Read it together, anywhereA beautiful page-turning reader for phone, tablet, computer, and TV — and share it with grandparents and co-parents to read in their own library.
A ballet book starring them.
Add their name and a photo. We write and illustrate a picture book with your child as the hero, and print it as a hardcover keepsake.
Make and preview your first book free. Keep it as a hardcover.
- Hardcover about $45, booklet about $21
- Ships in about 8–15 business days
- Free reprint if it arrives damaged
- Your photos are never used to train AI
The star of the show
Tell us your child’s name and add a photo if you like. Inkling writes a ballet picture book about your child’s big performance, illustrated in one style from the first class to the curtain call.
At a glance
- Best for
- Dancers aged 3–9 and their first recital
- Price
- Free to make and preview. Hardcover $45 with the eBook included; printed booklet about $21. US shipping included.
- Length
- 24 pages as standard; 8 to 32 pages. Hardcover from 20 pages.
- Who is in it
- Your child as the hero, plus any family, friends or pets you add.
- Likeness
- Optional photo; every page is drawn in one consistent style.
- Languages
- 14, including English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin Chinese.
- Delivery
- Read online in minutes. Printed copies arrive in about 8–15 business days, standard US shipping.
Story ideas parents start with
What happens in a ballet book
A ballet book follows your child from the practice room to the stage: the first wobbly pirouette, the costume fitting, the nerves in the wings, and the bow at the end. It is a popular gift for a first recital or the end of a dance year, and it works for any style, from ballet and tap to jazz or hip-hop. Tell us the name of their class or teacher and the book can feel like their own studio.
How a book like this might begin
Clara’s tummy fluttered like it was full of butterflies. Behind the velvet curtain, she could hear the audience whispering, and somewhere out there were Mom, Dad and Grandma in the second row. She pointed her toes, took a deep breath, and remembered what Miss Rosa always said: “Dance like nobody is watching, and smile like everybody is.”
The music began, soft and slow. Clara stepped into the light, rose onto her toes and began to turn, once, twice, three times. Her skirt spun out like a flower. Somewhere in the second row, Grandma gasped, and Clara could not stop smiling all the way to the final bow.
An example. Every book is written fresh for your child, so yours will be its own story.
Details that make it theirs
- Their dance style and the name of their class or teacher
- Costume colors for the big show
- Who will be in the audience
- A move they are proud of, like a spin or a leap
When families give it
Parents and grandparents give ballet books before a first recital to calm nerves, after a recital as a keepsake, or at the end of the dance year from a teacher to each student. Because the class, the teacher and the music can be real, it becomes a record of that year of dancing.
Printed books ship in about 8–15 business days, so order about three weeks ahead. You can read it on screen the moment it is made.
More occasions
How it works
From your real life to a book in their hands — in three steps.
1
Add their name and a photoPick the occasion. Add a story idea if you have one, or let us write it.2
We write and illustrate itYour child is the hero, drawn the same way on every page. It takes a few minutes.3
Preview it, then orderRead every page first. Change anything you like, then order a printed hardcover or booklet.More than a story — a keepsake
When a child sees themselves, their family, and their home on every page, the book becomes theirs — asked for again and again.
A keepsake, not a PDFOrder a sturdy printed hardcover, softcover, or booklet — your artwork edge to edge, printed on demand and shipped worldwide.
The most personal giftA one-of-a-kind book starring someone they love — perfect for birthdays, holidays, a new sibling, or grandparents.
Simple, transparent pricing
Make your book first, then choose the finish that fits. Typical prices for a finished book:
eBook
Digital storybookRead and share your book on any device, and download it. Preview every page of your first one free. The clean eBook is about $3, or included with a hardcover.Booklet
Printed softcoverA real, illustrated booklet shipped to your door. About $21.Hardcover
Keepsake hardcoverA premium hardcover keepsake, shipped worldwide — the gift they'll keep. About $45.🚚 Printed books ship worldwide in about 8–15 business days. 💛 Print guarantee: if a printed book arrives with any defect, we reprint or refund it free. Shipping · Refunds
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Questions
Can it be about their real recital?
Yes. Tell us the date, the music and who is coming, and the story is written around that day.
Can a boy star in a ballet book?
Yes. Boys star as dancers just as often. Describe your child and their style and the story is written about them.
Is it only for dance students?
No. Any child who loves to dance can star in it. Tell us their style, from ballet to tap, and the story follows it.
Do I need a photo?
No. A name is enough to start. A photo helps the illustrations look like your child.
Can I change the story?
Yes. You read every page before you order and can change any page you like.
What does it cost?
Free to make and preview. A hardcover is $45 with the eBook included, and a printed booklet about $21, US shipping included, for a standard 24-page book.
How long does it take to arrive?
You can read it online in minutes. Printed copies arrive in about 8–15 business days with standard US shipping; our delivered US orders so far took 8 to 13 days. Faster shipping is offered at checkout.
What if it arrives damaged?
We reprint it free. Your photos are never used to train AI.
See a finished book · Prices for every shipping speed · More answers