Frequent Questions
Everything you need to know about creating your personalized storybook — from uploading photos to shipping and support.
What is Genie in a Book?
Genie in a Book is a personalized children’s storybook where you upload photos of your family and provide a short story prompt. We use AI to generate custom illustrations and text that make your loved ones the stars of the story. Unlike most personalized books, there are no pre-written templates—every story is unique, making each book one-of-a-kind.
How does the process work from start to finish?
The process is simple and guided step by step.
- Upload photos – Add up to four pictures of the people you want featured.
- Add details – Tell us about each character (name, age, role) and choose who the main characters are.
- Choose the story – Provide your own outline or pick from our themed prompts, then set an age range and art style.
- Story creation – Our AI creates a 12-page story, and each page is paired with a custom illustration. Along with a dedication page, title, and a few extra pages at the front and back, your finished book comes out to 32 pages in total.
- Customize – Approve the story, add a dedication, and pick fonts and scrollwork.
- Meet your characters – We illustrate your characters from your photos. Preview and regenerate them for free until they look just right — no payment yet.
- Preview & unlock – See your cover and first pages free, then unlock the full book when you’re happy. Each order includes 20 image regenerations (10 more with the Keepsake Bundle) to refine the cover and every page.
- Final approval – Once you approve the pages, we generate the final PDFs for printing.
- Get your book – You’ll receive your professionally printed copy in the mail, plus access to a digital flipbook and a simplified PDF you can print at home.
Set aside about 15 minutes for setup — most families can create a book in one sitting.
Do I have to pay before I see my book?
No. You create your story, meet your illustrated characters, and even preview your cover and first pages — all for free. You can regenerate your characters before paying anything. You only purchase when you’re ready to unlock the full book, and every order includes 20 image regenerations (30 with the Keepsake Bundle) to perfect the cover and every page.
There’s no risk in starting — you’ll see exactly what your book looks like before you decide to buy.
What makes your books different from other personalized children’s books?
Most personalized children’s books use pre-written templates where only the name or photo changes. Genie in a Book is completely different. Every story is created from scratch using your photos, details, and prompts. The result is a one-of-a-kind, fully illustrated 32-page storybook where your loved ones truly become the main characters.
What art styles are available?
We offer seven unique illustration styles, each giving your book a completely different look and feel:
- Magical Cartoon – Warm, hand-drawn animation with soft colors, expressive characters, and dreamy atmospheres. Perfect for kids who love cartoons and animated movies.
- Retro Adventure – Bold, painterly illustrations inspired by vintage 1930s–1950s pulp magazine art. Dramatic lighting and heroic compositions. Great for adventurous kids who love treasure hunts and epic quests.
- 3D Rendered – Polished CGI-style illustration with rich colors, cinematic lighting, and rounded, expressive characters. Ideal for kids who love modern animated movies.
- Claymation – Charming stop-motion clay style with warm scenes, visible clay textures, and handmade-feeling details. Great for kids who love tactile worlds.
- Layered Paper – Dimensional paper shadow-box art with laser-cut silhouettes and layered depth. Theatrical lighting with soft drop shadows between layers. Perfect for kids who love craft projects and pop-up books.
- Cotton Kingdom – Exquisite textile diorama style with needle-felted characters, knitted textures, and embroidered details. Wonderful for kids who appreciate handmade artistry and cozy, enchanting worlds.
- Coloring Book – Black and white line art designed for coloring with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Clean outlines with closed shapes and clear boundaries. The cover features partial crayon coloring on the characters and title for an inviting, ready-to-color look.
Not sure which style to pick? Check out our Art Style Gallery or Inspiration page to see examples of each style with different characters.
How do I upload and use family photos in the story?
You can upload up to four photos of the people you want featured in the book. We’ll automatically extract the faces and use them to create illustrations inspired by your characters. You’ll then add details like their name, age, and role in the story, and choose who the main characters are. From there, our system turns those photos into unique illustrations that appear throughout the book.
For the best results, take photos specifically for the book — well-lit, full-body shots without hats or heavy filters create the clearest illustrations.
Can I include a pet in the story?
Yes, but pets work differently from people. Our system is designed around photos of human characters, so pet photos are not used for exact pet likenesses. The best way to include a pet is to describe them in the story prompt with simple details like animal type, common breed, color, name, and personality.
