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A sample life story book

This is what a finished Treasurefold book looks like, page by page, plus the "About me" sheet that comes with it. Yours will have your own photos and words.

Front cover of a Treasurefold life story book titled “Peggy’s Story”, with a black and white photo of a young woman dancing at a party, and the name Margaret Ellis beneath.
The cover: her name, her story, one favourite photo.
Open book. Left page: “Looking at this book with me”, three short tips for visitors. Right page: the dancing photo and the words “My name is Margaret. Please call me Peggy.”
Tips for visitors, and the name she likes to be called.
Open book. Left: “School days” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “I loved arithmetic and singing. Miss Hartley read us a story every Friday.”. Right: “My working life” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “I was a typist at the wool office on Kirkgate. Nobody could type faster than me.”.
One photo and one short first-person caption on every page.
Open book. Left: “Homes I have loved” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “We lived on Elm Grove for forty years. I loved my roses by the front gate.”. Right: “Places and holidays” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “Every August we took the caravan to Filey. Jim built the best sandcastles.”.
Large photos in the same place on every page, so it is easy to follow.
Open book. Left: “Things I love to do” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “I have knitted a jumper for every grandchild, and one for Bess the dog.”. Right: “Music I love” page with a large black and white photo and the caption “Matt Monro on the record player, and Jim and me dancing in the kitchen.”.
Hobbies and music: easy, happy things to talk about.
Open book. Left: “People in my life now” page with four people: Sarah (My daughter), David (My son) and Jean (My best friend) with black and white portraits; Emily (My granddaughter) shown by initials instead of a photo. Right: “Things I love” and “Things I don’t like” lists, starting with Tea, milky with one sugar and Being rushed.
The people in her life now, and the things she loves and dislikes.
The separate “About me” sheet for Margaret Ellis: six boxes headed Please call me, I enjoy talking about, What helps me feel calm, Food and drink I like, People who matter to me, and Please try to avoid, each with a short answer such as “Peggy. Only my mother called me Margaret.”
The one-page About me sheet, printed separately on 300gsm card for a care home file or bedside.

Download the sample book (PDF, 2.4 MB)

Things to notice

  • One idea per page. One photo, a short heading, a sentence or two.
  • The same layout every time. The photo is always in the same place, so it's easy to find your way.
  • First-person captions. "We went to Filey every summer" reads as their own story, not a report about them.
  • Big, clear lettering and strong contrast. Captions and headings are 36 pt and nothing you read is smaller than 24 pt, following published dementia-friendly design guidance.
  • "My name is…" near the front. So every new carer knows what to call them.
  • People in their life now. Faces and names of the people who visit today.

The pages are the same whichever binding you choose: stapled, laminated and comb bound, or perfect bound. Only the comb-bound book is laminated. Compare the bindings.

The sample book is about a made-up person, so we can share it freely.

Make one for someone you love

Gather the family's photos and memories in one place. We'll turn them into a book they can hold.

Start your book – from £29.97 How it works

From £29.97 including UK delivery · three bindings · extra copies from £10 · nothing is printed until you approve the proof