size to find one that works best for your book. Regarding your question on spine- you will need to make sure it is small enough so it doesn’t bleed over or the spine is thick enough (ie the more pages the thicker the spine). For books with too little pages, Amazon actually won’t allow text on the spine. If it is your first time creating a book I highly recommend watching my other step by step video here which will teach you the fundamentals of creating a book from scratch :)
ruclips.net/video/xfzQwBb8m9U/видео.html
Thank you for taking the time and responding back. I greatly appreciate it. Your information was very helpful and yes this will be my first book. Thank you again.
What programs do you suggest for altering canva elements so the book can be sold?
I just use Canva for the graphic elements. I’ve answered your other question in terms of what “altering” means. Hope that helps!
This was a great video! Do you have a video on how to get your canva creations from Canva onto amazon kdp?
Hi Ivy,
Thank you for the informative video. I find that in my canva pro, I get a default margin that I am unable to change. I contacted tech support and they said the same thing that it cannot be changed. How were you able to drag the ruler and create a margin? When I do it, I get a solid blue line but the default margins are still there.
Also, have you ever done a two page spread?
Sorry for my delayed response as I missed this comment initially. Regarding margins, you should technically be able to drag the margins around on canva pro. Did you try to import the margins again by going to File>>Show ruler and margins? Hope this works!
Regarding two pages I have done it before and perhaps I can create a video on that at some point :)
Already earned one subscriber.
Thank you!
Can you do a video on pdf to ePub conversion? in respects to two page e-book alignment.If we make our books in Canva does the pdf file automatically print in order? like looking at the grid view- will I automatically get that two page view in my book
Nice content ivy, thumbs up!
Unrelated but I wanted to ask when purchasing already made interiors from creative fabrica, the interiors that come with bleed when I want to customise or make modifications to them do I need to also make space for margins or that has already been taken care of?
@deborah abayomi - that's a great question and I think the downloaded sheets should already be of the correct trim size, however you would still need to be mindful of margins when you add things or modify the original template because you wouldn't want your newly added elements to fall outside of margin and get cut off during printing.
Thank you ivy
Great video Ivy! Thanks for such concise instructions. I was wondering why Amazon KDP says my children's book "only has 21 pages. I should have 70 or more". ?? Am I missing a keyword in the instructions?
Great question, with Amazon kdp you need at least 24 pages. You can add some copy right pages or “the end” pages to fill the space if required :)
Thank you , i think it's better that the background should cover to side by side page in one sense
Thank you- yes you can definitely have one scene span across two pages too! :)
Thank you for this video! Extremely helpful. I just have a question, using Canvas, and when the book is sell, do I have to pay the illustrations creators for using their creations? 🤔
No you won’t - your canva subscription will cover you for that but just make sure to always be aware of canva’s terms of use :)
Great video. Just wondering if there are any limited distribution traps for a book that is 8.5 x 8.5?
Thanks for your kind words. Just to make sure I understand the question, what do you mean by distribution traps?
How did you get the images to go all the way to the edge of the page in the ebook kindle version?
Such an amazing and very informative vedio.
I want to ask does these storey books have copyright issues or not?can I take idea of story and scenes from Google? Please guide
Thank you for your very kind words. If you are using graphics from canva you should be good as they are royalty free. However I would make sure the ideas of the scenes are your own and you’re not copying anyone else to ensure you don’t risk infringing on any copyrights.
Hi ivy, I followed your video and made my first book
However my question is how did you select a good paper quality for your children's book? As my author's proof I got was really disappointing. A very light weight paper interior. I did choose the premium option as well.
I just selected the coloured pages offered by Amazon kdp- I was personally satisfied with the quality. But It is definitely more on the non glossy side so you could be disappointed if you were expecting the pages to be glossier
Thanks!
You’re welcome! :)
Hi - Your videos are so easy to follow, Thank you! I believe I noticed you use the premium version of Canva. What other resources or software do you have paid memberships for? It seems like someone could end up paying for many different websites when some might not be necessary. Thanks again!
Thanks for your kind comment. I primarily use canva pro and bookbolt :) for ai tools, I use mid journey
Great tutorial! I have a question,
If you are using the premium colors instead of black and white, what should be the pricing for the book without any investment of money?
Amazon kdp is print on demand - which means you don’t pay any printing costs unless someone orders your book. At that time your royalties will then be calculated by the price of your book minus printing costs and any other fees. There is no up front cost :)
Color printing cost will depend on the size and number of pages. When you upload the book to kdp you will be able to see the printing costs and fees and can then price your book accordingly to ensure you make a profit with every sale :)
@@ivyhang5084 Thanks Ivy!
This helped a lot ❤️
Is it O.K. to have your back cover scenery over your ISBN box? Do you need to cut that part of the scenery out? Good video!
It is completely fine as long as you don’t mind that part of the scenery being covered up by the barcode :)
Hello Ivy I'm planning to publish my book. How do you copyright your book?