The right storyat the right momentfor every child
Bullying, a new sibling, fear of the dark, moving house. We turn it into a personal story that fits exactly what's going on right now, printed as an illustrated children's book. The child recognises themselves in it, feels seen, and the conversations that matter start on their own. You read everything for free before you order.
Parents on Tales for Now
Why we do thisThe same book every night. And every time, just as proud.
'That's me!' he shouted on the very first page.
Afterwards we had our first real conversation about what had happened at school.
We read it together the night before the move. What a difference the next day.
She still reaches for it, months later. It's really become her own story.
Stories that are actually about something.
A four-year-old sees the world differently than an eight-year-old. And what's going on, a new baby brother, the first day of school, being scared of the dark, is big to a child. Most stories only entertain, and that's fine. But a story can also connect to what your child is going through right now.
A good story lets your child recognise themselves in what's happening, and feel seen for a moment. Not too heavy, not too simple, just right for their age. The meaning lives in the story itself, not in a lesson at the end. That's how the conversations start on their own, without you having to explain a thing.
Tales for Now started with a simple question: why are there so few stories about the things that really matter to a child? That question came from parents of three boys. The answer became Tales for Now.
What does a child need?
A glimpse of the themes our stories help children through.
No theme needed? A simply fun story works too.
In a few steps to your own book
Tell us who your child is
You start with your child: name and age, and what they love and what makes them special. The more you share, the more the story is truly about your child.
Choose how your child looks
You pick an example illustration that looks like your child, so they recognise themselves in the drawings too. The story stays the heart of it, the drawings finish it off.
Pick what's going on right now
You pick the theme that's playing out right now: a new baby brother, scared of the dark or moving house. Then you fill in their world with the real people and places around them, so it's never just a name in a standard story but a story about this very child.
Read it first, for free
Moments later the whole story is on your screen. You read it free, as often as you like. Only when you're happy do you order the book.
Receive your book
We turn it into a real book: illustrated, hardcover, delivered to your door in about 5 to 7 working days. Stories to read aloud, read together or read independently, depending on the age. A book to keep.
Why Tales for Now
A story about what's going on right now
From a new baby brother to tension at school: the story is about what's actually going on, not just a name dropped into a stock tale.
No photo needed — you choose how your child looks
You choose your child's appearance yourself, from a fixed set of options. No photo needed, no uploading hassle.
Written for this child, at the right reading level
At the reading level that fits the age, in natural English.
Every story goes through a safety check
Every story and every illustration is checked before it reaches your child, and nothing is printed without that check.
The meaning lives in the story, not in a moral
The message comes through the story itself, not as a lesson tacked on at the end.
Printed, illustrated, home-delivered
A real hardcover that lasts, delivered to your door within a few working days.
What does the book cost?
- A story about what's going on now for your child
- Hardcover A5 book, illustrated in full colour
- Home-delivered in 5–7 working days
- At the reading level that fits their age
You read every story free before you pay. You only buy once you're happy.
Give them a story that stays
'That story came exactly when my child needed it'
Maybe you were wondering…
How long is a story?
It depends on your child's age. For the youngest children each story is just a few minutes and a book holds several of them; for older children each story is longer, up to fifteen minutes or more. The reading time and way of reading grow with the child's age: being read to, reading together or reading independently.
What exactly do I get?
A printed hardcover book (A5) with personal, illustrated stories written specially for one child, delivered to your door.
More about how it worksIsn't a story made with AI impersonal?
The other way round: every story is built around your child, with their age, the theme that's on their mind right now and their name. No stock story with a name pasted in.
How we use AIWill my child recognise themselves in the book?
That's the idea. Your child is the main character of the story and of the illustrations, recognisable throughout the whole book. You choose what the main character looks like, no photo needed.
How your child appears in the bookHow soon does the book arrive?
Every book is printed just for you and delivered to your door. Expect 5–7 working days, depending on the country. See the shipping costs and delivery time per country on our FAQ page.
See shipping costs and delivery times per countryCan we keep rereading the book?
Yes, the book is yours. As often as the child wants. And the stories stay in your account to reread anytime.
What age is Tales for Now for?
Every story is shaped to the age group you pick. We currently make stories for children ages 4 to 12.
Stories by ageWhat if the story isn't right?
You read the story before you pay. You only buy if you're happy with it.
Read the terms