When Mary Ellen's first daughter, Malia, was born she needed a way to help her feel close to their family that lives 2,000 miles away. Mary Ellen made Malia a family book with photos of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Malia was just a baby, so Mary Ellen needed the books to be durable. She decided these books could be used to tell Malia stories about her birth or her bedtime routine and to help Malia learn counting and colors. Two years later, she found that the Birth Story book helped to prepare Malia for the arrival of her younger sister, Annalise and the Family, Baby and Me, and Vacation books helped her to stay close with her extended family. And the Announce Pregnancy book proved a fun way to tell grandparents that Annalise was on her way!

Mary Ellen started making the books just for Malia, but was often asked where to get them at the doctor's office or airport, so she started her business, My Custom Story, making custom board books with durable laminated pages. There are now 21 storylines and clients can also write their own story. My Custom Story board books have been shipped to clients in all 50 states and ten countries.

Mary Ellen donates 7% of purchases made on the 7th of each month to the Liz Logelin Foundation. Learn more about us on our blog!