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 train 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
All aboard, with them driving the engine
Tell us your child’s name and add a photo if you like. Inkling writes a train adventure with your child as the engineer, illustrated in one style from the first whistle to the last station.
At a glance
- Best for
- Train-mad children aged 2–7, and first train rides
- 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 train book
In a train book your child is the engineer: they blow the whistle, shovel the coal or press the buttons, and steer through tunnels, over bridges and into stations full of waiting passengers. Stories can feature steam trains, subway trains, freight trains or a toy railway that comes to life. Train-mad children from about two to seven love seeing their name painted on the engine, and it pairs well with a first real train ride.
How a book like this might begin
Toot toot! Henry pulled the whistle cord and the Mountain Express gave a long, happy cry. Behind him, twelve carriages full of passengers waved from the windows. Ahead, the track curved over a stone bridge and up into the misty mountains. “All aboard,” said Henry, pushing the big brass lever forward. The wheels began to turn.
Through the first tunnel they went, dark and echoing. Out the other side, a herd of goats watched them pass, and a little girl waved from a field of sunflowers. Then Henry saw it far ahead: a tree had fallen across the track, and the train was going much too fast.
An example. Every book is written fresh for your child, so yours will be its own story.
Details that make it theirs
- The kind of train they love: steam, diesel, subway or high-speed
- The name painted on their engine
- Where the line goes, real or made up
- Who the passengers are
When families give it
Train books are often given for a second or third birthday, for a train-themed party, at Christmas alongside a toy railway, or before a first real train trip so the journey feels familiar. Grandparents who love trains can ride along as passengers, conductors or the station master.
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 include our real train ride?
Yes. Tell us where you went and what they saw, and the story can start from that trip.
Can it be a short book for a toddler?
Yes. Choose fewer pages and ask for simple words with repeated train sounds, and it is written for a young listener.
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