Picture to StoryMake a book

Personalised animal books for children

A personalised animal book puts your child at the centre of a story filled with creatures to meet, care for or help. Picture to Story turns one photo of your child into a 32-page picture book with 15 illustrated story spreads, so they can see themselves as the main character from the cover onwards. You answer a few simple questions about their age, preferred art style, adventure and the little details that make the story feel like theirs. Choose from storybook watercolour, animated film in 3D, bold cartoon or coloured pencil, then view the cover before you pay. Whether your child is drawn to animals at home, in the countryside or farther afield, an animal-themed story gives you plenty to talk about together at reading time.

See 20 story ideas
Cover of “Ava and the Missing Rainbow”, a personalised picture book starring Ava

Animals and pets book ideas

Pick one to see the story, how the first page could read and who it suits. Each one starts with your child’s photo.

Ages 3-5Your child's Rabbit Garden RescueWhen a pet rabbit slips through an open garden gate and starts nibbling in the vegetable patch, your child notices where it has gone. With an adult nearby and the rabbit’s familiar food, your child waits calmly and guides the little explorer back to its hutch.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child Helps at the StablesYour child spends a peaceful morning at the stables, helping a friendly pony get ready for the day. With a brush, water buckets and a broom, your child learns that small, careful jobs make a stable feel comfortable.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-5Your child and the New KittenWhen a tiny kitten arrives at home, your child helps prepare a quiet, cosy corner with a soft blanket and a bowl of water. With a grown-up nearby, your child learns to move gently, use a calm voice and give the kitten time to settle.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 2-4Your child's Lost Puppy TrailWhen your child finds a worried puppy by the garden gate, a trail of muddy paw prints offers the first clue. Together, your child and the puppy follow the trail through the neighbourhood, asking kindly and looking closely until they find its home.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 2-4Your child and the Farmyard BreakfastBefore the farmyard is fully awake, your child joins Farmer Mae to prepare breakfast for the hens, sheep and goats. With a scoop, a bucket and careful little steps, your child makes sure every animal has what it needs.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-6Your child's Lamb in the RainWhen a sudden shower separates a young lamb from its flock, your child spots it shivering beside a farm gate. Your child guides the lamb beneath a dry lean-to, waits with it through the rain and helps it reunite with the flock when the sky clears.Their own home town · Coloured pencilAges 4-7Your child's Seaside Seal WatchOn a family day by the sea, your child notices seals resting on the shore and learns to watch quietly from a respectful distance. When wind-blown litter appears along the beach, your child helps gather it safely with their family, leaving a cleaner place for the seals.Under the Sea · Storybook watercolourAges 3-6Your child Meets a Gentle GiantAt an animal park, your child meets a gentle elephant and watches a keeper prepare its hay and water. By slowing down to look and listen, your child notices the small, careful routines that help the elephant through its day.Enchanted Forest · Storybook watercolourAges 5-8Your child's Safari SketchbookOn a guided safari, your child fills a sketchbook with careful drawings and notes about the animals spotted along the way. From a giraffe’s patchwork coat to a zebra’s stripes and a lion’s quiet resting place, each page helps your child look closely.Jungle Safari · Coloured pencilAges 2-5Your child and the Sleepy HedgehogYour child spots a sleepy hedgehog curled beneath the garden hedge and wonders whether it needs help. With a grown-up nearby, your child learns that the kindest thing is to keep the corner calm, safe and quiet.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 2-5Your child's Big Dog WalkYour child takes charge of a cheerful, energetic dog on a woodland walk, packing the lead, water and bowl before they set off. Along the way, your child practises careful walking, notices woodland sights and knows when it is time for both of them to pause.Enchanted Forest · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child and the Cat Next DoorWhen a shy cat from next door slips into the garden, your child notices that it is not ready for a noisy hello. By sitting quietly nearby and paying attention to its small signals, your child makes space for a gentle new friendship.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child's Guinea Pig HouseWhen two guinea pigs need a new place to settle, your child becomes the thoughtful designer of their home. With a list, a little help and careful choices, your child creates a clean, cosy space with everything the guinea pigs need.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 5-8Your child and the Owl KeeperYour child visits a forest wildlife centre, where an owl keeper explains that an injured owl needs a calm place to rest. While the owl stays quiet in its shelter, your child helps with gentle jobs and learns how careful care can make a difference.Enchanted Forest · Storybook watercolourAges 3-6Your child and the Duckling DetourYour child hears a line of tiny peeps beside a quiet lane and spots a mother duck with five ducklings waiting to cross. By finding a nearby adult and watching carefully from a safe spot, your child helps the duck family continue on their way.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-6Your child Saves the Bee PatchWhen your child spots bees searching above a row of empty pots, they decide to make a small flower patch where the bees can stop for nectar. With seeds, water and patient care, your child turns a bare corner into a cheerful place buzzing with visitors.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 2-4Your child Finds a Foal FriendOn a country walk, your child spots a wobbly-legged foal watching from a grassy field beside its mother. By pausing quietly and looking carefully, your child learns why a young horse stays close to its mum.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-5Your child's Penguin Pool DayAt the zoo, your child joins a keeper beside the penguin pool to see how it is prepared for the day. Together, they check the water, watch fish being set out and notice the cosy places where penguins can rest.Under the Sea · Storybook watercolourAges 5-8Your child's Night at the Animal ShelterAs evening falls at the local animal shelter, your child helps prepare blankets, water bowls and snug sleeping spaces for the animals. With a quiet tabby cat as a guide, your child learns what each dog, cat and rabbit needs to settle for the night.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child and the Little TortoiseWhen a little tortoise appears in the garden, your child becomes its thoughtful helper for the day. By slowing down to watch its small choices, your child learns that care can mean making space, following a quiet routine and letting a friend set the pace.Their own home town · Storybook watercolour

Choosing an animal story for your child

Start with the sort of animals your child already notices. A child who stops to watch birds from the window may enjoy a quieter story, while one who fills the room with animal noises may prefer a busier adventure. Think about the role they would like to play, too: looking after an animal, finding one that needs help, or simply discovering animals in a new setting. Add a few familiar details when you create the book, such as a favourite colour or a much-loved object, so the illustrated version feels recognisable. Choose an art style that suits what they enjoy looking at, from soft watercolour scenes to bright, bold cartoon pictures.

When to read an animal-themed book

Animal stories work well when there is time to pause over the pictures. Try reading together before bed, after a visit to a park or farm, or during a quiet part of the day when your child can point out what they notice. Younger children may like to return to the same spread and name the animals, sounds or colours they can see. Older children can follow the story more closely and talk about what the main character might do next. Because the words per page are tailored to your child’s age, the book can suit a short shared read without making the text feel too dense for them.

How an animal story can support shared reading

A personalised animal book gives you a simple starting point for conversation because your child can see themselves in the illustrations. Ask open questions as you read: Which animal would you want to meet? What does it need? How could the character help? Let your child linger on favourite pages rather than rushing through the story. You can also use the pictures to practise everyday language, including colours, actions, places and animal sounds with younger children. For older children, talk about caring for animals gently and noticing what different creatures need. The aim is not to test them, but to make reading together feel active, familiar and enjoyable.

Questions

What is a personalised animal book?

It is a picture book in which your child is the main character, illustrated from one photo of them. You shape the story by answering a few questions about their age, art style, adventure and little details.

Can I see the personalised book before paying?

Yes. After creating the story details, you can see the cover free before paying.

What ages are these books for?

Picture to Story books are made for babies up to age 10. The amount of text on each page grows with your child’s age.