For a lot of kids, the family dog is their best friend, so a story where the child is the hero and the dog is the sidekick lands immediately. You can make one with TaleOfYou today: in the quiz, write your dog's breed, color and name in the favorite animal box, for example "our golden retriever, Biscuit". The story is written around the two of them and every page is illustrated.
What to tell us about the dog
The more specific the description, the more the illustrated dog looks like yours. Three details matter most:
- Breed or mix: "beagle", "black lab mix", "small fluffy white terrier".
- Colors and markings: "brown with a white patch on the chest", "one floppy ear".
- Name: the story uses it on every page where the dog appears.
Example: "our scruffy grey schnauzer, Pepper, with a big beard". The story engine turns that into one fixed description of Pepper, and every illustration reuses it, so the dog looks the same on all 12 pages.
Be honest with yourself about photos
Our books are illustrated from your description, not from a photo, so the dog in the book is a watercolor version of the breed and colors you describe, not a portrait of your exact dog. For most kids this does not matter: they recognize "their" dog by the name, the color and what it does in the story. If you need a photo-accurate likeness, a custom portrait artist is the better choice, at a much higher price and with weeks of waiting.
Story ideas that work with a dog sidekick
- Dinosaur valley: the dog's nose finds a lost baby dinosaur. Choose the dinosaur world in the quiz.
- Space voyage: the first dog on a candy-colored planet, nervous at first, brave by the end.
- Ocean explorer: the dog doggy-paddles beside a friendly whale.
- Little superhero: the dog is the hero's trusty partner, with its own tiny cape.
Pair the world with a lesson. With a dog sidekick, "sharing" and "kindness" are natural fits: the dog shares a stick, the child shares a snack, a new friend gets invited to play.
Great moments to give one
- A new puppy: a story that welcomes the puppy into the family, read during those first sleepless weeks.
- A birthday: the child and the dog on an adventure built around their favorite things.
- A move or a new sibling: the dog is the familiar friend who makes the change feel safe. Our article on becoming a big sibling has more ideas.
- A dog that has passed away: some families make a gentle book where the dog joins one more adventure. If you do, choose a calm world and the lesson "kindness".
How it works
- Answer the 90-second quiz: name, age, looks, favorite things, the dog as favorite animal, the world and the lesson.
- The story is written and checked, then illustrated with the same child and the same dog on every page.
- The PDF arrives by email in minutes. Read it on a tablet or print it at home; see how to print a picture book at home.
FAQ
Can the book include two pets?
One sidekick works best for a 12-page story. Pick the pet your child is closest to, and mention the second one in the dedication.
Can the dog be the hero instead of the child?
Our books always star the child. The dog gets the best supporting role.