A Personal Book: What It Is and How to Order One
When you search for a "personal book," you get two completely different things under the same name. Some books drop a child's name into a story that already exists. Others are written fresh, only about the person you choose, from your memories. In this article we explain the difference, how to order a personal book from Magical Book, and what exactly arrives at your door.
A personal book in a nutshell: a new story
Our personal book is a printed hardcover with 21 pages: a cover, ten text pages, and ten illustrations. The story is not taken off a shelf. It is written from your answers about the person in the book: the occasion, the tone, three memories that have to be in, favorite places and hobbies, and one sentence for the last page. The people you add appear in the illustrations based on the photos you upload.
You can write a personal book about a child, a partner, mom and dad, grandparents, a close friend, or an entire team at work. Up to four people can appear in one book.
How to order a personal book in four steps
- Choose who is in the book: just you, you and someone else, or a group of up to four. For each person, add a name and one clear photo.
- Answer seven short questions, in your own words. You do not have to know how to write.
- Read the book. Within about a minute you get a cover and ten pages. You can edit any page yourself, ask for a rewrite, or leave a note and we will rewrite it accordingly.
- See a free sample: we illustrate the cover and two pages at no charge. You order the full book only if you love it.
How much does a personal book cost?
A hardcover personal book includes the writing, the illustrations, and the dedication. The first two people in the book are included in the price, and the third and fourth carry a small extra charge. The sample is free. Shipping and the exact price for your country are shown before you pay, and you can check them on the create page.
In which languages?
Hebrew, English, German, Spanish, and Arabic. You can order a personal book in Hebrew for a grandmother overseas and the same idea in English for an uncle in New York.
And what about a book made from your real photos?
We also have another version of a personal book: a ten-page book where the photos are your own photos, with no illustrations. You make it on the site or in a chat conversation, page by page, with a photo and text for each page, and you see the entire book before you pay. You can start it here.
Why a book and not another gift
An ordinary gift gets used up. A personal book stays on the shelf, and someone opens it a year later and finds themselves in it. That is why most of our personal books are ordered as gifts: for a milestone birthday, a retirement, an anniversary, for mom and dad.
Want to try it? Start a personal book, answer the questions, and see the free sample before any decision.
Questions and answers about a personal book
What is the difference between a personal book and a personalized book? A personalized book puts a name and photo into an existing story. A personal book is written fresh, only about the person you chose, from the memories you shared. At Magical Book we have both: personalized children's books, and a personal book for adults and families.
How long does it take to make a personal book? Answering the seven questions takes a few minutes. The story is written within about a minute. Editing is up to you. After you approve, the book goes to print, and the delivery estimate is shown at checkout. In the US, expect about 12 days.
Can I make a personal book as a surprise? Yes. All you need is one clear photo of the person and three memories. You can make the book without them knowing. The order messages and emails go to you, and if you ship directly to them, a courier may contact them.
Who writes the book? The story is written by artificial intelligence from your answers, and you edit and approve every page. What gets printed is what you approved.
Does a personal book suit a child? For children up to about 8 or 9, a children's book where the child is the hero of an illustrated story is a better fit. From age 10, a comic book or a personal book written just about them works well.