A memory children ask about
Turn a childhood adventure, funny mishap, meaningful trip, or often-retold moment into a story with a beginning, middle, and satisfying ending.
A picture book for children and grandchildren
Turn your family story into a children’s book.
Preserve a favorite memory, tradition, family adventure, or lesson as an illustrated book the children you love can hold and reread. Work directly with Toby from anywhere in the United States. You can begin with an idea, outline, or draft—no publishing knowledge is required to request a free sample direction.
$200 complete standard package: $100 after the fit and scope are confirmed, then $100 at final approval. No payment is required for the sample; production begins with your final, proofread manuscript.
20+years in illustration and book production
$200complete custom picture-book package
$100 + $100start after scope approval, finish at book approval
Start with one meaningful moment
You do not need a sweeping family history.
A short picture book works best when it gives children one clear story, feeling, or tradition to remember.
A person or tradition to remember
Build the book around a grandparent, parent, loved one, family recipe, holiday custom, hometown, or tradition that matters to the next generation.
A message only you can give
Share courage, kindness, faith, humor, resilience, or another family value through a child-friendly story instead of a lecture.
A personal, guided process
From your memory to a finished picture book.
Toby handles the visual and production decisions directly with you. The schedule is confirmed in writing after the story, scope, and direction are understood.
- 01
Share the heart of it
Describe the memory, who the book is for, and what you hope children feel or remember.
- 02
Finish the words
You supply the final, proofread manuscript before full production begins. Writing or major editing can be quoted separately.
- 03
Approve the look
Toby develops one coordinated visual direction. You review the characters, setting, mood, and important family details before the complete book is built.
- 04
Review and finish
You review the assembled book, request changes within the approved concept and scope, and receive the final publishing files after approval.
Your complete custom book
The story, pictures, pages, and files come together.
- Custom front-cover design and final paperback cover file
- Up to 32 designed interior pages; cover is separate
- One trim size and one paperback edition
- One approved visual direction
- Complete interior layout and coordinated typography
- Revisions through final approval within the agreed scope
- Print-ready paperback files
- Practical Amazon KDP production and listing support*
Want every boundary in writing first? Review the complete $200 package →
Creative choices, explained clearly
Know who is making the book and how.
Work directly with Toby Mikle
Toby brings more than 20 years in illustration and book production and personally guides the visual direction, page design, revisions, and final files.
Review verifiable experience →Artist-directed AI-assisted visuals
Toby selects, directs, edits, and coordinates the artwork around the approved story and visual rules. AI-assisted work is disclosed openly, including accurate KDP disclosure when required.
Read about AI and publishing rights →Traditional illustration is available
A fully traditional or non-AI illustration route can be quoted separately because its labor, schedule, and rights structure differ from the standard package.
Ask about a traditional quote →Can photographs help guide the pictures?
Yes. You may share copies or links to family photographs you own or have permission to use. Explain which faces, clothing, places, objects, and details matter. The approved book uses a coordinated storybook direction; an exact photographic likeness is not promised unless specifically agreed.
Do I need to understand self-publishing or Amazon KDP?
No. Toby explains the relevant trim, page, cover, file, and production choices and provides practical KDP support. You keep control of your account and never share passwords, tax information, banking information, or payment-card details.
What does the KDP support guarantee cover?
For a compliant title and client KDP account in good standing, Toby corrects and resubmits correctable cover or interior production-file issues at no additional charge until the title is accepted and live. Amazon controls content, metadata, rights, identity, account status, policy decisions, acceptance, distribution, suppression, and continued availability.
A story they can hold and reread.
Begin with the family memory you do not want lost.
No payment or publishing knowledge is required to request a free sample direction.