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 robot 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
An inventor and their robot best friend
Tell us your child’s name and add a photo if you like. Inkling writes a robot adventure starring your child as the inventor, illustrated in one style from the first bolt to the last beep.
At a glance
- Best for
- Curious builders aged 4–9
- 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 robot book
A robot book casts your child as the inventor: they draw the plans, tighten the bolts and press the button that brings their robot to life. From there the story can go anywhere, from a robot that helps with chores (badly) to a trip to a robot city on the moon. It suits curious four-to-nine-year-olds who build things, and it quietly celebrates trying, failing and trying again.
How a book like this might begin
Ethan tightened the last bolt, pushed his goggles up onto his forehead and stood back. The robot was made of a toaster, two flashlights, a lot of string and a very old roller skate. He pressed the red button. Nothing happened. He pressed it again. Then, with a whirr and a beep, the robot opened its flashlight eyes and said, “Hello. I am Bolt. What shall we build?”
Bolt was very good at building and very bad at everything else. He tried to help with the dishes and washed the cat. He tried to help with the garden and planted the socks. “Never mind,” said Ethan, patting his metal head. “Every inventor makes mistakes. Let’s try again.”
An example. Every book is written fresh for your child, so yours will be its own story.
Details that make it theirs
- What their robot is made of and what it can do
- The robot’s name
- Where the inventing happens: the garage, the kitchen, a secret lab
- Something they love to build in real life
When families give it
Robot books are often given for birthdays, after a first coding or science club, or to a child who takes everything apart to see how it works. A story where the invention fails before it works is a gentle way to talk about trying again.
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 encourage STEM learning?
It can. Ask for a story where your child plans, tests and fixes their invention, and it is written to show that process at a level that suits their age.
Can it be about a real robot kit we own?
Yes. Describe it or add a photo, and the robot in the story can look like the one on your table.
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