The illustrated book
Your story together, painted in watercolor.
A printed book for someone you love: your partner, your mum, your grandpa, your best friend. Each page is a full-page watercolor of the two of you, painted from your photos, with your words woven in.
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- Drawn from your photos
- Written from your real memories
- Printed to keep
The moments only the two of you know, finally on paper.
Full colour, heavy matte paper — printed and shipped to your door.
A real illustrated book
Leaf through a real book.
“Ton humour m'a eue” (“Your humor got me”), written by Naomi for Manou's birthday. 24 pages, each painted from their photos and their memories.
This one is written in French; yours is written in your language.
Pages 2–3
Pages 6–7
Pages 10–11
Pages 14–15
Pages 16–17
Pages 18–19
Four gentle steps.
01
Tell us about them
Who they are to you, the occasion, and a few questions: what you love about them, the memories that make you smile.
02
Pick the idea, add two photos
We suggest three ideas for the book. Choose one, then add a photo of each of you so the paintings look like you.
03
See the cover and first pages
Your cover (repaint it if you like) and the opening pages, before you pay anything. Then choose the length.
04
Receive your printed book
We write and paint the rest, print it and ship it, ready to give.
For every person you love.
A partner for an anniversary, a parent for their birthday, a friend at Christmas. The questions, the tone and the story adapt to who they are to you.
For example
Your partner
You still leave me the last pancake. You think I haven't noticed.
For example
Your mum or dad
You taught me to ride a bike by letting go before I was ready.
For example
Your grandparent
'They'll grow taller than you,' you said about the beans. They did.
For example
Your best friend
Every Christmas, the ugliest sweater we can find. This year it's your turn.
For example
Your child
The day you read your first word out loud, you made us read it ten times.
Made from your photos, and your words.
Nothing generic, nothing invented. You're both painted from your own photos, and every line comes from what you tell us.
- Your faces and features
- The memories you share
- The places that matter
- Your little rituals
- Your inside jokes
- What you wish for them
Your photos
Your watercolour page
Three formats, one story.
A compact 5.5 × 8.5 in book in premium color. Choose the length after you've seen the first pages.
Standard Edition
24 pages · Saddle stitch binding
The heart of your story, one watercolor page per moment.
$39.99
Create your illustrated bookDeluxe Edition
36 pages · Paperback binding
Room for more memories, rituals and details.
$59.99
Create your illustrated bookEpic Edition
48 pages · Hardcover binding
The full story in a hardcover keepsake, made to last.
$99.99
Create your illustrated bookPrices in USD · Standard shipping included
For a birthday, an anniversary, Christmas, or just because.
Flowers fade. A book of your story gets opened on a quiet evening, left on the coffee table, and found again years later.
Create your illustrated bookQuestions, answered.
What exactly is an illustrated book?
A printed book written from you to someone you love. Every page is a full-page watercolor of the two of you with a few words: a continuous story built only from your real memories.
What do I need to create one?
A photo of each of you, a few minutes, and answers to at least 3 questions. The more precise your answers, the more personal the book.
What kind of photos work best?
A clear, well-lit photo of each person, face visible, one person per photo.
Can I see it before ordering?
Yes. You see the cover (you can repaint it up to twice) and the first pages before paying, then choose the length.
What does the printed book look like?
A 5.5 × 8.5 in book in premium color: 24 pages stapled, 36 pages paperback, or 48 pages hardcover.
How long does it take?
Your illustrated book is created within a few days, then printing and delivery usually take about a week. If you have a date in mind, tell us at checkout.
Where do you deliver?
For now, we deliver within the United States only. Standard shipping is included in the price.
What if I need help?
Write to hello@storytohold.com and a real person answers, usually the same day — including help choosing photos or making a deadline.
Ready to put your story on paper?
Turn the moments you share with someone you love into a book they'll keep.
Create your illustrated book