How to Create a Custom Storybook Using Your Family Photos

The Magic of Photo-Based Storybooks

Imagine your child opening a beautifully illustrated storybook — and seeing their own face looking back at them as the hero. That's the magic of modern AI-powered personalized books.

Unlike traditional personalized books that just swap in a name, today's technology can transform your actual family photos into stunning illustrated characters. Here's how to create one.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather:

Step 1: Choose Your Photo

The key to great results is starting with a good photo. Here's what works:

Do:

Don't:

Step 2: Upload to an AI Storybook Service

For this guide, we'll use ThatCoolBook — one of the best AI storybook generators available.

1. Go to thatcoolbook.com and create a free account

2. Click "Create New Story"

3. Upload your photo(s) — you can include up to 4 characters

The AI will analyze the photo and prepare to create illustrated versions that maintain the likeness.

Step 3: Choose Your Story Theme

Now the fun part — picking what adventure your family will go on!

Popular themes include:

You can also write your own custom plot if you have a specific story in mind.

Step 4: Select an Art Style

This is where personality comes in. Different art styles create completely different feels:

Preview different styles to see which one captures your family's vibe.

Step 5: Generate Your Story

Click generate and watch the magic happen. The AI will:

1. Create illustrated versions of your characters

2. Write a rhyming story with your characters

3. Generate unique illustrations for each page

4. Compile everything into a 15-page book

This typically takes just a few minutes.

Step 6: Review and Perfect

Here's where you make it yours. You can:

Take your time here — you can regenerate pages unlimited times until you're happy.

Step 7: Save or Print

Once you're thrilled with your creation:

Digital (Free):

Printed ($35):

Tips for the Best Results

For the photos:

For the story:

For the art:

Real Example: Our Family Test

We created a book starring our 5-year-old, Emma, as a space explorer. Total time from start to finish? 12 minutes.

The result? A 15-page illustrated adventure where Emma pilots a rocket, meets friendly aliens, and saves a stranded astronaut. She's asked to read it every single night for the past month.

Why This Makes an Amazing Gift

Custom photo storybooks are perfect for:

Ready to Create Your Own?

The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and creating the digital version is completely free. You only pay if you want a printed copy.

Start creating your photo storybook →

Your family's next favorite bedtime story is waiting to be made.