Join a Drawing Story Form

For Parents / Guardians

Parent / Guardian Information

Child Information

Child 1
+ Add another child

Mailing Information

Participation Preferences

A small local story circle (Netherlands)
An international story circle
No preference

Optional Contribution

I would like to support this story project

Consent & Privacy

I confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child(ren) listed above and give consent for my child(ren) to participate in this mail-based storytelling project.
I give permission for my child’s drawings to be shared publicly (e.g., website, social media, exhibitions).
I understand and agree that:
  • My child’s drawings may be used in online publications related to the project, including the Compass to Wonder website, social media channels, and partner websites.
  • My child’s drawings may be included in exhibitions, public displays, or educational presentations organized by the project or its partners.
  • My child’s first name and drawings may appear in printed or digital story compilations, which may be shared with:
    • Participating families
    • Schools and classrooms involved
    • Compass to Wonder project partners
    • Publishers or collaborators who may produce books or other media based on the project.
Participation and publication rights are licensed, not transferred. Children retain ownership of their original drawings, and Compass to Wonder (and its partners/publishers) is granted a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to use drawings for collaborative stories and project-related publication, without additional compensation.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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Creative Partnerships

Libraries, museums, art spaces, hospitals, and community groups can collaborate on story circles.

Organization Information

Mailing Information

Organization Type

Optional Contribution

I would like to support this story project

Consent & Privacy

I confirm that I am an authorized representative of the organization and approve participation in this mail-based storytelling project.
I understand that participants’ first names and drawings may appear in a printed story compilation shared only with participating partner organizations and families.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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Schools & Classrooms

Teachers can participate with their class and contribute drawings as part of a collaborative story.

Teacher Information

Mailing Information

Class Information

Optional Contribution

I would like to support this story project

Consent & Privacy

I confirm that I am a teacher or authorized school representative and consent to my class participating in this mail-based storytelling project.
I understand that students’ first names and drawings may appear in a printed or digital story compilation shared only with participating schools, families, classrooms, and project partners.
I understand and agree that:
  • Students’ drawings may be used to create collaborative stories and project materials
  • Students’ first names and drawings may appear in printed or digital story compilations
These materials may be shared with:
  • Participating families, schools, and classrooms
  • Compass to Wonder project partners
  • Publishers or collaborators for producing, distributing, or archiving books or other media
I acknowledge that:
  • Students retain ownership of their drawings
  • Compass to Wonder and its partners are granted a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license
  • This license is granted without compensation
  • Published materials may continue to use these drawings indefinitely
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Join a Drawing Story Form

For Parents / Guardians

Parent / Guardian Information

Child Information

Child 1
+ Add another child

Mailing Information

Participation Preferences

A small local story circle (Netherlands)
An international story circle
No preference

Optional Contribution

I would like to support this story project

Consent & Privacy

I confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child(ren) listed above and give consent for my child(ren) to participate in this mail-based storytelling project.
I give permission for my child’s drawings to be shared publicly (e.g., website, social media, exhibitions).
I understand and agree that:
  • My child’s drawings may be used in online publications related to the project, including the Compass to Wonder website, social media channels, and partner websites.
  • My child’s drawings may be included in exhibitions, public displays, or educational presentations organized by the project or its partners.
  • My child’s first name and drawings may appear in printed or digital story compilations, which may be shared with:
    • Participating families
    • Schools and classrooms involved
    • Compass to Wonder project partners
    • Publishers or collaborators who may produce books or other media based on the project.
Participation and publication rights are licensed, not transferred. Children retain ownership of their original drawings, and Compass to Wonder (and its partners/publishers) is granted a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to use drawings for collaborative stories and project-related publication, without additional compensation.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Stories made slowly, By drawings & posts
A collaborative storytelling project where children build stories together — one drawing at a time.
View all programs
For children ages 4+ · By post · With parental consent
Ways to Participate
Discover how you, your family, or your organization can be part of Compass to Wonder.
Join a Story Circle
Children contribute drawings to a shared story that travels by post between participants.
Join a Drawing Story
Schools & Classrooms
Teachers can participate with their class and contribute drawings as part of a collaborative story.
Request Classroom Participation
Creative Partnerships
Libraries, museums, art spaces, hospitals, publishers and community groups can collaborate on story circles.
Propose a Collaboration
Story Archive
Explore stories created by children through shared drawings.
View Stories
Story Archive
Explore stories created by children through shared drawings — each one a unique journey.
CW-01
The rainbow that remembered
4 children contributed
Coming soon
CW-02
Surfing Joy
5 children contributed
Coming soon
CW-03
The Rainbow Mountain
6 children contributed
Coming soon
The Idea
A Return to Tactile Wonder
In a world of constant screens, Compass to Wonder slows things down.

Compass to Wonder is a collaborative storytelling project created by children, for children.

Each story begins with a drawing. That drawing is mailed to a small group of children. Each child continues the story with their own drawing and sends it back. The story branches, grows in different directions, and is carefully reassembled into one shared narrative.
No screens. Just imagination, patience, and the anticipation of receiving something addressed to you.
The Process
How Stories Grow
1
The Beginning
A drawing starts the story and is mailed to a group of children.
2
The Branching and Growing
Each child continues the story through a drawing of their own and sends it back. Some drawings take the story in new directions. Others deepen the same path.
3
The Weaving
All responses are gathered. The different branches are thoughtfully reassembled into one collective narrative.
4
The Return
Each participating child receives the completed story: a printed compilation of every drawing created in that round.
Then, a new story begins.
The Origin
About Aaricia

Aaricia is five.

After moving into a new home with her parents, she became fascinated by the small ritual of receiving post, the sound of the doorbell, the quick rush to the mailbox, and the hopeful question: "Is there anything for me?"

Often, there weren't.
Aaricia loves to draw & write small notes to the people around her. Watching her, a simple thought began to form:
"What if children could connect with one another through drawings, even if they have never met?"

Compass to Wonder grew from that question.

Safety & Trust
For Parents
Compass to Wonder is designed with care.
Participation is optional and flexible
Children use first names only
No accounts, no logins, no screens for children
Stories are curated thoughtfully and respectfully
Families may opt out at any time
There is no expectation of artistic skill. Children contribute what they can, when they can.
100% Screen Free
No apps, no logins. Just paper, pencils, and focus.
Your family's privacy is protected
We only use addresses to send stories.
Pause Anytime
Skip a month or cancel whenever you like. No questions asked.
Optional
Help This Story Travel
Compass to Wonder is a small, independent creative project and free to join.

If you would like to help cover printing, postage, and booklet assembly, you may make a one-time optional contribution per story cycle.
Participation is never dependent on payment.
Every contribution helps the stories travel further.
Support a Story
What You Receive
What Arrives in the Post
The Invitation
Each story invitation includes:
An original drawing that begins the story
A short prompt card explaining how to continue
A unique story code
A return envelope
The Return
Once complete, each child receives:
A printed compilation of the full story
Every drawing created in that round
A small acknowledgment of their contribution
Everything is sent by post. Slowly. Intentionally.
Reach
Language & Community
Based in the Netherlands, Compass to Wonder connects children locally and internationally.

Stories travel across cities and borders in English or Dutch. Imagination moves easily between languages.
The project grows slowly and intentionally, one small story circle at a time.
Would your child like to take part in a drawing story?
Join the next story circle and receive the first drawing by post.
Join a drawing story
Stories made slowly by children.
Personal information is used only for participation in story mailings and is never shared or published.
© 2026 Compass to Wonder. All rights reserved.