Tell Your Child Where They Came From with Meaningful Storytelling

"The Legend of Little May's Fire" tells the story of a family's courage and determination to stay connected through difficult times

Children don’t just grow from food and sleep. They grow from love, attention—and stories.

The stories we tell our kids don’t just entertain them. They shape them. They become threads in the fabric of how children see themselves and their place in the world. And perhaps the most powerful stories of all are the ones that come from their own families—the stories of where they came from, who came before them, and how their people lived, loved, struggled, and triumphed.

Why “Where You Came From” Matters

Every child eventually asks it—sometimes out loud, sometimes just in their hearts: Who am I?It’s a question that starts early and grows deeper over time. As kids build their sense of identity, they look for clues in everything around them: their environment, their friends, their experiences… and, most importantly, their family.

Telling your child where they came from isn’t about names on a family tree. It’s about telling them, “This is the kind of strength you come from. This is the kind of kindness, grit, and humor that runs through your story.”

When kids hear about a great-grandfather who built a house by hand, a mother who immigrated with nothing but hope, or an uncle who kept bees and taught neighbors how to harvest honey—they’re hearing about themselves. Their story starts before them, but it includes them. And that builds a powerful sense of confidence, pride, and belonging.

Stories Are Bridges

So often, the stories that define our families live in someone’s memory—but they don’t always make it to the next generation. Maybe we think the stories aren’t “important enough.” Maybe we assume the kids are too young to care. But those little tales—the goofy ones, the heroic ones, the quiet ones—are gold.

When we take the time to tell them, we build bridges across generations.

Suddenly, the grandparent who passed away before your child was born becomes someone they know. Suddenly, the cousin living in another country feels a little closer. Suddenly, your child doesn’t just have relatives—they have connections.

And those connections matter. Studies have shown that kids who know their family’s stories have higher emotional resilience, better self-regulation, and stronger identities. They’re better able to face challenges, because they’ve learned that others before them have done the same.

How to Tell the Stories in a Way Kids Understand

Of course, not every story is immediately accessible to a child. A 5-year-old might struggle to connect with a formal biography or a photo album filled with unfamiliar faces. That’s why the way we tell stories matters just as much as the stories themselves.

That’s where creativity—and heart—come in.

Think about how to tell family stories in ways that delight kids:

• Use language they understand.

• Highlight the funny, silly, or surprising moments.

• Focus on one character at a time—just like a picture book would.

• Bring in familiar emotions: courage, fear, excitement, embarrassment, love.

And whenever you can, bring those stories to life visually. That’s where the magic really happens.

How Lore Makes Storytelling Easy (and Magical)

At Lore Books, we help families turn their favorite stories into custom, illustrated children’s books. You give us the memories, the character, the heart—and we help shape it into a one-of-a-kind book your child can see, hold, and treasure.

Whether you want to tell the story of how grandma met grandpa, how your child got their name, or what life was like growing up in a different country, we’re here to help you share it. We specialize in taking real-life stories and crafting them into something beautiful, engaging, and age-appropriate.

And best of all, the process is easy and fun—something you can do together as a family.

Because Your Child Deserves to Know Where They Came From

They deserve to know that they come from strong people. Brave people. Funny people. Loving people.They deserve to hear about the time their uncle baked a cake without flour. Or how their mom won the spelling bee in the fourth grade. Or how a stranger once helped great-grandpa fix his wagon in the middle of nowhere.

These are not just stories.They are gifts—gifts that root your child in love, identity, and belonging.

So go ahead. Tell your child where they came from. And let us help you make it unforgettable.

Start your Lore Book today and turn your family’s stories into a lasting legacy your children can carry with them—wherever life takes them.