For example: “a loyal black Labrador named Milo” or “a curious tabby cat who follows her everywhere.” Simple, recognizable descriptions work best.
What happens to the photos I upload?
We use uploaded photos to create your personalized characters, generate your book, support the approval workflow, process your order, and improve the service. Books are also personally reviewed before printing for quality. We collect only what we need to provide the service, we never sell your data, and payment details are handled through Stripe.
Only upload photos you have the right to use, especially when children are pictured. For privacy or deletion requests, contact support@genieinabook.com.
Can I change the names or titles of characters (e.g., “Mom” instead of “Sarah”)?
Yes. You can choose between real names, nicknames, or titles like “Mom,” “Grandpa,” or “Big Sister.” We recommend using titles or nicknames for everyone except the child, since that usually makes the story flow more naturally and feel more like the way your family actually talks.
How many characters can I include in the story?
You can upload photos for up to four characters to star in the story. The story will also include supporting characters (friends, family, magical creatures, etc.) that we generate for you.
The story usually works best with one or two main characters. Keeping the cast small makes the book easier to follow and ensures the spotlight stays on your child as the true hero of the adventure.
How does Genie in a Book keep characters and illustrations consistent across an entire story?
Genie in a Book is built on a proprietary consistency engine designed to maintain continuity across AI-generated personalized children’s books. Instead of generating each page in isolation, the system identifies key story elements—such as characters, locations, and recurring details—and uses internal reference context to guide story text and illustrations from beginning to end. This approach helps ensure that characters look the same across pages, settings remain recognizable, and the story feels cohesive rather than fragmented.
Can I preview the book before it’s printed?
Yes. You’ll see a full digital preview of the story, including text and illustrations, before anything goes to print. At each step — story text, characters, cover, and final pages — you’ll have a chance to review and approve. Each order includes 20 image regenerations, with 10 additional regenerations included in the Keepsake Bundle.
Take your time during the approval steps — it’s your chance to fine-tune details so the printed book comes out exactly how you want it.
Can I regenerate illustrations if they don’t look right?
Yes. You’ll be able to regenerate any illustration if it doesn’t look the way you want. Each book purchase includes 20 regenerations total — covering characters, supporting cast, the cover, and page art. If you purchase the Keepsake Bundle (hardcover + paperback), you’ll also get 10 additional image regenerations.
Use regenerations thoughtfully. Small tweaks usually make the biggest difference, and most families find their favorite illustrations within just a few tries.
What formats are available?
We offer a variety of formats to fit your needs:
- Paperback - a lightweight, affordable option that is perfect for everyday reading.
- Hardcover - a sturdier keepsake designed to last for years.
- Coloring Book - a standalone book with line art illustrations, perfect for creative coloring fun.
- Keepsake Bundle - includes both hardcover and paperback, plus 10 additional image regenerations.
- Paperback + Coloring Bundle - combines a full-color paperback with a coloring version of the same story.
- Hardcover + Coloring Bundle - combines a full-color hardcover with a coloring version of the same story.
- Digital Flipbook - every purchase includes a free online version you can read instantly, along with a simplified PDF you can print at home.
Bundles offer the best value and give you multiple ways to enjoy your story.
How much does each option cost?
Pricing depends on the format you choose:
- Paperback - $34.99
- Hardcover - $47.99
- Coloring Book - $16.99
- Keepsake Bundle (hardcover + paperback + 10 regenerations) - $69.99
- Paperback + Coloring Bundle - $46.99
- Hardcover + Coloring Bundle - $59.99
- Every order also includes a free digital flipbook and printable PDF.
Bundles offer the best savings - you get multiple formats at a discounted price compared to buying them separately.
Is there a digital version included?
Yes. Every purchase comes with two digital versions of your book:
- Online Flipbook – a shareable version you can read instantly on any device.
- Printable PDF – a simplified version you can download and print at home.
What are my coloring book options?
We offer two ways to get a coloring book:
- Add Coloring Bundle – When finalizing your storybook, you can add a coloring book version during checkout. This creates an exact copy of your story printed on uncoated matte paper, perfect for crayons and markers. The coloring book uses the same characters, pages, and story as your main book.
- Create a Standalone Coloring Book – You can also create a brand new coloring book from scratch with its own unique story and characters. Just select "Coloring Book" as your art style during the story creation process. This gives you a completely separate book designed specifically for coloring.
