The Educational Toy Everyone’s Talking About for Kids 3+
An Interview with the Creator of SHAPLABOO
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Natalia is the mom of five-year-old Agnes and the creator of SHAPLABOO. What started as a bedtime activity turned into an award-winning product now enjoyed by families around the world. In this interview, Natalia shares how the idea came to life, what makes SHAPLABOO so special, and how each magical shadow book is made.
— Natalia, how did SHAPLABOO begin?
“It all started during bedtime. One evening, Agnes asked me to show her the story of Thumbelina using shadows. We tried cutting out paper shapes, but it didn’t really work—and that’s when I thought: what if there was a book you could just lay on the table and shine a flashlight through? Instant shadow theater!”
“At first, I doubted myself. Friends didn’t get the idea, and even my husband was unsure. But I couldn’t shake the vision. I spoke with publishers, studied how illustrators work, and eventually decided to go for it.”
— How did reading become such a big part of your family life?
“Agnes has always loved books. We’ve read to her since she was a baby—and we play audiobooks, too. That’s how she developed such a deep love of stories. She has an amazing memory and can repeat entire books after hearing them once.”
“Bedtime reading is a cherished tradition in our house. We also love books with beautiful illustrations.”
— How are SHAPLABOO shadow books made?
“It’s a much more detailed process than people expect!”
First, the technology.
“Most shadow books use die-cutting—it’s faster and cheaper—but it just doesn’t deliver the same level of detail. We use laser cutting for every scene, which takes more time, but the results are worth it. You can really see the difference in quality.”
Second, the materials.
“We tested hundreds of types of paper before we found one that was sturdy, completely odorless, and clean after laser cutting. Kids can handle it over and over—and it still looks great.”
Third, the creative team.
“Every SHAPLABOO fairy tale is a team effort. We work with:
- An animation director
- An illustrator
- A writer
- An editor
- A designer
“Not all artists can draw for shadow theater. It’s a very specific style. We auditioned nearly a hundred illustrators before finding the right fit. Our current art director actually comes from a shadow theater family—both of his parents worked in the field.”
And finally, our products.
“We now offer over 20 classic fairy tales, along with creative sets that let kids invent their own stories. We’re also working on licensed editions with big-name partners—yes, even Disney!”
— What’s the best way to play with SHAPLABOO?
“That’s what makes it so different—it’s not just reading, it’s interactive play.”
“You can simply read the story out loud, or make it a shadow performance. You can sit at a table, or even lie down and project the story onto the ceiling—it’s so fun before bed.”
“Each book also has a final page with a background scene, so kids can make up their own stories using the characters. The possibilities are endless!”
“And we’ve recorded free audio fairy tales—professionally voiced and available on our website. Just press play and let the magic begin.”
— Why do families love your books?
“Every family has their own reason. I originally created SHAPLABOO as a screen-free bedtime tradition—but over time, I realized it serves so many other needs.”
“Some parents tell us it helps their children get over fear of the dark. Others say it helps with speech development and creativity. And many love that their kids can play independently—no constant supervision needed.”
“We’ve even heard from parents of children with special needs. They say SHAPLABOO helps their kids open up, express themselves, and feel more connected. Those messages mean the world to us.”
“And of course, SHAPLABOO makes an amazing gift. It’s stylish, unique, and educational—what more could you ask for?”
— What’s your dream for SHAPLABOO?
“My dream is for SHAPLABOO to become a tradition in every family—just like it is in ours. We’ve already won awards and work closely with professionals in pediatrics, child psychology, education, and the arts. Many of them recommend SHAPLABOO to their clients.”
“We’re still a small, independent publisher. We don’t have a big advertising budget. But we believe in the power of our product—and the amazing families who share it with others.”
P.S.
Has your child tried SHAPLABOO yet?
We’d love to hear what stories they create! View our shop →
