Personalized Children's Books

A Storybook Starring Your Child

Upload a photo, pick a theme, and we'll create a beautifully illustrated storybook with your child as the hero — in minutes, not weeks.

Your child's actual face, illustrated as the hero.

From $9.99 · Digital in a few minutes · Free shipping on print (5–7 days)

If they don't light up at the cover, we'll refund you in full

Three Steps to Magic

No design skills needed. Just a photo and a little imagination.

Step One

Upload a Photo

Share a clear photo of your child's face. We capture their unique features to create consistent illustrations throughout the story.

Step Two

Choose a Theme

Pick from magical adventures, space odysseys, underwater worlds, and more. Add your child's name and personal details.

Step Three

Get Your Book

In just a few minutes, your personalized storybook is ready. Download the digital PDF or order a beautifully printed copy.

A Story Made for Fafali

Every page features your child, illustrated in a style you choose.

Fafali discovers a glowing doorway in the garden
Page 1

The Enchanted Garden

One warm evening, just as the fireflies began to dance, Fafali noticed something extraordinary in the garden. Between the old mango tree and the hibiscus hedge, a doorway shimmered with golden light — a doorway that hadn't been there before.

"Every great adventure begins with a single curious step."
Fafali befriends a glowing forest creature
Page 7

A Friend in the Moonlight

Deep in the Whispering Woods, Fafali met a tiny creature whose fur glowed like starlight. It blinked its wide amber eyes and chirped softly, as if to say, "I've been waiting for someone brave enough to find me."

"The best friendships start when you least expect them."
Fafali looks up at a sky full of wishes
Page 11

The Wishing Sky

At the very top of the Crystal Hill, Fafali looked up and gasped. The sky was alive with drifting lanterns — each one carrying a child's wish to the stars. Fafali closed her eyes, held one close, and whispered a wish of her own.

"Wishes are just dreams brave enough to be spoken aloud."

Choose Your Art Style

Six hand-crafted illustration styles to match the mood of your story.

Whimsical Watercolor style

Whimsical Watercolor

Soft, dreamy, hand-painted feel

Bold Cartoon style

Bold Cartoon

Vibrant, energetic, playful lines

Soft Pastel style

Soft Pastel

Gentle tones, cozy and warm

Anime / Ghibli style

Anime / Ghibli

Expressive, cinematic wonder

Flat Geometric style

Flat Geometric

Modern, clean, minimalist shapes

Pixel Art style

Pixel Art

Retro-inspired, charming pixels

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Start with a digital download, or gift a printed keepsake they'll treasure forever.

Digital PDF

$9.99
Instant download
  • 12-page personalized story
  • High-res printable PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Ready in a few minutes
Get Started

Hardcover Book

$39.99
The ultimate keepsake
  • 16-page personalized story + PDF
  • Durable hardcover binding
  • Glossy laminated cover
  • Free Shipping Arrives in 5–7 days
Get Started
If your child doesn't light up when they see themselves on the cover, we'll refund you in full — and you keep the book.

Frequently asked questions

Everything parents and grandparents ask before their first Akoni book.

What is Akoni Books?

Akoni Books is a personalized children's book service that uses AI to create custom illustrated storybooks where your child is the hero. You upload one photo, choose from nine art styles, and receive a digital book in about five minutes or a printed hardcover/softcover in 5–10 days. The name "Akoni" means hero in Yoruba.

How does it work?

Four steps: (1) Tell us a bit about your child — name, age, interests. (2) Upload one clear photo. (3) Choose one of nine illustration styles and a story theme. (4) Akoni generates your fully illustrated, personalized 12-page storybook in about five minutes.

How much does an Akoni book cost?

Digital PDF: $9.99. Softcover printed book: $29.99. Hardcover printed book: $39.99. Print orders include shipping (US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia) via our print partner Gelato. Every order includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee — if you don't love it, we'll refund you.

Can I include siblings, friends, pets, or grandparents?

Yes. Akoni Books supports multiple characters in the same story. You can upload reference photos for siblings, friends, pets, or grandparents and they'll be illustrated consistently across every page.

How is this different from Wonderbly, Hooray Heroes, or I See Me?

Most personalized book services use template books with name and avatar customization — your child becomes a stylized cartoon character with your name typed in. Akoni Books is different: we use AI to render your actual child as the illustrated hero based on your photo, with consistent appearance across every page. The story is also generated for your specific child rather than being a template fill-in. See the full comparison →

What ages is this for?

Akoni books are designed for ages 2–10. Story length, vocabulary, and themes adjust based on your child's age. The most popular ages are 3–7.

Can I see the book before paying?

Yes. You see your fully generated book — every page, every illustration — before any payment. If you don't love it, you don't pay.

How fast can I get a printed book?

The digital PDF is ready in about five minutes. Printed books are produced and shipped by Gelato; typical delivery is 5–10 business days for the US, EU, and UK; up to 14 days for other regions.

Is it safe to upload my child's photo?

Yes. Photos are used only to generate your book's illustrations and are stored on encrypted servers. We never share photos with third parties or use them to train AI models. You can request deletion at any time.

Make bedtime magical tonight

A story they'll ask for again and again — because the hero is them.

Create Your Storybook
Create Your Book