Imagine this scenario: the crayon drawing your child proudly stuck to the fridge last week, or the snapshot of them hugging their favourite teddy bear, suddenly transforms into a colourful, 10-page storybook, complete with illustrations, narration, and a plot where they are the hero.
That’s the magic Google is offering with Storybook, the newest feature in its Gemini app.
With just a simple prompt and a personal image, Nigerians can now spin everyday moments into unique, narrated tales.
For a country like Nigeria, where storytelling has been the heartbeat of culture for generations, Storybook feels like a natural next chapter.
Here, folktales have always been more than entertainment; they’ve been bridges between generations, carriers of wisdom, and sparks for young imaginations.
And with roughly 39 million Nigerian children aged six and under, the need for engaging, accessible, and personalised learning materials has never been greater.
“In a country with such a vibrant history of passing down knowledge through stories, Storybook feels like a natural evolution,” says Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, communications & public affairs manager for Google in West Africa. “The challenge has always been making education both interactive and personal. Now, parents and teachers can literally put a child inside their own learning adventure.”
The process is as enchanting as it is simple:
- Describe a story idea.
- Add a photo, drawing, or even a school project.
- Gemini turns it into a fully illustrated, narrated story.
It could be a bedtime adventure featuring your child and their favourite toy. Or maybe that rough sketch your son made of a superhero now stars in a thrilling tale. One father even turned his work resume into a playful “day in the life” adventure for his curious daughter.
“The interesting part isn’t the AI; it’s the personal expression it enables,” Kola-Ogunlade explains. “It’s a canvas for small, personal moments that form the foundation of early education and family connection.”
Beyond fun, Storybook offers a tool for preserving culture. Families can now craft tales rooted in local traditions, bring historical figures to life, or make personalised gifts that carry sentimental value.
How to begin: Simply open Storybook in the Gemini app at gemini.google.com/gem/storybook, describe your story, and, if you like, upload an image to make it uniquely yours.
Storybook is available globally starting today on mobile and desktop, ready to help Nigerian families turn memories into magic.
