Meet Magic Story: Personalized Books Starring Your Child
An introduction to Magic Story’s personalized books, how to choose and preview a story, and the difference between one-time purchases and subscriptions.
In this article
Magic Story brings a child’s name and illustrated likeness into a story they can share with someone they love. A parent might choose a bedtime adventure; a grandparent might send a book about the moon after a conversation about the night sky.
This article was first published when Magic Story launched in November 2024. We have updated the practical information below to describe how families can choose and order books today.
A familiar face in an illustrated adventure
Each book begins with an existing story. You choose a title, create a character from a photo, and review the available personalization options. The child’s illustrated character becomes part of that adventure.
Start by finding a premise the child would enjoy. A book about feelings gives you characters and situations to talk about together. A nature adventure can begin with a question the child is already asking.
You can browse the current collection by the themes and titles available. Read the sample pages as well as the title. They show you the story’s tone and how much reading it asks of the adult or child.
Choose for the child you know
There is no single starting book for every family. Think about the books the child already brings to you. Are they drawn to an animal on the cover, a funny situation, an adventure, or a question they want answered?
For example, The Emotion Emporium follows a child through rooms that explore different feelings. You could pause at an expression and say, “What do you notice about that face?” You can also read straight through if that is what the child wants.
Even Whales Go to Bed follows a child searching for an animal that never sleeps. Deer, elephants, and a gentle whale appear along the way, giving an animal-loving child creatures to notice as the story explores rest.
Our guide to choosing a personalized book offers a fuller checklist if you are comparing stories or buying for a child you do not see every day.
Preview before you order
- Choose the story. Read its description and sample pages.
- Create the character. Use a clear photo and enter the child’s details. If you are not the parent or guardian, get their permission first.
- Review the result. Check the name and illustrated likeness. Follow the revision options if something is wrong.
- Check the purchase and delivery details. Confirm the book, any available companion, the buying option, and the shipping address before paying.
The free preview guide explains what you can see at each stage. You can create a personalized preview without a credit card. Sample interiors may show a sample character rather than your own completed book.
If you are choosing a present, leave time for printing as well as shipping. The delivery guide and checkout provide the relevant estimates for your order.
Choose one book or a recurring delivery
A one-time purchase is a straightforward way to buy a particular title for a birthday, a visit, or your own shelf.
A website Magic Story+ membership sends a personalized hardcover each month and lets you manage upcoming books from your account. It has recurring charges, so choose it when ongoing deliveries suit the family. Digital versions of purchased subscription books are also available in the app.
App-store memberships work differently from website subscriptions. They accrue monthly credits rather than shipping automatically. Read the terms for the place where you subscribe and use that store to manage its billing.
You can compare current prices in our pricing guide. Checkout shows the amount for your shopping country, including applicable shipping and tax.
Make the gift easy for the family to receive
If you are buying for a grandchild, ask which name to print, which photo the parent would like used, and where the book should arrive. Those details are worth checking even when you know the child well.
If you would rather let the family handle personalization, the gift subscription guide explains the current gift-code option. It is currently available for US delivery and lets the recipient provide the photo and set up the books.
Add a note about why you chose the story. “For our next visit, when you can show me your favorite page” gives the gift a simple invitation. The child can open it in their own way and decide which part interests them.
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Questions parents ask
What is personalized in a Magic Story book?
The child’s name and illustrated character appear in the selected story. Other choices, such as an outfit or companion, depend on the title. Review the options shown for that book.
Do I need a subscription to buy a book?
No. You can buy a book as a one-time purchase. Website Magic Story+ subscriptions offer recurring deliveries, while app-store memberships use monthly credits.
Can a grandparent give a book without providing the child’s photo?
The current gift subscription option lets the recipient provide the photo and personalize the books. It is available for delivery in the United States; check the gift flow for the current choices and terms.
