Personalized stories for what your child is going through
Every child has moments that are hard to find the right book for.
Maybe they’re feeling left out. Afraid of getting something wrong. Starting somewhere new. Struggling with losing. Worried about something that’s hard to explain.
Once turns those moments into personalized illustrated stories made for your child.
More than their name in a story
A personalized story can be more than putting your child’s name into an adventure.
With Once, you tell us what’s actually happening, what matters about the situation, and what you hope your child can explore through the story.
Once creates the story around that particular child, in that particular moment.
Stories for the moments that matter
A Once story can begin with almost anything your child is going through:
Friendship & belonging
Feeling left out, making friends, or navigating a difficult moment with another child.
Mistakes & trying again
Getting something wrong, giving up quickly, or being afraid to try.
Fears & worries
The dark, sleeping alone, a new experience, or something else that’s been on their mind.
School & new experiences
Starting school, changing classrooms, meeting a new teacher, or facing something unfamiliar.
Big feelings & everyday challenges
Losing a game, sibling changes, disappointment, frustration, and the many small-but-big moments of childhood.
Made around your child
Then choose the kind of story that feels right — playful, adventurous, warm, metaphorical, calm for bedtime, or let Once choose.
The result is an illustrated story created around the information you shared.
You can tell Once about your child’s:
- age
- interests
- personality
- current situation
- what you hope they might understand, feel, or try
A different way to start a conversation
Sometimes children don’t want another explanation about what they should do.
A story gives them a little distance.
They can watch a character face something difficult, make choices, notice what happens, and try something different — without the story needing to turn into a lecture.
And sometimes the most interesting part comes after the story, when a child starts talking.
Made to read together
Read a Once story whenever it fits your family — after school, on the couch, during a quiet moment, or as a personalized bedtime story.
Along the way, Pause & Wonder moments give you natural places to stop, wonder together, and hear what your child thinks.
How it works
1. Tell Once what’s going on
Share the situation and what matters about it.
2. Make it theirs
Add your child’s age, interests, and the details that will make the story feel familiar.
3. Create the story
Once creates a personalized illustrated story around what you’ve shared.
4. Read it together
Enjoy the story and see where the conversation goes.