How it works

The steps

1. Tell us about your grandchild. Their first name, age range, the US state they live in, your grandparent title, and optionally one thing they love and the saying you always tell them.
2. Add one photo, see their face free. Upload one clear photo. Within a few minutes you see your grandchild drawn as an illustrated character. If it doesn't look like them, re-do it for free. You don't pay anything to see it.
3. Choose what you want. A PDF storybook ($19), a read-aloud video ($29) and/or an 8×8 inch hardcover ($49). Any two are $10 off; all three are $69. Payment is by card on Stripe Checkout.
4. We make the book. We illustrate every page with your grandchild's likeness and assemble the PDF, the video and the print file. A person checks every book before it is delivered.
5. Record, or let our storyteller read. For the video, either record the story page by page on your phone, or choose one of our storytellers (Rose or Walter) at the same price. Either way, the last page is a short message in your own voice.
6. Delivery. The PDF and video arrive by email as private links. The hardcover is printed and shipped free to the contiguous US; order it by December 8 for Christmas delivery. A scan-to-listen code in the book opens the read-aloud video on any phone.

What makes it personal

The read-aloud video can be narrated in your own voice (recorded page by page on your phone) or by one of our storytellers, Rose or Walter (AI voices). The price is the same.

The love note

Every book ends with 'A message from' the grandparent: a short note (up to 240 characters) printed on page 23. In the video, it plays in the grandparent's own recorded voice, never a computer voice. If it isn't recorded, the words are shown on screen with music.

The scan-to-listen code

When the video is part of the order, a small code is printed on the first page of the book (inside the hardcover, and on page 1 of the PDF). Pointing a phone camera at it opens the read-aloud video. No app is needed.

Checked by a person

A real person checks every book before it is delivered. Illustrations and storyteller narration are made with AI and are stylized interpretations, not photographs.

Photos and privacy

We use the photo only to draw your grandchild. The original photo is deleted as soon as you approve the illustrated face, and never later than 30 days after delivery. We never use photos, children's information or voices to train AI. For children in Illinois, Texas and Washington, a parent or legal guardian approves the photo through an emailed link. Read the privacy policy.

The Likeness Promise

Before you pay, you get a free preview of the illustrated face with free re-dos. After you order, up to 3 more free re-dos and help from a person within 48 hours. If we still can't get the likeness right, you get a full refund within 30 days. See section 8 of our terms.

See all prices, questions and answers and what the story is about.