5 Promotional Products that Will Bring Your Children’s Book to Life
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Congratulations! You’ve published a children’s book and are now ready to captivate the attention of your imaginative, young audience. As a published children’s book author myself, one of the greatest joys in crafting a story is creating fun and engaging characters. The more connected children feel with your characters, the more likely they are to connect with your story.
And there’s no better way to connect with the hearts and minds of children than by bringing your story to the real world.
In my previous post, we explored the importance of creating memorable and engaging characters. It’s now time for these characters to take centre stage by stepping off the page! Promoting your characters with products can help children interact with the personalities and setting described in your story, fostering deeper engagement with your message.
Throughout my journey as an author, I’ve had the opportunity to connect directly with full classrooms of children. While reading my story in schools, I’ve discovered meaningful ways to help children connect more deeply with the characters and story. Let’s explore 5 fun promotional products to help bring your children’s book off the page and into real-life.
Showcase your stars
Whether you’re launching your book or showcasing it at a market, fair, or children’s event, a well-branded, eye-catching promotional display draws readers in.
Rather than simply putting your books on a table, think outside the booth and incorporate life-sized character illustrations, themed props, and other interactive elements. A whimsical backdrop can set the scene, while props encourage hands-on exploration. A life-size character on a standing banner sparks curiosity; the more children are able to recognize familiar characters, the more connected they feel, and the more likely they are to engage with your story.
An effective display also serves as a powerful marketing tool. By creating a memorable, unique experience at events, bookstores, or fairs, your book is more likely to be shared on social media and through word of mouth. Aim to turn a passive browsing experience into an engaging encounter and your readers will be sure to step into your scene and interact with your story.
Make your (book)mark
Bookmarks are a simple yet incredibly effective promotional item. They make a wonderful take-away for children, helping to extend the magic of your story beyond your book reading. A thoughtfully designed bookmark—featuring your characters, illustrations, and perhaps a catchy tagline—keeps the memory of your story alive long after it’s been told.
When making school visits, bookmarks serve as a fun and natural conversation starter during those after-school moments when parents go through their little one’s backpack. Instead of the typical one-word answer that often follows the classic question, “How was school today?” — an engaging, story-themed bookmark can catch a parent’s eye and spark a lively conversation between caregiver and child. Bookmarks provide an easy way for children to share what they experienced at school. They may even re-tell your story, sharing their favourite moments.
A simple bookmark can bridge the gap between school and home, providing a moment of connection and possibly even storytelling! By helping keep the story alive, bookmarks invite young readers to return to the world you created, reminding them of your story each time they open the next book they’re reading.
Colour your characters
Children love to express their imaginations through colouring. Creating simple colouring pages based on the illustrations found in your book is a wonderful way to encourage children to engage with what’s on the page — and likely outside the lines! Through colouring, young readers can interact with your characters in new ways, adding their own colours that bring alive emotion and personalized expression. Providing printable pages featuring your book’s characters or scenes gives kids an opportunity to immerse themselves into the world you’ve created (and beyond).
Parents and teachers also appreciate activities that encourage the development of fine motor skills through creativity. Whether you share your colouring pages as free downloads or hand them out at events, they create a lasting impression and serve as a simple, cost-effective promotional tool that keeps your book top of mind. When a book extends beyond its pages and transforms into an interactive experience, it deepens engagement and encourages families to return to your story again and again.
Sticker your story
Many children are natural born collectors who love accumulating just about anything, and stickers are a perfect space-saving item that can create a lasting impression. Stickers make great giveaways at events and classroom readings, encouraging word-of-mouth chatter as well as hands-on engagement with your characters.
Like a favourite book that gets read over and over again, stickers featuring your book’s characters allow children to carry a small piece of the story with them wherever they go. I know firsthand from my own children that stickers tend to end up on notebooks, school supplies, and more. If the child is an avid collector, it may also end up inside the cherished sticker book that kids love going back to, long after the final page in your story is turned!
Make your story wearable and huggable
Explore the world of merchandising to create add-on products such as plush toys and fun wearable creations using your illustrations.
When a beloved character steps off the page and into a child’s arms, it becomes more than a character in a story — it becomes a companion! Full of unlimited imagination, children love any opportunity to explore their world and experiences through play. What better way to engage with your story than by fostering an interactive experience where the child can continue your story using their own imagination?
Stuffed animals and branded clothing items are a great additional product for markets, book signings, and other promotional events where children and adults alike will gravitate. T-shirts, backpacks, or hats are a fantastic merchandizing option for kids who love sporting their favourite characters on their clothing. Stuffed animals also make bedtime readings even more meaningful. When your story is paired with a plush that can be held, snuggled, and even joined in on adventures paired with matching t-shirts or hats, your book will become a lasting keepsake. By encouraging both comfort and creativity, the emotional connection between story and child increases.
While small promotional giveaway options are typically allowable when working with an illustrator, please ensure you’ve obtained the appropriate rights to use your illustrations before looking into these promotional add-on options. Keep in mind that some promotional applications (like banners) may require custom art that will print well at larger scales. If your illustrations were done through FriesenPress, speak to either your publishing or promotion specialist for more information on how to pursue this option.
As an author, writing for an imaginative audience means creating stories that invite curiosity and wonder. At FriesenPress, we offer a variety of Branded Print Materials that your book designer can customize just for your story. Whether you promote your book with colouring pages that encourage creativity, bookmarks and stickers that spread joy, comforting stuffed animals, trendy wearable items, or character-driven displays, you’ll extend the invitation for interaction well beyond its pages. By developing an experience that children can see, touch, and engage with, you’re creating a world where childhood memories come alive!
Lindsay Woollard is a FriesenPress publishing specialist, children’s book author, and illustrator with over twenty years’ experience in writing and visual communication. Lindsay has had a passion for storytelling since her earliest memories, and her own journey in self-publishing began in 2021. As a publishing specialist, Lindsay is delighted to guide FriesenPress authors through the publishing process, helping to bring their unique stories to life.
