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Personalised Books from Grandparents: Putting Grandma and Grandad in the Story

Which fairy tales have a part for a grandmother or grandfather, how to make the book when you live far away, and the photo etiquette of making one for a grandchild.

By Personalised Story Books Editorial Team · Published · 2 min read
Little Red Riding Hood personalised story book – illustrated page 2

Key takeaways

  • The gift that lands is a book where the grandparent is in the story too, with their own face.
  • Grandmother parts include the grandmother in Little Red Riding Hood, the fairy godmother in Cinderella and the good fairy in Sleeping Beauty.
  • Grandfather parts include the godfather in The Nutcracker, the king in Puss in Boots and the woodcarver in Pinocchio.
  • Ask the parents for the photo of the child rather than taking one from social media.

Grandparents already have a part in most fairy tales. They’re just usually played by somebody else. In a personalised book they can play it themselves: grandma opening the cottage door to her grandchild in a red cloak, grandad handing over the nutcracker on Christmas Eve.

Parts that suit a grandmother

These come from the story pages on I Am In The Story, which list who each part suits.

  • Little Red Riding Hood: grandmother, of course, and also the mother who packs the basket.
  • Cinderella: the fairy godmother.
  • Sleeping Beauty: the good fairy, or the old woman at the forest edge.
  • The Little Match Girl: the grandmother in the light, who helps lead the hero home.
  • Alice in Wonderland: the Mad Hatter, if your mother-in-law has a sense of humour.

The full list of tales with a part for a grandmother is on iaminthestory.com.

Parts that suit a grandfather

  • The Nutcracker: the godfather who brings the gift. Probably the best grandad part in the library.
  • Pinocchio: the old woodcarver who sells his coat to buy a spelling book.
  • Puss in Boots: the king.
  • Little Red Riding Hood: the woodcutter who chases off the wolf.
  • Snow White: the huntsman.

Here is the list of stories with a part for a grandfather. Or skip the classics and write a few sentences about something you actually do together: the allotment, the fishing trip, the Sunday walk to the shop for sweets.

If you live a long way away

This is where a digital book is better than a printed one. Open it on a video call, both on the same page, and read it together. The printed copy can follow by post as the keepsake.

Making it

You’ll need a clear photo of your grandchild and, if you’re in the story, one of yourself. Front-facing, near a window, no sunglasses. Then choose the tale, add both of you and assign the parts. On I Am In The Story new accounts get 20 free credits, which is enough to make a short book and see how it comes out before spending anything. The photo guide has more tips.

A word about the photo

It’s your grandchild, but it’s the parents’ call. Ask them for a photo, and tell them where it’s going. On I Am In The Story photos are used only to draw the book and a one-off upload is deleted when the book is ready. If they’d like to check for themselves, send them our privacy checklist.

Occasions

Birthdays and Christmas, obviously (see our Christmas guide). But also the end of a long summer visit, a first grandchild, or a book made by the grandchild as a present for you. There are more ideas in the gift ideas list.

Frequently asked questions

Can grandparents be in a personalised book?

Yes. On I Am In The Story a book can hold up to three people, and many of the classic tales have parts that suit a grandparent, from the fairy godmother in Cinderella to the old woodcarver in Pinocchio.

We live far from our grandchildren. Does this still work?

Very well. A digital book can be read together on a video call, with both of you on the same page. A printed copy can go in the post afterwards.

Do we need the parents' permission?

You need a clear photo of the child, so in practice, yes. It's also polite to tell them how the photo will be used. Plenty of grandparents make the book together with their son or daughter.

Pick a fairy tale, add your child

Classic stories children already know by name — each one retold with your child on every page.

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