A child’s imagination is a boundless playground where castles rise, superheroes save the day, and stories come alive in vivid color. Storytelling isn’t just about fantasy—it’s a vital part of nurturing creativity, enhancing literacy, and building confidence in young minds. Recognizing the power of a child’s narrative voice, the new AI-powered platform, StorybooksByMe, is offering a revolutionary way for kids to bring their own stories to life.
Developed by Chicago-based advertising veterans Michael Oberman and David Merhar, StorybooksByMe harnesses ethical AI technology, allowing children to write, illustrate, and publish personalized storybooks. Central to this platform is “Aimee,” an AI companion designed to make the process seamless, safe, and inspiring for young creators.
“Aimee is designed as both a storytelling guide and a creative companion, helping kids bring their imaginative tales to life,” shares Oberman. “The AI assists in producing illustrations that are aligned with the child’s narrative, ensuring every image is original and tailored to their words.” This focus on originality means that every book truly reflects the child’s voice, supported by beautiful visuals.
What sets the platform apart is its use of hand-drawn illustrations created by professional artists, emphasizing its commitment to ethical content creation. “StorybooksByMe allows the storybook author to create a story in their own words, versus an AI-generated or fill-in-the-blank experience,” explains Merhar. “This encourages the development of imagination, creativity, and storytelling skills. With Aimee generating accurate and beautiful illustrations, the platform supports a seamless and magical storytelling process.”
You can see how Aimee enhances the storytelling experience in a demo below:
For parents, safety is a top concern, and StorybooksByMe has designed the platform with this in mind. Aimee features built-in vulgarity checks to filter out any inappropriate images or words, providing a wholesome and age-appropriate experience. This ensures that children have a safe space to express their creativity freely, without exposure to objectionable content or the use of unlicensed artwork.
Oberman and Merhar’s combined experience in advertising and creative storytelling is extensive. Through their think tank Fusion Idea Lab and production company Mortar Inc., they have led campaigns for over 30 Fortune 500 companies, including Hyundai, the NFL, Toyota, and Marquee Sports Network. These brands have invested over $50 million into their creative initiatives, driving significant growth in brand awareness, sales, and market positioning.
Looking to the future, Stories2Tell LLC has ambitious plans, targeting a 1% penetration of the market and projecting that 650,000 books will be created within the first three years. With its child-centric design, ethical AI, and commitment to creativity and safety, the platform is set to be a powerful tool for young storytellers and their families.
To discover more about StorybooksByMe visit the platform here.
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