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Illustrated stories

AI storybook generator

kdpbook.io's AI storybook generator turns a one-sentence idea or your own manuscript into a 40-page illustrated storybook at 8 × 10 in with bleed: it writes, illustrates and lays out the book, then exports the interior PDF, the full-wrap cover PDF, a Kindle EPUB and a listing sheet for KDP. The default book costs about 3,200 credits (≈ $32).

A longer illustrated story for ages 5–8 with a picture above and a paragraph below on every page, and full-page art at the key moments.

To sell the book, export it on a paid plan: every plan from $25/month (Starter, 2,500 credits a month) gives watermark-free files with a commercial license, and kdpbook.io takes no royalty. See plans

8 × 10 in Premium color · white paper 40 pages Paperback Kindle eBook
Make an illustrated storybookSee the KDP specs

Default book ≈ 3,200 credits (≈ $32) · estimate shown before launch

Need an idea? 20 illustrated children’s story ideas you can start in one click.

Already wrote the story? Illustrate your children’s book with AI.

An open illustrated storybook on a desk, showing a sample interior spread
What’s inside

How an illustrated storybook is laid out

The image takes the top 55 to 65% of the page and a 60 to 150 word paragraph goes underneath in 14 to 16 pt. Use a full-bleed page at key story beats.

The default voice is adventurous: momentum, discovery, brave choices. You can change the audience, tone and length in the Story step.

Pages
40
24–96 possible
Illustrations
35
in the default book
Words
2,500
1,000–6,000 typical
Credits
≈ 3,200
≈ $32 for the default book
Start from an idea

Three illustrated storybook ideas to start from

Each one opens a new illustrated storybook with the idea already written in. Change anything before a page is made.

KDP specs

The numbers KDP will check

These are the specs of the default illustrated storybook, computed from our KDP rulebook: the same code that lays out your pages and sizes your cover. Change the trim, paper or page count and every number updates.

Paperback

Available ✓

8 × 10 in, premium color · white paper, 40 pages by default.

Hardcover

With changes

Possible with a different trim or page count. Hardcover is only offered in 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10 and 8.25 × 11 in.

Kindle eBook

Available ✓

Fixed-layout EPUB: every page keeps its design, like the print edition.

Default illustrated storybook · paperback

Default trim:
8 × 10 in
Other trims:
8.5 × 11, 8.5 × 8.5, 7 × 10, 7.5 × 9.25, 8.25 × 11 in
Ink & paper:
Premium color · white paper
Bleed:
Yes, 3 sides
Interior page size:
8.125 × 10.25 in
Pages (default):
40 · template 24–96
KDP page range:
24–828 for this ink & trim
Minimum margins:
0.375 in gutter · 0.375 in outside
Spine width:
0.094 in at 40 pages
Full cover (wrap):
16.344 × 10.25 in
Printing cost (US):
$4.20 per copy
Minimum list price:
$8.40
Languages:
English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch + 27 more
Selling rights:
Commercial license on paid plans (from $25/month)
Expanded Distribution:
Eligible for this trim and paper

At a $10.99 list price, KDP pays about $2.39 per copy sold on Amazon.com. Check any price with the royalty calculator.

Expanded Distribution

✓ Checked on

The default paperback can be enrolled in Expanded Distribution: it offers the paperback to bookstores and libraries outside Amazon at a 40% royalty.

KDP's distributors, not KDP, decide which books they accept. Which books they accept or may decline → Source: KDP Help: Expanded Distribution (opens in a new tab).

Made with kdpbook

Real illustrated storybooks made with kdpbook

Books made with kdpbook by its authors and the kdpbook team, free to read in the 3D book player.

Browse illustrated stories →
Recommended styles

Styles that suit an illustrated storybook

All styles →
Who it’s for

Audiences

Preschool (3–5) Early readers (5–8) Middle grade (8–12)

Fonts, type size, sentence length and vocabulary follow the audience you pick, and children’s books get the reading-age field for your KDP listing.

Publishing tips

Before you publish

  • From 72 pages, standard color becomes available and prints much cheaper than premium color for text-heavy illustrated books.
  • A hardcover needs at least 75 pages and a hardcover trim (5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10 or 8.25 × 11 in).
KDP review

Common KDP rejections for this type

The KDP messages that apply to an illustrated storybook, and what usually causes them. The KDP preflight in the editor checks for each of them before you export.

