Making a personalised children's book used to mean a designer, a printer, and a two-week wait. Today you can turn one photo of your child into a fully illustrated, narrated storybook — with them as the hero — in a short time. Here's exactly how it works, step by step.
What you'll need
- One clear photo of your child (a well-lit, front-on photo works best).
- Their name and age, so the story fits them.
- Just a short while — that's genuinely all.
You don't need to draw, write, or know anything technical. A parent or guardian sets it up on the child's behalf.
Step 1 — Add your child
Upload the photo and add a name and age. StoryMate turns the photo into a friendly, stylised character that looks like your child. That original photo is used only to create the character and is then deleted — the illustrated character is what carries through the book.
Step 2 — Pick a story
Choose a theme — space, animals, dinosaurs, bedtime and more — then a length (8, 12 or 16 pages) and an art style (watercolor, digital, pencil or cartoon). If you'd like the book to read aloud, add narration.
Step 3 — Let StoryMate make the magic
StoryMate writes the story, automatically checks the text for safety before any pictures are drawn, and illustrates every page — keeping your child's character consistent from start to finish. If you chose narration, a warm voice is added.
Step 4 — Read, keep and share
Your finished book is ready in a short time. Read it in the app online or offline, download a print-ready PDF with your child's name on the cover, or share it privately by link.
How much does it cost?
Every new account starts with 16 gems free — enough for your first narrated 8-page book. After that, a full book costs from a A$6.99 gem pack, or you can subscribe to Storyteller for 60 gems a month plus narration, HD audio and PDF downloads. See pricing for the full breakdown.
Tips for the best result
- Use a clear, front-facing photo with good lighting.
- Match the length to the child — shorter for toddlers, longer for early readers.
- Try narration for nights when your own voice needs a rest.
- Pick a theme tied to what they love right now — it makes them the hero of their world.