> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://readkidz.gitbook.io/readkidz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://readkidz.gitbook.io/readkidz/how-to-create-a-complete-picture-book-with-readkidz-3.0.md).

# How to Create a Complete Picture Book with ReadKidz 3.0

<figure><img src="/files/h4OsOxKZ6kr7fKusREH8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

ReadKidz 3.0 brings the complete picture-book workflow into one clearer, more connected experience. You can move from a simple story idea to a finished illustrated book, edit individual pages, add narration, preview the result in multiple formats, and prepare the book for sharing, export, or printing.

In this tutorial, we will create **The Dark Is Full of Stars**, a gentle bedtime story about a little hedgehog named Pip.

### Watch the complete video tutorial

You can watch the full ReadKidz 3.0 tutorial below before following the written steps.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/hVxgX8NuxJE>" %}

If you prefer written instructions, continue with the step-by-step guide below.

### What is new in ReadKidz 3.0?

* A more seamless workflow from story idea to finished picture book.
* Easier access to saved characters for stronger visual consistency.
* Clearer, structured management of the story and individual pages.
* Images, text, prompts, references, and page tools are gathered in one editor.
* More flexible preview experiences, including standard book preview and 3D Book.
* More ways to use the finished book, including shared reading, page video, PDF export, and printing.
* A more intuitive interface for first-time picture-book creators.

### Before you begin

Prepare a short story idea. One or two sentences are enough. You can also choose characters that you have already saved in ReadKidz.

Image generation, narration, video generation, and other AI operations may use credits. Review the estimated cost shown in ReadKidz before confirming a generation task.

### Step 1: Start from the ReadKidz 3.0 homepage

Open ReadKidz and select **Picture Book** at the top of the homepage.

1. Enter a short description of the story you want to create.
2. Select **Characters** if you want to reuse saved characters.
3. Choose the genre, target age, and book ratio.
4. Click the green arrow to begin.

> **Tip:** Reusing a saved character helps maintain the same recognizable appearance throughout the book and across multiple projects.

<figure><img src="/files/s6cSOKtnm9mXqxV6TkZT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Generate and refine the story

ReadKidz turns your idea into a structured story. Review the generated text before moving on.

To revise a specific passage, select the text and choose one of the quick actions:

* **Smoother** to improve the flow.
* **Shorter** to make the passage more concise.
* **More vivid** to add stronger visual detail.
* **More childlike** to simplify the language for young readers.
* **Custom** to describe the change in your own words.

This lets you adjust only the section that needs work without repeatedly rebuilding the entire story.

<figure><img src="/files/31THHv6TFVedJgryIprV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 3: Select the visual style

Choose the visual direction that best matches the story.

1. Browse **Illustration styles** or **Art styles**.
2. Preview how each style looks.
3. Click **Use this style** when you find the right direction.

> **Tip:** The selected style establishes the visual language for the whole book, so consider the story mood, reader age, and intended use before continuing.

<figure><img src="/files/uVXoF7irSCC3WmLpedCY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 4: Create and confirm the cast and visual assets

ReadKidz organizes the characters, base looks, scenes, and other visual elements required by the story.

For each character:

1. Click **Generate** to create the character appearance.
2. Review the result and regenerate it if necessary.
3. Confirm the look you want to use.
4. Save a reusable character to Character Workshop when appropriate.

<figure><img src="/files/eNOT4LgvGqwsG5wlk3ZK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Confirmed character references help ReadKidz keep facial features, clothing, body proportions, and other recognizable details consistent across pages.

When all required assets are ready, you can generate the book illustrations page by page or use **Generate all**. ReadKidz displays the estimated credit cost before the full-book generation begins.

<figure><img src="/files/fwltwhYgppusClyjLt62" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 5: Enter the unified picture-book editor

The ReadKidz 3.0 editor brings the main production tools into one workspace:

* The page list is on the left.
* The current page is displayed in the center.
* **Assistant**, **Edit**, **Prompt**, and **Voice** tools appear on the right.
* Book-level actions such as **Background music**, **Generate video**, **Preview book**, **Print**, and **Settings** are available at the top.

