Personalized birthday storybooks
A birthday book about the birthday child.
A birthday storybook with your child as the hero, drawn from their photo: a magic present opens a door to an adventure. Free to try, ready in minutes.
Ages 2 to 9 · Free to try · Photos never stored · Ready in about 5 minutes
What's in the book
In this story a mysterious present arrives on the morning of the birthday. Inside is a door, and through the door is an adventure that only the birthday child can finish before the party starts. Panelo draws your child from one photo and writes the adventure around them, with their age, their friends and the cake they asked for.
It makes a lovely gift from grandparents who live far away, because the book is a link they can open on any phone and read together on a video call. You can also print it and slip it into a card.
3 stories to start from
Birthday adventure
A birthday where a magical present opens a door to an adventure, ending with the best party ever.
Make this one
Superhero for a day
Waking up with a superpower, getting a cape, and saving the whole town's giant birthday parade.
Make this one
Candy land
A boat ride down a chocolate river through a land of candy hills to help the Gumdrop King find his lost crown.
Make this one
What makes a birthday book special
The age is in the story
Turning five is a big deal at five. The story can mark it: five candles, five friends, five dragons.
It keeps
A toy is forgotten by spring. A book with their face in it gets read for years, and makes a sweet record of each birthday.
Last-minute friendly
Forgot a gift for a party this afternoon? It's ready in about five minutes.
Make it theirs
The more you tell Panelo, the more the story sounds like your family. Good things to mention:
- Their new age
- The theme of the party (dinosaurs, space, unicorns)
- Best friends who'll be there
- The present they're hoping for
How it works
- 1
Add a photo
One clear photo of your child (and anyone else in the story). Panelo draws them as a storybook character, then the photo is discarded.
- 2
Pick the story and style
Start from Birthday adventure or any of the 42+ stories, in one of 10 art styles.
- 3
Read, print or share
The cover and first two pages are free. Unlock the whole book to download the PDF and share a flip-book link.
Choose the art style
3D MovieLike a big animated film
StorybookSoft paint & pencil
Classic AnimationHand-drawn movie magic
CartoonBold & bright TV cartoon
Vintage StorybookInk & watercolor classic
Retro Golden1950s picture book
Paper CollagePainted tissue paper
Anime DreamSoft painted anime film
Clay 3DCozy stop-motion
Indian MiniatureJewel-toned Pichwai painting
Questions parents ask
Can I make a birthday book for a child who isn't mine?
Yes, as long as you have permission to use their photo, for example from their parents. Many people make one as a gift for a niece, nephew or grandchild.
Can the birthday book have a theme, like dinosaurs or space?
Yes. Pick the birthday story and mention the party theme in the details, or choose an adventure like Dinosaur world or Blast off to space and add that it's their birthday.
Is my child's photo stored?
No. The photo is used once to draw your child as a storybook character and is then discarded. Saved and shared books contain only the drawings.
How much does it cost?
Trying it is free: you get your child as a cartoon hero, their story, the cover and the first two pages. The full book (up to 10 pages, up to four heroes including pets) is $9 one time, or ₹449 in India. The Family plan is $19 a month for three books.
