Wonderbly helped make personalised children's books mainstream, so it is often the first name people search for. But it is not the only option, and depending on what you want, it may not be the best fit. If you are looking for a Wonderbly alternative, it helps to understand what actually differs from one book maker to the next before you choose.
Here is an honest guide to the kinds of personalised books out there and how to pick the right one for your child.
The main kinds of personalised book makers
Most personalised book makers fall into one of three groups, and the difference matters more than the brand name on the cover.
Name and avatar books. Your child's name appears in the story, and often you build a cartoon avatar by choosing hair, skin tone and features. This is the most common approach and the one many big names use. It is charming, but the character is still a generic illustration that shares a name rather than a likeness.
Photo and face books. You upload real photos and your child is illustrated into the story so the hero genuinely resembles them. This is the most personal type, because the character on the page is recognisably your child. It is the approach we take, and you can see how it looks here.
Print-your-own and template tools. DIY services where you assemble pages yourself. Flexible and cheap, but the result depends entirely on your own design effort and the quality varies.
What to compare before you choose
- How personal it really is. Does the hero look like your child, or just share a name? A likeness is what turns a nice book into a keepsake.
- Illustration and print quality. Pages you would happily read a hundred times, in a hardcover that survives a toddler.
- A real story. A genuine story holds up at bedtime long after the novelty of seeing a name wears off.
- Preview before you buy. Being able to see your child in the book before ordering removes the guesswork.
- Languages and shipping. Check the book is available in your language and ships to you in time for the occasion.
How to pick the right one
Match the maker to what you actually want. If you want the most personal keepsake, where the hero truly looks like your child, a photo and face book wins. If you only want a quick novelty with a name in it, a name-only book may be enough. For a gift meant to last, the more it resembles your child, the more it tends to be treasured. Encouraging a love of reading is worth the thought either way, as Reading Rockets explains.
When you are ready, our personalised books for children let you preview your child as the hero before you order, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Wonderbly alternative?
It depends on what you want. If you want the most personal book, where your child's face is illustrated into the story rather than just their name, a photo and face book maker is the closest you will get to a true likeness.
Are there personalised books that use your child's photo?
Yes. Photo-based makers illustrate your child into the story from real photos, so the hero looks like them rather than a generic avatar. You can preview the result before you buy.
Want to see your child as the hero before you decide? You can create a personalised book and preview it in minutes.
