Personalised books with Penwizard

I remember being bought a personalised book when I was a child and loved reading how I and my friend helped Snow White and the 7 Dwarves save the day.  I always thought it was magical being in a book myself, and when Penwizard asked me to review one of their books, I thought of that magic and how N might feel.

The Penwizard website is easy enough to use.  It filters by character books, by boys and girls (although none for unisex), or you can just look at all the personalised books on the main page which is what I did.  I’m not a big fan of characters, so drew the line at yet another Peppa Pig book, but if you don’t mind them, then there’s books based on various different characters, Peppa Pig, and Ben and Holly.  I quite fancied the Snowman and the Snowdog book for N but decided to opt for a non-character book totally.

I decided on the N The Medieval Knight book.  The best thing about these books is the number of additional people you can add.  I included 2 of his friends, then Mummy and Daddy appear too, and I was able to choose gender, hair colour and style and skin colour  (some of the other books you could choose outfit colours as well).  Spookily, the end characters did look a bit like his friends, although N denies the Knight is him, because he hasn’t got blond hair (but the brown was too dark so blond was a nearer choice)

I always hate paying for postage, which you have to here.  However, if you’re buying for a few children, maybe for gifts, then it’s free postage over £35. The book arrived much quicker than I expected, and I’m really pleased with it.  It’s A4 size, with a glossy cover, and N’s name proudly on the front.  I would have liked smoother feeling paper inside, but that’s me being fussy.

When I showed him, N seemed a bit perplexed as to why the knight had his name, so I had to explain that it was a special personalised book and there were special people in the book to look out for.  When it came to bedtime and we got the book out to read, every time a name of someone he knew popped up, he sat up straighter to listen and look at the pictures.  He was a bit blasé about mummy and daddy being in the book, I think we were a bit irrelevant in there, but he loved seeing his friends.

The story is lovely, with each of the characters getting involved, being transported to the medieval work, and having to work to release the dragon from the evil queen.  It reminded me a bit of Mr Benn being transported away to another land, and back again, but this time with a game in a junk shop, rather than clothes.

I think the book was a success, and if my enjoyment of my childhood book is anything to go by, then N will enjoy it for years to come.

Books cost from £14.99-£18.99, so not the cheapest, but for personalising a story that they might read time and time again, I think it’s worth it.

Have you ever had a personalised book? What story would your children like to be a part of?

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Disclosure: We were able to choose a personalised book to review.  All words and opinions are my own.