Step by step

How to make an illustrated storybook for KDP

  1. 01

    Describe the book

    Describe your illustrated storybook in one sentence, or import your own text, then set the main characters, the writing style and the reading level.

  2. 02

    Choose the style

    Pick an illustration style and meet your main characters, or describe your own.

  3. 03

    Confirm the KDP format

    Start from 8 × 10 in, premium color · white paper with bleed, or change trim, paper and page count.

  4. 04

    Generate and edit

    The story is written page by page with a picture above each paragraph and full-page art at the key moments. Edit text and images with a live preview.

  5. 05

    Export and fill your KDP draft

    Download the interior PDF, the cover PDF, the Kindle EPUB and the listing sheet. Upload them to KDP yourself or, on a paid plan, let kdpbook Publisher (Chrome or Edge on a computer) fill your KDP draft with them; either way, you review the draft and click Publish.

    How kdpbook Publisher works →

Illustrated storybook questions

What trim size is best for an illustrated storybook on KDP?

kdpbook.io starts illustrated storybooks at 8 × 10 in on premium color interior with white paper, with bleed. You can switch to 8.5 × 11 in, 8.5 × 8.5 in, 7 × 10 in, 7.5 × 9.25 in and more; the layout and cover are recalculated for the new size.

How many pages should an illustrated storybook have?

Our illustrated storybook template runs 24–96 pages and defaults to 40. For this ink and trim, KDP accepts 24–828 pages. KDP counts every page, including front matter and blank pages, and rounds odd counts up to an even number.

How much does it cost to print an illustrated storybook on KDP?

At the default 40 pages, 8 × 10 in, premium color · white paper, KDP's printing cost on Amazon.com is $4.20 per paperback copy, so the lowest list price KDP allows is $8.40. At $10.99 you would earn about $2.39 per copy sold on Amazon.com. Printing costs change with the marketplace, trim and page count.

Can I publish an illustrated storybook as a Kindle eBook?

Yes. Fixed-layout EPUB: every page keeps its design, like the print edition. It is exported from the same project as the paperback and hardcover.

Can I make an illustrated storybook in Spanish, German or French?

Yes. kdpbook.io can make an illustrated storybook in 34 languages that KDP publishes, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch. On KDP, Polish, Ukrainian and Yiddish are print only, and Arabic, Hindi, Chinese (Traditional), Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati and Malayalam are eBook only. The kdpbook.io editor is in English, and the Book assistant replies in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese, following the language you write in.

How many credits does an illustrated storybook cost on kdpbook.io?

The default illustrated storybook (40 pages, 35 illustrations, about 2,500 words) is estimated at 3,200 credits, about $32. You see the exact estimate before you launch, only what is produced is charged, and the rest of the hold goes back to your balance.

Can I sell an illustrated storybook made with kdpbook.io on Amazon?

Yes, on a paid plan (from $25/month): its files have no watermark and come with a commercial license, while free-plan files are a watermarked preview. Plans: kdpbook.io/pricing.

Can an illustrated storybook use KDP Expanded Distribution?

Eligible for this trim and paper. The default paperback can be enrolled in Expanded Distribution: it offers the paperback to bookstores and libraries outside Amazon at a 40% royalty.

Illustrated storybook or picture book: which should I make?

A picture book tells a short story in 10–60 words per page over full-page art, for ages 0–8. An illustrated storybook is longer: 60–150 words per page under a picture, 1,000 to 6,000 words in all, set at 14–18 pt for ages 3–12. Pick it for children who read on their own or listen to longer stories.

Do I have to tell Amazon the book was made with AI?

Yes, for AI-generated content. KDP asks you to declare AI-generated text, images or translations when you publish or republish a book, even if you edited them substantially. Text kdpbook writes is AI-generated, while a manuscript you wrote yourself and import stays your own text. The illustrations and cover art kdpbook paints are AI-generated images. The export sheet pre-fills the answers from what was actually generated for your book.

Related book types

Made with kdpbook

Read illustrated stories other authors made with kdpbook, free in the 3D book player.

Browse illustrated stories →
Make it with kdpbook

Make your illustrated storybook today.

Describe it in one sentence. kdpbook.io writes, illustrates and lays out the book at 8 × 10 in, then gives you the interior, cover and listing sheet for KDP.

Make an illustrated storybookSee pricing

2,000 free credits · no card required