Let's Create Your Own Stories

English picture books are quite popular in recent years. Some English teachers in elementary schools or junior high schools are even trying to integrate English picture books into their lesson plans. In my opinion, it's a nice way for teachers to enhance their students' learning interest. 

Teachers can search for some online English picture books as their teaching material. However, it would be greater if teachers can create their own English picture books for their students. The much cooler thing is that their students can even create their picture books; or they collaborate with each other or with teachers to invent the picture books.  If you are wondering "where can I find this kind of website", then now you are in the right place!

The website for making your picture books is called "Storybird". Actually, you can both read and create stories here. And it's totally free for you to apply for an account. When you apply for an account, you can choose the type of your account. There are 3 types: regular account, teacher account and kid account (under 13).

The most special account is  "a teacher account". If you apply for a teacher account, you basically have a class in Storybird. It allows you to assign homework to the students, create stories with your students, open a online board for discussion, etc. (Of course, if you pay some fee, you'll get more functions designed for teacher account.)

There are different kinds of drawings provided by some talented artists. It seems that you can only choose one artist's work to invent the picture book. But I have also seen several people's story books that used one more artists' work. I am still trying to figure out how they do it. If you have figured out how to do that, you may kindly share the tips with us.

As I have said before, Stoybird allows learners to read stories that are already created by others. And some published stories are even rated the level of the stories by the creators. Hence, if teachers don't feel liking creating stories by themselves, they can find some suitable stories for the learners according to the rated level. But since the rated level is still quite objective, teachers need to go over the stories they choose for their students.  

Finally, I am going to show you a profound and educational picture book with you. It's one of my favorite stories I found on Storybird! Hope you enjoy the story!

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