Mayo company's personalised books coming to Arnotts

MAYO company Tellmystorybook.com is launching its personalised children's books in Arnotts – in time for the Christmas market.

And children much further afield will also soon be getting their hands on their unique books with plans to expand into the UK, Holland and Canada next year.

Castlebar man Eoin Heverin's business (www.tellmystorybook.com) was inspired by his niece, Toni Pia, who loves to read. When she received a standard personalised book as a present a number of years ago the book didn’t have the 'wow' factor. Graphic designer Eoin, in a Eureka moment, knew how to improve it - add her photograph into the story.

What makes the books unique is that every page is specially printed using a photograph of the child.

Said Eoin: "We superimpose a photo of the child's head onto the main character in our books. When the child sees that they are the main character in their very own story, their reactions are priceless! We also incorporate the child's name throughout our stories.

"Our books make for wonderful gifts, especially now on the run up to Christmas."

Eoin was approached by Arnotts last April. He explains: "They told us they thought our books were amazing and would we consider selling our books with them. I didn’t have to think twice about it.

"We will be launching our books with them in October, which will give us a great run up to Christmas."

Earlier this month a press day was held in Arnotts, with TV3's Xposé doing a feature on the books.

Arnotts is owned by Selfridges, who have stores right across the UK, Netherlands and Canada, and Eoin says the plan is to expand into those markets in the new year.

To find out more, and get a gift every child will treasure, see www.tellmystorybook.com. Just enter your child’s first name in Step 1 and then follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can ring the shop in Castlebar on (094) 9025885.

The philosophy at Tellmystorybook is simple: "We believe that children should be encouraged to read from a young age. Our books instantly grab the child’s attention and maintain it throughout. Our books help children to foster a love of reading from early childhood.

“Adults reading books to children from a young age gives the child the invaluable gift of a love of reading. That is a gift that will stay with them for life."