The My Painted Story blog
Gift ideas, books for big moments, reading together, and everything about how our books are made.
Why personalised books matter: what happens when a child sees themselves in a story
Why a personalised children’s book means so much more than a name on a page, and how seeing themselves as the hero helps children love reading.
How to order a personalised storybook, step by step
A simple guide to making a personalised children’s book with My Painted Story: choosing a story, adding a photo, seeing the preview and ordering.
How long does a personalised book take to arrive?
Delivery times for our personalised books: when the digital book arrives, how long hardcovers take to print and post in the UK, and Christmas dates.
How to choose the best photo for a personalised children’s book
Simple tips for picking a photo that gives the best likeness in a personalised storybook: light, angle, glasses, group photos and more.
Personalised Christmas books: a present they will keep for years
Why a personalised Christmas storybook makes such a special present, with ideas for Christmas Eve boxes, stockings and last-minute gifts.
Gift ideas from grandparents: a book starring the grandchildren
A thoughtful gift from Nana and Grandad: a personalised storybook with the grandchildren and the grandparents painted in, to read together.
Personalised books for brothers and sisters
Storybooks that star two or three children together, so nobody feels left out: brave together in a pillow fort, a balloon trip, or a treasure hunt.
Books for big firsts: first wobbly tooth, first swimming lesson, first show
Personalised stories that help children with new and nervous moments: losing a first tooth, learning to swim, and dancing in a first show.
Ten minutes at bedtime: why reading together matters
How a short story at bedtime helps young children with language, calm and closeness, plus simple tips for making reading together a habit.
Adventure stories for 3 to 7 year olds: jungles, pirates, diggers and racing cars
Our favourite adventure stories for young children, from a tiger cub who lost his roar to very polite pirates, building-site machines and a little racing car.
How our books are made: from a photo to a printed hardcover
Behind the scenes at My Painted Story: how each story is written and illustrated, how your child is painted in, and how the hardcover is printed in the UK.
How to read your digital book on a Kindle, tablet or phone
Your personalised digital book is a PDF. Here is how to open it on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, computer, or send it to a Kindle.
Helping a young child after someone dies: a gentle guide
Simple, gentle advice for talking to young children about death and grief, based on what child bereavement charities recommend, with places to find support.