How it Works?

Four easy steps to a custom story your child will treasure.

At What a Read, we make awesome personalized books. Not just any stories, but ones that feel like they truly belong to the kid who opens them. Making one is actually pretty straightforward—pick the perfect story, add their name and little details, write a message from the heart, and then watch their face light up when they realize they’re the hero of their very own adventure. Here’s how the magic happens…

How personalized books work

Four quick steps from idea to keepsake.

  1. Browse the bookshop to pick a story
    Step 1

    Pick the story

    Scroll through our bookshop until you find the one that just feels right—the story they’ll read again and again.

  2. Personalize the book with their name and details
    Step 2

    Make it theirs

    Add their name and a few details that make the pages pop. Small touches turn a book into their book.

  3. Write a printed dedication on the first page
    Step 3

    Write a note

    Say something sweet, silly, or heartfelt. We’ll print your message on the very first page.

  4. A finished personalized book ready to gift
    Step 4

    Gift it forever

    When it lands in their hands, it’s more than a book—it’s a keepsake they’ll reread and treasure.

Why personalized books are kind of magical

There’s just something about seeing your own name in the story that sparks a different kind of excitement. Kids don’t just read these books, they live inside them. Suddenly, they’re the hero, the explorer, the one making decisions that matter. That little boost of recognition makes them curious, engaged, and honestly, proud.

We’ve seen it again and again—kids pay more attention when the story is about them. They get through the pages quicker, remember the plot more easily, and even start asking more questions. It’s not just about fun, it’s about building confidence, sparking creativity, and giving them a head-start with reading and imagination.

What makes our books different

We don’t just stop at sticking a name in the story. Our books are designed to feel like proper adventures—layered with learning, hidden details, playful twists, and artwork that actually grows with the reader. Each one is crafted to bring more value:

  • Stories shaped around real child development research (so the fun and learning mix naturally).
  • Extra personalization options—because every kid is a little different, and their story should be too.
  • High-quality print and design that feels like a keepsake, not just another paperback.
  • Messages and themes that encourage empathy, resilience, curiosity—things that stay with them long after story time.

At the end of the day, we’re not just making books. We’re making little doorways into a child’s imagination, where they’re not just reading a story—they’re part of it. And that’s something they don’t forget.