What makes a truly personalized children’s book with a photo?

Putting a child’s name on the cover makes a book personal. Especially when they suddenly hear their own name while you are reading together.

But personalization can go much further.

What if the child’s appearance, the story and the illustration style are all created especially for them? And what if a brother, sister, grandparent, pet or favourite cuddly toy can join the story too?

We now have four printed BoekjesAtelier books at home. Three were made as personal newborn gifts. In the fourth, two children set off on a holiday adventure together. Although all four are children’s books, no two are the same. It is not just the names that change: every book has its own characters, story and atmosphere.

To us, that is the difference between a book that has been personalized and a book that was genuinely made for one child.

Not every personalized children’s book is the same

The term “personalized children’s book” is used for several kinds of books. Sometimes only the name changes. Sometimes a photo is added or used to adapt an existing character. In a fully personalized book, the story and illustrations are created especially for the child too.

None of these options is automatically better or worse. It mainly depends on what you are looking for.

Those differences have grown over the years. Read how personalized children’s books developed from a name in a story to a completely original book.

1. A personal start1

   The name only

   The child’s name is added to an existing story.

   • ·The name is changed
   • ·The story stays the same
   • ·The illustration style is fixed
2. More recognition2

   Name and photo

   A photo is included or used to adapt an existing character.

   • ·Name and photo or adapted character
   • ·Usually an existing story
   • ·Options differ between providers
3. Most personal3

   A completely original book

   The entire book is built around the child and their world.

   • ✓A recognizable illustrated character
   • ✓A personal story and personal details
   • ✓Your own style and an optional sidekick
   • ✓View and adjust the complete book

This is a general comparison. The exact options naturally differ from one provider to another.

What does BoekjesAtelier personalize?

At BoekjesAtelier, the child is our starting point. We try to make a book in which they can recognize themselves and their own world.

A second character

Some stories are not about one child alone. You can therefore add a sidekick: a second character who takes an active part in the adventure.

This could be a brother or sister, but also a parent, grandparent, pet or favourite cuddly toy.

In one of the books we have at home, two children go on holiday together. Both appear on the cover and both take part in the story. It feels like their adventure, rather than an existing book with two names filled in afterwards.

Three personal books given as newborn gifts

Three of the printed books in our home were made as newborn gifts. Yet each has a different look and its own story.

That is precisely what makes this kind of gift special. You are not giving a general children’s book that happens to be intended for a baby, but something connected to this child and this family.

The child’s name and appearance can be included, as can the atmosphere their parents chose for them. Think of colours, animals or details from the birth announcement or nursery. An older sibling or favourite cuddly toy can also become part of the story.

How to make your own personal children’s book

You do not need to write a story or plan every page in advance. The video shows how a few personal choices gradually become a complete book.

What happens to the photo?

Uploading a child’s photo requires trust. The original photo is therefore processed only temporarily to determine the information needed for the illustrated character.

The photo is not stored permanently or used for other purposes. The generated illustrations are kept because you need them to view, adjust and order the book.

Read more about our approach to security and children’s photos

Which occasions suit a personal book?

A personal read-aloud book does not have to be tied to one occasion. You could make one for:

• a birth or first visit to a new baby;
• a first birthday;
• a child becoming a big brother or sister;
• two children, twins or siblings;
• Father’s Day or Mother’s Day;
• a grandparent’s birthday;
• a holiday or another special memory;
• a personal story without a special occasion.

Looking for inspiration for a particular moment? You may also like:

• From birth announcement to children’s book
• A book about becoming a big brother or sister
• A personal book for grandma or grandpa
• Ideas for a personalized children’s book

Is fully personalized always better?

Not necessarily. If you mainly want a simple gift that includes the child’s name, an existing story with an adapted name may be exactly enough.

A fully personalized children’s book is particularly suitable when you want to make something that could not have been the same for another child. A book in which the child is recognizable, important people or animals join in and the story connects with their own world.

That is also why we started BoekjesAtelier. We wanted more than our son’s name in a story. We wanted a book whose character, story and style genuinely suited him.

We now have four very different books at home: three personal newborn gifts and one holiday adventure for two children. We also see how varied the ideas can be in the books our customers make: from a favourite cuddly toy joining the adventure to a brother, sister, grandpa or grandma in a leading role. All those books begin with a different idea, but share the same principle: a child should not merely be mentioned by name. The story should genuinely be about the child and their own world.