Many thanks to the kind folks at Storybug for this review copy! Storybug specializes in personalized children’s books that will be treasured by kids and parents alike. The process is super easy; just choose which story you want, add your child’s description (name, eye and hair color, skin tone, etc), and add to cart! It’s that easy. The books offer great value for the price, and they are made in the USA.

The personalized book I got is a bedtime story, “designed to ease your little ones into a peaceful night’s sleep, incorporating their name into a soothing story that creates a tranquil bedtime environment for busy minds and bodies. This personalized narrative weaves a gentle journey to dreamland, making bedtime a cherished, calming ritual for both children and parents.”

When I was very young, there were no personalized books for me (both because that was not yet considered as a viable idea, and because I had a very unusual name. There were no keychains or pencils with my name on them).  That being said, I love what Storybug is doing. These books support the uniqueness of each child and would make great gifts (hello, grandparents!).

This is a fantastic idea, one that kids will love as they hear the story again and again. The illustrations are colorful and full of detail, and parents can help their little one learn vocabulary words by pointing to images such as a tree, the moon, butterflies, etc. Each of these short stories will enchant little ones and hopefully spark an interest in reading. Indeed, Storybug’s vision is:

With StoryBug books, reading goes from a chore to a cherished pastime and part of everyday life. Inspired by the critical need to address the decline in literacy rates among children, we curate personalized page-turners that resonate with little ones at a personalized level. By incorporating their names and physical depiction into our stories, we’re empowering kids to step into worlds where they can be brave, kind, curious and entirely themselves.

Here are some takeaways on the role of parents in developing a child’s reading habits:

  • Parental involvement has a direct correlation with children’s reading habits, vocabulary, and overall learning potential.
  • Early and sustained exposure to reading at home significantly boosts cognitive and emotional development.
  • Parents play a pivotal role by creating a supportive environment that encourages a love for reading.
  • Understanding the profound benefits of reading can motivate parents to make reading a priority in their child’s daily routine.

I can honestly say that I inherited my love of reading when I was about 2 years old. My Mom would read to me and I loved sitting on her lap looking at the words as she read them aloud. With social media clamoring for every child’s attention, parents need to cement a reading environment early on. These sweet books are a great beginning to a lifelong journey.

Reading through IT’S BEDTIME, SUMMER made me feel relaxed and cosy. It is easy to smile as you follow the journey of the eponymous little girl as she travels to a lush forest, meeting a wise old owl, a little ladybug, and a sparkly unicorn. The storyline is simple yet nuanced, with the target audience being newborns up to 6 years old.

Here are some thoughts from other readers:

“Beautiful bedtime story to read to my little man. Not only is it calming, it also feels very peaceful.”

“Love this book. The story was true to life because my toddler niece does not always want to go to bed at night so this was perfect.”

“I love these books. My daughter can’t get enough of them either.”

“My granddaughter received her book this weekend, for her birthday. She absolutely loves it!”

“These books are excellent quality! The pages are vibrant, colorful and thick. I love being able to customize the characters to look like the kids!! I also love the dedication page where you can write anything you want. Such a super nice added touch! Beautiful books, worth every penny!”

As you can see, these books would be the perfect addition to any child’s beginning library. With the holidays coming up, this beautifully written/illustrated book would be a great gift for your little one.

Shop for these personalized books here – tell them gimmethatbook sent you!