Christmas gift for a 9-year-old: a personalised children's book starring them

A nine-year-old often reads quickly and can see through a simple plot in two pages. This book gives them more to get their teeth into: four to seven sentences per page, funny dialogue and a challenge that takes both courage and clever thinking. The pictures show your child in the middle of the action, illustrated from the photo you upload.

Make a book for a 9-year-old

Hardback in time for Christmas: order by 3 December

Taking things seriously at nine

Nine is an age of strong opinions about fairness and searching questions. Children want to understand why rules exist and speak up when they don't make sense. Many have an activity that means a lot to them and practise hard to improve. Reading comes easily to most, and they're ready for longer books with several storylines and some suspense. Nine-year-olds often enjoy silly humour but may cringe at anything that feels too babyish. A book for this age shouldn't talk down to its reader. The hero needs to make decisions, get things wrong sometimes and show what they can do when it matters, whether that's in front of their team, class or a friend.

Would you like to see a finished book before you decide? Browse our example books.

Themes for nine-year-olds

For a child who loves to practise, try sport: a crucial match, a team that has to stick together and a hero who doesn't give up at the last minute. Choose their favourite activity, from football to horse riding. If they love riddles and maps, try a treasure hunt with clues to solve one by one, where your child cracks the final clue before the adults have even understood the first.

Choose a theme

Making their book feel just right

The details make all the difference. What position does your child play, what's their team called, and which song do they sing in the shower every morning? Tell us the things they'd be delighted to see in a book. Friends, a coach, a cousin or grandad can join in, with up to five characters in all. Perseverance suits a nine-year-old who practises hard, while honesty or respect can carry a story about the team. Choose the visual style together if you like: many nine-year-olds love the look of a comic book or 3D animation. The foreword could be a message about something they've worked hard at this year and how it turned out.

A book for a reader who's nearly ten

A nine-year-old will often read the book independently, sometimes in one sitting before bed. It could be a ninth birthday gift or a treat after a season with the team, ready to show their coach and friends. An eBook sent by email lets a grandparent who lives far away share in the story too. The hardback remains a keepsake of what it was like to be nine. If your child finds the book too easy, you can make the next instalment for ages 10+, with more text and suspense: the age group can be changed when you create a sequel.