What we have done to make the journals eye appealing was at the beginning of the year we had the kids create their own with using notebook (you know the little ones they use in school. ) They had a spot for their picture plus their memory verse or their story on the lesson! They decorated them with construction paper folded over both covers then glued on those foamy characters and animals etc. They put their names on them with the sticky letters! They recognize them and have a great time with them knowing that as soon as the year is up they get to take them home to show them off! We purchased everything from Staples business depot. Don't forget to do extras for the visitors as they love them too. They don't take them home as we look back to how many visitors we had over the seasons! This is to see if and when we had growth in the childrens ministry