The best summer holiday gift for a child who loves adventure

Why summer calls for something more personal

The summer holidays stretch out for weeks: long car journeys, campsite evenings, rainy afternoons and those wonderful stretches when the grandchildren come to stay. Parents pack buckets, sun cream and a bag of activities, while grandparents dust off board games and hunt for something to fill the days. The trouble is that most summer presents follow the same tired script, another toy or gadget that entertains for an hour and then vanishes under the back seat. What actually lasts is an experience the child feels part of. Something that sparks their imagination, gives you a shared moment away from the usual screens, and turns an ordinary holiday day into a small event worth remembering long after the tan has faded.

A story where your child is the hero

Imagine a book in which the main character has your child's name, looks like them and sets off on a summer adventure of their own. You upload a photo and a first name, and they become the star of a professionally illustrated tale that runs to 26 pages. You can pick a theme that suits the mood of the holiday, from a sunny quest to a magical journey full of wonder, and there are playful directions to explore too, like a world of witches and enchantment or a heartwarming story about finding confidence. Browse the examples to see how the artwork brings a child into the pages, and you will understand why this beats one more screen moment hands down.

How it works and how quickly you have it

The whole thing is refreshingly simple. You create the book online in just a few minutes: choose your story, add the child's name and photo, and preview how they appear in the illustrations before you decide. The eBook version is usually ready within about 15 minutes, which makes it ideal for a last minute idea or a gift you want to load onto a tablet before you set off. If you would like something to hold, you can add the hardcover upgrade, which is printed and delivered to your door. Curious about the options and what each version includes? Everything is laid out clearly on the pricing page, so you can pick the format that fits your summer plans best.

Why this gift outlasts the rest

A personalized story does something a toy never can: it becomes a ritual. On a camping evening or at bedtime in the caravan, reading aloud a book in which your child rescues the day, or discovers something brave inside themselves, creates a moment you both come back to again and again. Because it is made once, for this one child, it turns into a keepsake rather than clutter. Long after the summer is over it stays on the shelf, a reminder of the holiday when they were the hero. Stories built around personal growth, like one about resisting peer pressure, can even quietly help a child while entertaining them. That is the kind of gift that keeps giving well beyond August.

What parents say

Photos and reactions from customers about their personalised children's book.

"Mia loved seeing herself on the cover of her book!"

Gay Horman

"More than amazing! So magical and the characters look so alike! I already bought 3books, and would do again!"

Jūratė

"A lovely book for my granddaughter. Very impressed with the quality. It is good that you have 3 months to edit your book beforehand if you need the extra time. Will definitely buy more in the future :)"

Leah Read

"Lucas loves his book! It included so many of his favorites that his Dad had to read it over again.

Thank you!"

Tina Catoe

"Wow! Everyone who sees this book absolutely LOVES it and is super impressed!!! The 3 characters in the story look just like their photos, the story is adorable, and the book is very professionally done and beautiful.
Creating the book online is easy and fun! This company does an amazing job!

This was a perfect birthday present and a keepsake for her family to treasure!
I highly recommend these books and this company!"

Cathy Cross

"I absolutely loved the finished product. I loved the fact you got to read the book before deciding to purchase it and it is amazing how accurate it comes out to real life by just giving a few little details. I am recommending them to anyone who will listen 😂"

Deirdre Lynn

"Absolutely love the book!"

Patti Litvinoff

"I’m really impressed with the whole experience! Creating the book was incredibly easy and intuitive, and I loved how much I could customize. I was able to make as many changes as I wanted, which made the final book feel truly personal and special.

The book arrived fairly quickly, and the quality exceeded my expectations—it looks beautiful and feels very well made. Most importantly, my son absolutely loved it, and we loved it too!

Such a fun and easy way to create a personalized book. I would definitely recommend it!"

Alexia Minca

"They both loved them. They read over and over super cute."

KELLY Orem

"This book, following the recent passing of our beloved dog Buster, gave us all something to smile about. The children being able to read about the magical adventure and see them, and Buster illustrated so wonderfully was really amazing and something we’ll treasure forever. The details, the illustrations, the quality of the book itself..I can’t fault it. Thank you so much!"

Kirsty Cooper

"Absolutely love it! I cant wait to do another one!"

Meghan Martin

"Very good"

Shabrie Cagan

View all reviews

Frequently asked questions

The digital version is ready right away, so you can have it on a tablet before you leave, even if the idea only strikes you the night before. If you want the printed hardcover, simply order it early enough that it arrives before the holiday begins. That way you can choose the format that suits your timing without any stress.

You add the child's first name and upload a photo, and they become the main character woven right through the illustrated story. You also choose the theme and adventure that fit the occasion. The result is a book that genuinely feels like it was made for that one child and no one else.

The eBook is perfect for travelling, since it lives on a tablet and comes along on every journey without adding weight to the suitcase. The hardcover is lovely for holiday evening reading and doubles as a lasting keepsake. Many people enjoy the digital version straight away and add the printed book too. You can compare the options in words on the pricing page.

A summery, travel themed adventure keeps the holiday feeling alive, whether you are actually away or filling long days at home. Something with a sense of wonder or a journey suits the season beautifully. Take a look at the example stories to find the tone that matches your child's imagination and the trip you have planned.