The coloring bundle is perfect if you want both a full-color keepsake and a coloring activity version of the same story. A standalone coloring book is great if you want a fresh adventure designed just for coloring fun.
What size are the books?
Both the hardcover and paperback are printed as 7.5" x 7.5" square books — a kid-friendly size that’s easy to hold and perfect for bedtime reading.
What type of paper and printing quality do you use?
We use premium paper and finishes to give your book a professional, bookstore-quality feel. All standard storybooks are printed on 80# white coated paper with a glossy finish, which makes colors vibrant and illustrations pop. If you choose the coloring book style, your pages will be printed on 80# white uncoated paper with a matte finish, perfect for coloring with crayons or markers.
Will the printed illustrations look like the digital previews?
Yes. The printed book is based directly on the final approved digital pages, so what you see in the preview is what you’ll receive in print. Colors may vary slightly due to the difference between screen and print. For hardcover editions, the cover image is expanded using AI to fill the wrap area. Because outpainting can be unpredictable, every book is personally reviewed front to back before it goes to print to make sure it meets our quality standards. We won't send a book to the printer unless it looks awesome.
How long does it take to receive my book after ordering?
Most books are printed and ready to ship within 7–10 business days after you approve the final pages. Shipping time depends on the delivery option you choose at checkout. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your book ships.
Since every book is made to order and personally reviewed before printing, it takes a little longer than off-the-shelf books. If you’re ordering for a birthday or holiday, we recommend placing your order early to be safe.
Do you ship internationally?
Right now, we ship within the United States only. We plan to expand international shipping in the future, but at launch we’re focused on U.S. customers to ensure fast and reliable delivery.
If you’d like to be notified when international shipping becomes available, join our mailing list — we’ll announce new regions as soon as we launch them.
Can I track my order once it’s shipped?
Yes. As soon as your book ships, you’ll receive an email with a tracking link so you can follow its progress right to your doorstep. Tracking updates sometimes take a day to appear after the label is created — check back if you don’t see movement right away.
Can I order multiple copies of the same book for gifts?
Yes. Once your book is finalized, you can order as many copies as you’d like in paperback, hardcover, or both. Extra copies make great gifts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who wants their own keepsake.
Ordering multiple copies in the same order can save you money on shipping — especially if you’re gifting to family in the same household.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes! We offer digital gift cards in three denominations:
- $25 Gift Card
- $50 Gift Card
- $100 Gift Card
Gift cards are redeemed as store credit and can be used toward any of our offerings — paperback, hardcover, or the Keepsake Bundle. They make perfect gifts for grandparents, friends, or anyone who wants to create their own personalized storybook.
What ages are the books best suited for?
Genie in a Book stories are designed for children of all ages. Since you select the target age range during setup, the language is tailored to fit — simpler for toddlers, more detailed for older kids. Most families find the books especially magical for ages 3 to 10, when kids are old enough to see themselves as the hero of the story.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
Because each book is custom-made, we do not offer refunds once printing has started. Before that point, cancellation and refund may be possible. If there is a defect, printing error, or damage in transit, contact us within 7 days of delivery and we’ll replace it at no cost.
Read the full return and cancellation policyReview your preview carefully before final approval — once a book is approved and sent to print, we cannot change the printed copy.
What happens if I’m not happy with the illustrations?
You’ll have multiple chances to review and refine your book before it ever goes to print. That includes regenerating characters, previewing page art, and approving the final story. Each order comes with 20 regenerations (plus 10 bonus if you purchase the Keepsake Bundle), so you have plenty of flexibility to make adjustments along the way. Once the book is approved and sent to print, we aren’t able to change the illustrations — but the approval process is designed to make sure you’re happy with every page before that point.
Use regenerations wisely during the character and page approval steps — that’s the best time to fine-tune illustrations until they look just right.
What if my book arrives damaged?
If your book arrives damaged or with a printing defect, we’ll replace it at no cost. Just contact us with photos of the issue, and we’ll take care of it. Because each book is custom-made, we personally review every file before sending it to print to minimize the chance of errors — but if something happens in shipping or production, we’ll make it right.
Hold onto the packaging and snap a photo of any visible damage right away — it helps us quickly process a replacement with the printer.
How do I contact customer support?
If you ever need help, you can reach us through the contact us option in the help button on the lower right of your screen or via email at support@genieinabook.com.