How to make a personalized children's book starring your child
The quickest way is to send one photo to a personalized-book app that writes and illustrates a new story around your child. With TeddyReads, you get a 22-page illustrated book in about five minutes, read aloud in your own voice, and your first one is free.
Three ways to make one
| Name-swap books | Make it yourself | TeddyReads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A ready-written book with your child's name and a look-alike character dropped in | A photo book or design tool, where you write and lay out every page | A new story written for your child, illustrated from one photo |
| Looks like your child | A character you choose from preset options | Real photos, not illustrations | Illustrated from their photo, the same child on every page |
| Story | The same for every child | Whatever you write | Written from scratch around their age, interests and a moment you choose |
| Time | Minutes | Hours | About five minutes |
| Read aloud | No | No | Yes, by Teddy or in your own voice |
| Price | Usually a printed book only | The cost of printing | First e-book free, then €5.99 (£5.99 / $5.99); printed softcover from €19.99, hardcover from €29.99, plus shipping |
How it works with TeddyReads
- Pick a moment or describe your own story. A new baby, starting school, afraid of the dark, a grandparent far away, a birthday, or anything you type.
- Send one photo, or describe your child. Their hair, eyes and coloring are carried into every illustration. The photo is deleted once the book is made.
- Choose one of twelve art styles, from watercolor to clay stop-motion.
- Read it together. Teddy reads it aloud, or record your voice once and every book is read in it.
- Print it if you like. Softcover or hardcover, 8.5 × 8.5 inches, posted to your door.
Questions parents ask
How much does a personalized children's book cost?
Your first TeddyReads e-book is free, with no card needed. After that each e-book is €5.99 (£5.99 in the UK, $5.99 elsewhere). A printed softcover is €19.99 and a hardcover €29.99 in Europe (£19.99 / £29.99 in the UK, $19.99 / $32.99 in the US and elsewhere), plus shipping, with the exact total shown before you pay.
Will the character really look like my child?
Yes. The character is drawn from your photo, and the same recognizable child appears on every page. You see the character before paying for anything.
Is the story a template with my child's name added?
No. Each story is written from scratch using your child's name, age, interests and anything you tell us.
What languages can I make it in?
Books and narration are available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
What happens to my child's photo?
It is used once to draw the character, then deleted when the book is finished, or after 7 days if it never is. It never trains a model and is never shown to anyone else.