Select any page from the left-side list to edit its illustration, text, prompt, references, or narration.

<figure><img src="/files/QiRaikqrXKCaVmPO2WDB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 6: Edit the page text and layout

Use **Show text** to display the existing text boxes, or select **Add text box** to add another one.

<figure><img src="/files/II3NDSn0O6kahkzbq14l" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When a text box is selected, you can adjust its content and formatting, including:

* Font and text style.
* Size, color, and alignment.
* Position on the page.
* Preset title and body treatments.
* Applying a consistent style across multiple pages.

<figure><img src="/files/HRg0Op6OqV4UUaii4uc4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Use the additional page menu when you need to **Split page** or **Restore initial text layout**.

<figure><img src="/files/3EeIPuNc3gNSziHVxPSE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

ReadKidz saves page versions, allowing you to review alternatives and return to an earlier result when needed.

<figure><img src="/files/0Z6wzrt8qtigeQTsifIh" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 7: Edit part of an illustration with Pudding

You do not need to regenerate an entire page when only one area needs changing.

1. Open the page illustration editing tool.
2. Paint or outline only the area you want to change.
3. Refine the mask with the eraser if necessary.
4. Describe the requested change in natural language.
5. Generate the edited version and compare it with the original.

Only the selected area is regenerated. The remaining illustration stays protected, helping preserve the composition and character consistency.

<figure><img src="/files/nECpUUnwUovEhmJDjCLQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 8: Add narration and finishing details

Open the **Voice** tab to turn page text into narration.

1. Choose a voice.
2. Preview the voice before generating.
3. Adjust the speaking speed if needed.
4. Generate narration for the current page or synthesize the whole book.

You can also use the tools at the top of the editor to add background music or create page videos.

<figure><img src="/files/NUfwN2m3sgpnBy0g4iax" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Open **Settings** to review book-level options. You can add a custom text or image watermark and control where it appears.

<figure><img src="/files/ioFJdWFbv2RnozIUWQWX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 9: Preview the completed book

Select **Preview book** after the pages are ready.

ReadKidz provides multiple ways to experience and present the result. The 3D Book preview places the picture book in an immersive reading environment and supports options such as:

* Book or Pop-up presentation.
* Different reading environments.
* Page-turning controls.
* Reading light and fullscreen viewing.
* Story display and interactive reading controls.

Always preview the complete book before exporting or printing. Check the page order, text placement, illustration consistency, narration, and cover.

<div><figure><img src="/files/dCd1Yc1NKxLTQS9wMxSJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/Bnsqht1ik6xo9QTkJOoT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Step 10: Print a physical copy

Click **Print** to run the page quality check and open the print order form.

1. Review the page-check result.
2. Add the author information and optional dedication.
3. Enter the recipient and shipping address.
4. Review the book format, price, and shipping information.
5. Continue only after confirming that all details are correct.

<figure><img src="/files/ifu1pYDxezqf9EQjnDhP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 11: Export, share, or continue creating

After the book is complete, use the publishing and output tools to choose what happens next.

Depending on the available project options, you can:

* Share the reading experience.

<figure><img src="/files/N3vD5p2ReApfGV6MsfTn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Export the picture book as a PDF.

<figure><img src="/files/USiblC06Ome9oXKQF5pL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Create page videos or a complete animated version.

<figure><img src="/files/slZ0QKONd9dXgQheX2Ha" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Continue editing the project at any time, you can:
  * Grow this book with one more chapter, or
  * Start a new adventure with the same characters and world.

<figure><img src="/files/NEBPymyqYx2zVy81p63J" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Final checklist

Before publishing or printing, confirm that:

* The story is appropriate for the target age.
* Character appearances remain consistent throughout the book.
* Every page has the correct illustration and text.
* Text is readable and does not cover important visual details.
* Narration and background audio have been previewed.
* The cover title and page order are correct.
* The complete book has been checked in Preview Book or 3D Book.

You have now created a complete picture book with ReadKidz 3.0—from the first story idea to an editable, shareable, exportable, and printable finished book.

Start creating at [ReadKidz](https://www.readkidz.com/).