Frequent Questions

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

1. Upload photos – Add up to three pictures of the people you want featured.

2. Add details – Tell us about each character (name, age, role) and choose who the main characters are.

3. Choose the story – Provide your own outline or pick from our themed prompts, then set an age range and art style.

4. 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.

5. Customize – Approve the story, add a dedication, and pick fonts and scrollwork.

6. Illustrations – We generate characters based on your photos, then create the rest of the cast, cover, and page art. You can regenerate any images until they’re just right.

7. Final approval – Once you approve the pages, we generate the final PDFs for printing.

8. 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.

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:

1. Magical Cartoon – Warm, hand-drawn cel animation inspired by Studio Ghibli. Soft colors, expressive characters, and dreamy atmospheres. Perfect for kids who love cartoons and animated movies.

2. 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.

3. 3D Rendered – Polished CGI in the style of Pixar and Disney films. Rich colors, cinematic lighting, and rounded, expressive characters. Ideal for kids who love animated movies like Toy Story or Frozen.

4. Claymation – Charming plasticine stop-motion style inspired by Wallace & Gromit and Aardman Animations. Warm, cozy scenes with visible clay textures and fingerprint details. Great for kids who love tactile, handmade-feeling worlds.

5. 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.

6. Craft World – Exquisite textile diorama style inspired by Coraline and Kubo. Needle-felted characters, knitted textures, and embroidered details. Wonderful for kids who appreciate handmade artistry and cozy, enchanting worlds.

7. 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.

How do I upload and use family photos in the story?

You can upload up to three photos of the people you want featured in the book. We’ll automatically extract the faces and use them to create illustrations of 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.

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 three main characters to star in the story. The story will also include supporting characters (friends, family, magical creatures, etc.) that we generate for you.

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. You can also regenerate any images until you’re happy with them.

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.

What formats are available?

We offer a variety of formats to fit your needs:

1. Paperback - a lightweight, affordable option that is perfect for everyday reading.

2. Hardcover - a sturdier keepsake designed to last for years.

3. Coloring Book - a standalone book with line art illustrations, perfect for creative coloring fun.

4. Keepsake Bundle - includes both hardcover and paperback, plus 10 image regenerations.

5. Paperback + Coloring Bundle - combines a full-color paperback with a coloring version of the same story.

6. Hardcover + Coloring Bundle - combines a full-color hardcover with a coloring version of the same story.

7. Digital Flipbook - every purchase includes a free online version you can read instantly, along with a simplified PDF you can print at home.

Is there a digital version included?

Yes. Every purchase comes with two digital versions of your book:

1. Online Flipbook – a shareable version you can read instantly on any device.

2. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

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 3–5 business days after you approve the final pages. Shipping time depends on the delivery option you choose at checkout, but in general you can expect your book to arrive within 7–10 business days total. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as it ships.

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.

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.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes! We offer digital gift cards in three denominations:

1. $25 Gift Card

2. $50 Gift Card

3. $100 Gift Card

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.

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.

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.

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.