The 5 best ideas for a personalized children's book with 2 characters

We regularly get asked which characters you can include in a personalized book. Of course your child can take the lead role, but it’s precisely the combination with a brother, sister, stuffed animal or pet as a sidekick that often makes a story extra personal. It also makes a lovely gift. For example, we made a book for grandma that now gets read aloud every single time we visit.

Below we share our favorite ideas.

1. Your child and a brother or sister

Going on an adventure together is perhaps the loveliest combination for a personalized children’s book. The story then also revolves around the bond between brother and sister.

For example: Liam and his little sister Amy build a rocket to find a hidden planet full of cookies. Along the way they help each other overcome all kinds of challenges.

You can also make a book for a future brother or sister about the arrival of the baby. Choose the “big brother or sister” theme and get a sweet story about everything that comes with it: singing a song to mommy’s belly, bringing the pacifier when the baby cries, or making funny faces to make him or her laugh.

Read: Becoming a big brother or sister

2. Your child and dad or mom

A book in which dad or mom plays an important role alongside the child is an original gift for Father’s Day or Mother’s Day.

For example: for Father’s Day, Remy wants to show how special his dad is. From fixing broken toys to lifting heavy picnic baskets: dad can solve anything. But dad’s very best superpower has nothing to do with a cape at all: it’s giving a great big hug!

Read: Father's Day gift ideas

Want to create a personalized book yourself?

Create your book nowYou see a free preview first.

3. Your child and the favorite stuffed animal

Many children take their favorite stuffed animal everywhere they go. That stuffed animal can get a starring role in the story too.

For example: it’s bedtime, but Milou’s little stuffed fox isn’t tired at all. It jumps on the bed, hides between the pillows and keeps coming up with new games. Milou tries everything to calm her little friend down. They hold a yawning contest, read a story together and finally snuggle up under the covers.

Read: From stuffed animal to children's book

4. Your child and a pet

For many children a pet is part of the family. That’s why a story with a dog, cat or rabbit is often a big hit.

For example: Mila and her dog Dex go for a walk in the woods together. Dex only has one problem: he can’t leave a single ball alone. When he chases after a bright red ball, they end up in a funny adventure past a pond, a meadow and a hidden hut among the trees. Luckily, Mila and Dex find their way home together in the end.

Read: Inspiration for a personalized children's book

5. Your child and grandpa or grandma

Grandpas and grandmas can play a lovely role in a personalized book too.

For example: Noah sets off with grandpa to find an old treasure chest said to be hidden somewhere in the garden. With a treasure map, a magnifying glass and plenty of curiosity, they live through an adventure Noah won't soon forget.

A special story that's perfect as a gift for grandpa, grandma or a grandchild.

Read: gift for grandma or grandpa

How does a second character work at BoekjesAtelier?

With us there is always one main character: your child. On top of that you can optionally add one sidekick who appears throughout the entire story. Keeping it to two characters keeps the story clear and recognizable, and keeps both characters consistent on every page: the same face, the same colors and the same details.

You add the sidekick in two ways: upload a photo, or describe the sidekick in a few words (for example "golden retriever Bruno" or "brown teddy bear with a red bow"). A photo works best when likeness matters; a short description is often enough for a stuffed animal or imaginary friend. In practice, this is what works best per type of character:

• Brother or sister: a photo helps capture the likeness and the age difference well.
• Pet: upload a photo of the dog, cat or rabbit so the fur and colors are right.
• Dad, mom, grandpa or grandma: a photo makes sure the grown-up is really recognizable in the story.
• Stuffed animal or imaginary friend: a short description is usually enough, even when the toy is hard to photograph.

A book for twins: who gets the lead role?

With twins the first question is always the same: who is the main character? A book has one child at its centre and one sidekick alongside. For twins that means one is the main character and the other joins as the sidekick on every page. Both with their own photo. With identical twins they look as alike in the book as they do in real life; the names in the text tell them apart.

Give the sidekick a name and it appears in the story and usually in the title on the cover too, like Liam and Amy above. Two names on the cover is no problem. If you want each child to have a book in which they play the lead, make two with the roles swapped. Those are two separate books, not two copies of the same one, so you pay the first-copy price twice.

Good to know: if both children are on one photo, the wizard asks which one becomes the main character, and you can add the other child as the sidekick with one click. More than two children do not fit in one book. For triplets or three friends it is a matter of choosing, or one book per child.

A book that becomes even more personal

The great thing about a personalized children’s book is that you’re not stuck with standard characters. Choose a brother, sister, stuffed animal, pet, grandpa or mom, and together they make the story even more personal.

Did you know we also make books in the style of a birth announcement? A personal newborn gift: From Birth Announcement to Personalized Children's Book

Making the book for grandma or grandpa? Four ideas for that gift are in 4 fun ideas for a personal book for grandma or grandpa.