A Gift Book for Your Best Friend

You have already bought your best friend everything. What is left is to write to her. A gift book for a friend is a short, illustrated book that tells your friendship: from the day you met until last night's phone call. Both of you are in the illustrations, based on one photo of each.

What goes in a book about friends

  • How you met, including what each of you thought of the other at first sight.
  • That story. Every pair of friends has one that you are not allowed to tell anybody. In the book, you are allowed.
  • The trip you took together, and what went wrong on it.
  • The time she was there when nobody else was.
  • The line only the two of you say. It goes on the last page.

What tone

For friends, funny. Almost always. The last page will be moving without you even trying, because it comes after nine pages of laughing. You choose the tone in one of the seven questions, and you can change any page after you have read it.

How to make it

Upload one clear photo of each of you (you can add two more friends, up to four people in the book). Answer seven short questions. Within about a minute you get a cover and ten pages, edit what you like, and then see a free illustrated sample of the cover and two pages. Only if you love it do you order the full book: a hardcover, 21 pages, with a dedication. You can see current prices on the create page.

What to leave out

  • Exes. The book is about the two of you.
  • Other people's secrets.
  • Giant promises. "Forever" is worth less than "see you tomorrow at seven."

When to give it

A 30th or 40th birthday, a wedding, a new baby, a move to another city, or just a Tuesday. The book is sent to print after you approve it, and in the US delivery takes about 12 days, so do not leave it for the last night.

Start a book for your friend. The sample is free, and the tears are hers.

Questions about a gift book for a friend

Can I make a book for a group of friends? Yes, up to four in the illustrations. A book about the trip you took together, twenty years of a group chat, or the friends you made in college.

What if she cries? She will. It happens on page ten. The first nine are funny.

Can I add our real photos? In the illustrated book, you appear in illustrations based on your photos. If you want the photos themselves, there is a ten-page version with your real photos.

A gift for a friend who lives abroad? The book is shipped to her address, in the language you choose from Hebrew, English, German, Spanish, and Arabic. The price for her country is shown before you pay.

How far ahead of her birthday? At least three weeks, four is better. In the US, printing and delivery take about 12 days after it is sent to print.