[This article was first published on 20th November 2023 and has been updated as at 11th May 2024.]
Imagine your child and family stepping into a whimsical personalised photo storybook, embarking on a magical journey through Malaysia, with their name and your cherished photographs adorning the pages.
If we can’t go outside into the world, then the world will simply have to come to us.
When playtime plans are thwarted and the rain simply won’t go away, there’s only one thing to do – hop on board The Flight of Imagination! A family adventure will transform a housebound afternoon into an unforgettable time of magic, memories and discovering Malaysia.
The Cherished Moments Collection
Now, for a limited time only and in a special collaboration with The Nurts, capture your family’s most treasured memories in the Cherished Moments Collection! From bedtime stories to cherished memories, this unique collection offers families a tangible way to celebrate their love and connection. It is designed to encapsulate the essence of family love and create treasured memories for a lifetime, as well as to honour the special bond shared between mothers and their families.
“As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of cherishing every moment with our children. Families will experience a unique opportunity to create lasting memories that will be treasured for a lifetime,” said Rachel Tan, founder and CEO of The Nurts.
The Cherished Moments Collection comprises of:
1. The Flight of Imagination Photo Storybook Experience
Produced by makchic and Stories Lifestyle, this one-of-a-kind experience provides an opportunity for families to immortalise their children’s youthful memories. Unlike any other photo album, this personalised children’s storybook innovatively features an original story by Kimberly Lee, whimsical illustrations of Malaysia by Munsya Rahman, and portraiture by Stories Lifestyle photographers. The Flight of Imagination will take families on a unique photoshoot which will be transformed into a beautiful photo storybook to serve as a treasured memory for years to come. 
Stories founder, Grace Tan, came up with the unique concept for this project when her children were delighted to receive a storybook with their names as the main characters several years ago.
Build memories and connections
“As a photographer for over 15 years, I am driven by the desire to help families remember happy memories and build deep connections. I wanted to elevate this experience for families by adding another element: photography! This book will be more than just a storybook; it will be a beautiful visual heirloom in which their family embarks on an adventure together, creating memories – not only during the photography session, but also when they eventually get to touch and read the book with their children.”
Let your imagination soar
Children’s book author and makchic’s Managing Editor, Kimberly Lee, hopes that young readers will take from this personalised experience that there is no limit to where their imaginations can take them – whether it’s exploring creative ideas from the comforts of their living room, dreaming up new worlds and new adventures, or doing (and being) anything they dream of!
“We also want the creation of this book to be an experience to remember- a core memory created with loved ones, as the joy of their shared experience is forever immortalised in a book of their own making.”
Appreciate the uniqueness of Malaysia
The illustrator of the book, Munsya Rahman, explained that when searching for ideas for this project, she gathered the essence of each state and sought to represent their unique culture, rich heritage, diverse animal habitats, and the natural beauty that defined these places. 
“Picking the right colours was a big part of making everything look great. I decided to use bright and lively colours to make the illustrations more visually fun and exciting. Among these illustrations, my heart found a special place for the colourful cityscape of Kuala Lumpur, which I thoroughly enjoyed illustrating.”
What to expect
The Flight of Imagination personalised children’s storybook package is perfect for kids aged three to eight years old, and includes a photo session at the Stories studio, a personalised 8 x 8 inch hardcover book with your family photos and child’s name featured in it, and the same 11 digital images selected for the book.
The end result? A family heirloom that will be treasured and passed on by your children to theirs. Find out more at www.stories.my/flight-of-imagination.
2. A Parent’s Promise
With over 800 books sold, A Parent’s Promise is a solid bedtime favourite with kids and parents alike. This book focuses on nurturing the unique parent-child relationship through the following:
- Affirming your unconditional love: Verbal reassurance is a crucial component of forming secure attachments.
- Prompting open communication: The promises in the book talk encompass different topics for kids to explore and understand, such as healthy eating and personal safety.
- Teaching kids your roles as parents: Help your kids understand all the hats you wear as a parent – loving presence, nurturer, guide, and authoritative figure.
3. Alphabet of Love Affirmation Cards
Using the power of affirmations to build up your child’s confidence and their inner voice, this wonderful dual-purpose card series allows you the opportunity to reflect and write down your thoughts, hopes, wishes and dreams for your child. Your sweet messages can then be gifted to your child to cherish when they are older, serving as a time capsule of your time together.
From now until 30th June 2024, families can enjoy this unique collection for the special price of RM699 (total value worth RM889). To purchase the Cherished Moments Collection and to experience the magic for yourselves, visit https://www.thenurts.com/products/cherished-moments-collection.
About Stories Lifestyle
Stories Lifestyle is a heartfelt, personal photography and videography brand; recognised in Malaysia and abroad. The journey began in 2008 when Grace Tan founded Stories, and from that moment on, it’s been an incredible privilege to walk alongside their clients who have, over time, become cherished friends. Together, they’ve captured moments of joy, celebrated milestones, and witnessed family expansion of countless families’ and couples’ lives. The Stories mission is to touch lives through the art of storytelling, weaving captivating visual narratives that resonate with both the present and generations yet to come. The cosy Stories studio is in the heart of TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. View their work at www.stories.my.
About makchic’s books
makchic is a Malaysian-based online parenting platform, committed to not only covering the latest parenting news and trends, but hosting diverse stories about parenthood as well. We believe in supporting and uplifting families in their journey to parent well, learn well, and live well. makchic is also the publisher of the children’s picture books, What if? (written by Kimberly Lee and Liyana Taff, illustrated by Delia Razak) and its Bahasa Malaysia translation, Bayangkanlah – centered on the important topics of consent, personal safety and body boundaries. Visit www.makchic.com/whatif for more information and our list of stockists.
About Munsya Rahman
A deep love for books and drawing naturally led Munsya Rahman, a local illustrator, on her journey to becoming a children’s book illustrator. When she’s not drawing, you can bet you’ll find her lost in the forest. Her art is greatly influenced by the breathtaking natural setting that she enjoys while camping or hiking, which inspires her to craft her own ideas of landscape into illustration. Through this project, she gets to share the natural beauty of Malaysia and the local culture, both of which are interpreted in her own artistic perspective.
About Kimberly Lee
Kimberly Lee is makchic’s Managing Editor, the author of Boys Don’t Fry (Macmillan, 2023) and What if? (makchic, 2021) with other projects in the works. She is a firm believer in the power of stories to create change, and in the right of every child to have their voice heard. Find her online at www.kimberlyleebooks.com, or on Instagram and X as @kimlsywrites, or trying to satisfy her eternal wanderlust by travelling the world (on flights of imagination or otherwise).
About Grace Tan
Grace Tan is the founder and senior photographer for Stories Lifestyle. She specialises in family and personal portraits and has worked with a number of high-profile personalities and celebrities as a renowned photographer for over 15 years. Through photography, she hopes families will be able to remember the happiest moments of their lives as they connect over a shared experience in front of a lens. This book idea was created by Grace, in line with her vision of building family heirlooms through images.
About The Nurts
At The Nurts, meaningful experiences that enable the nurturing of fulfilled lives are created and curated. They are committed to fostering a continuous learning mindset in both children and adults, with the aim of encouraging the collective development of our communities. Founded in Malaysia in January 2023, The Nurts has since expanded its presence to Singapore and Australia in 2024. Learn more about The Nurts through their social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.
