1. Start with the story, not the customisation menu.
Ask what the child will actually do in the book. Is there a beginning, a small problem and a satisfying ending? Would it still be enjoyable if the name were different? A preview can tell you far more than a list of personalisation options.
For a very young child, look for a read-aloud rhythm and pictures with something to point at. For an older child, check whether the adventure leaves room for curiosity rather than explaining every feeling for them.
2. Check what “personalised” really means.
Books use the word in different ways. Some change only a name or dedication. Others let you select a character's appearance, include a sibling or pet, add a photo, or shape the story itself. None of those approaches is automatically better; the meaningful detail is the one your child will recognise.
Before ordering, check whose names can appear, whether more than one person can be included, and whether each person actually has a role. Our personalisation ideas guide gives you a short list to think through together.
3. Preview the pages and read the fine print.
If a seller offers a page-by-page preview, use it. Look for natural-sounding names in sentences, consistent illustrations and a sensible age fit. If there is no preview, ask what can be changed after you submit your details and before printing.
Check the final format too: hardcover or softcover, size, page count and whether a dedication is included. For Australian delivery, verify the current production and shipping estimate on the seller's own site—especially before a birthday or holiday. Those details can change.
4. Share only the details the book needs.
A photo-based book may ask for an image; a name-based book may not. Before uploading a child's photo, read how the provider stores and uses it, whether it is used to train any systems, and how you can request deletion. Avoid adding school names, addresses or daily routines to story instructions. Australia's eSafety Commissioner has practical guidance on children's privacy ↗.
For our interest list, we only need an email address. There is no reason to send a child's name or photo at this stage.
5. Choose a book for the moment you want to share.
A first birthday, a new sibling and a quiet bedtime can call for very different stories. Think about who will read it aloud, where they will read it and what the child might notice. A book that reflects a familiar place can give you a conversation after the last page: “Remember when we went there?”
That sense of recognition is the idea behind our fictional Melbourne sample. It is a way to show the direction we're exploring, not a promise of a finished product.