A story, not a template
The plot is written for your characters, so details like a pet, a favorite place or a best friend can drive what happens.
Personalized children's books, written around your child
Your child's name, their looks and the things they care about, in a 32-page story of their own. See them drawn as a book character for free before you decide.
4.960 reviews
Money back until you approve the print One payment, no subscription
At a glance
- Price
- PDF $9.99, softcover $32.99, hardcover $37.99. One payment per book, no subscription.
- Delivery
- PDF as soon as the book is finished. A printed copy to the US takes an estimated 5 to 9 days after you approve the print.
- Length
- 32 pages with 15 illustrated spreads per book.
- Personalization
- Name, looks, personality, up to 5 characters, theme, tone and dedication.
- Illustrations
- 13 illustration styles to choose from, from watercolor to anime.
- Who we are
- A small team based in Hamburg, Germany. We ship to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
They look like themselves
Describe your child or upload a photo. The same character then appears on every illustrated spread.
13 illustration styles
From soft watercolor to 3D and anime. You choose the style before the first picture is drawn.
Free preview image
See your characters first. No payment details are needed for the preview.
How it works
From first detail to finished book
You do not need a finished story. Start with the people in it and an idea of what should happen, and we write and illustrate the rest for you to review.
- 1Add up to five characters: your child, family, friends or pets.
- 2Pick a theme, an illustration style and the age the story should suit.
- 3See your characters in a free preview image, with no payment details.
- 4Order the book, read it, change what you like, then approve the print.
What makes a children's book personalized?
Personalized books differ in how much of your child actually ends up in them. Many swap a name into a finished story, so every reader gets the same plot and the same pictures. That can be charming, but the hero is a stand-in with your child's name on it.
A Starringbooks story starts from your input instead. The name is the smallest part: you can also set how your child looks, what they love, who else is in the story and what it should be about. Want more on the name itself? See books with your child's name, or start from a photo.
How the story and pictures are made
We write and illustrate each book with AI, and we say so plainly because it is what makes a one-of-one book affordable. It also means the first version is a draft for you, not a final word: nothing goes to print until you have read every page and approved it.
Vocabulary, sentence length and themes follow the age you pick, so a story for a two-year-old reads differently from one for a nine-year-old. You can rewrite any line, and text changes are unlimited.
What you hold in your hands
Every book has 32 pages: 15 illustrated spreads with the text on one side and the matching picture on the other, plus your dedication and a closing page. Softcover and hardcover copies are printed individually on 170 gsm satin paper, and you also get the PDF.
Not sure about the format? The PDF is the lowest-priced way in, and if you print later, what you paid for it is credited in full. All formats and prices are on the pricing page.
What parents say
What parents say about their book
4,9 out of 5 stars from 60 reviews
The book turned out so beautifully! The story is simple and really lovely, just right for a two-year-old. Thank you so much for the help. Such friendly contact! I'm sure our granddaughter will be delighted! Thank you!
Translated from German
I love everything about this book. The animation and the beautiful colors are just perfect. The story is absolutely delightful and we are going to have so much fun reading it aloud.
Translated from German
The book is written just right for children. I like it very much. The drawings are gorgeous! It's also great that you can still change the text yourself (e.g. add names).
Translated from German
Formats and prices
Choose your format
You see your preview image for free before you decide.
Digital PDF
$9.99per book
The complete story as a PDF, for reading on a screen or printing at home.
- Ready as soon as the book is finished
- Credited in full if you print later
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Softcover
$32.99per book
plus $4.99 shipping
A flexible matte softcover for everyday reading.
- Thick 170 gsm satin paper
- PDF download included
- Money back until you approve the print
Premium Hardcover
$37.99per book
plus $4.99 shipping
A rigid hardcover made to keep, and the usual choice for a gift.
- Thick 170 gsm satin paper
- PDF download included
- Money back until you approve the print
Frequently asked questions
What age are personalized books suitable for?
You can create stories for babies and toddlers through to older children and teens. The language, length of sentences and themes adapt to the age you select.
How long does it take?
Setting up your characters takes a few minutes. After you order, the full book is usually ready within about 30 minutes. A printed copy is made only after you approve the print.
What does the free preview image include?
You describe your characters or upload a photo, and we draw them in the illustration style you chose. It costs nothing and needs no payment details, and you only pay if you decide to order the book.
Can I change the book after ordering?
Yes. You read the finished book page by page before anything is printed. Text changes are unlimited, and you can regenerate up to 30 illustrations per book, the cover included. If you get stuck, email us and we will take a look together.
What if I do not like the finished book?
Printed books come with a money-back guarantee until you approve the print: tell us before then and we refund the full price. A digital PDF has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
See your child as a book character
Create the preview image first. It is free, and you decide about the book afterwards.
Create your free preview image