Adding 3D elements to a printed picture book is a terrific way to help children of all ages develop a love of physical books. If you’re creating books for very small children, you might add pictographic instructions above images that require 3D viewing tools. As children become more comfortable following pictographic instructions, you can incorporate words and help them build word recognition skills.
1. Make the Book and Viewing Tools Into a Kit
Learning to care for printed books is a vital skill for young children. If you’ve got an idea for a 3D picture book, consider incorporating both the book and the glasses or a viewer into a kit that can easily be boxed up and put on a shelf.
Such a kit might be a boxed set with a cover 3D image. This can remind the child to pull the glasses or viewer out of the kit before they start looking at the book. If you’re going with detachable cardboard glasses, consider incorporating an extra pair into the packaging as it’s easy to lose the first pair. If you’ve got a more substantial viewer, make sure that the packaging offers a very specific spot for this more permanent tool.
2. Pay Attention to Gaps and Gutters
In a child’s picture book, the gutter is the fold where the pages meet as they’re joined at the spine. Take care to set plenty of space around an image that will require the 3D viewing tool.
You can do this in several ways. You can create a colorful order or create a border that features the word “glasses” in a readable pattern for a small child. The 3D viewing experience will be more substantial if the image is as obvious as possible. Consider creating a wide border for the image where the child can trace their finger around it for closer focus.
3. Go With a Large Format
A large format or uniquely shaped book may make the 3D image creation process even easier. In a large format book, you can dominate one side of the opened pages with your image and one side with your story. You can also create search puzzles for children to enjoy while they play with their 3D viewer and book.
Very large format books can also be created to share with children in a classroom. In such cases, your packaging process will be different; many pairs of detachable classes may be necessary so all the children can enjoy the image as the teacher reads.
You can build further interest by offering a framed image of the cover of your book or of the most striking 3D image in the book. If you produce an audiobook for children to enjoy on their own, make sure your recording includes instructions about using their 3D viewing tools.
Children love the experience of having someone read to them. The addition of a 3D image can give a child an even more exciting experience with a book. Your book could quickly become a unique and exciting favorite.
