Most "personalized children's books" make your child the character of a generic story written by someone else. We do the opposite.
At The Sapling Press, your child is the author. They bring the spark — a rough idea, a favorite character, a half-formed adventure — and we help them shape it into a real story. Through guided conversations and age-appropriate questions, we help your child figure out who their characters are, what happens next, and how their story ends. The words and ideas stay entirely theirs. We just help them find them.
Once the story is ready, we handle everything else: custom illustrations, professional layout, cover design, dedication page, author bio, and hardcover printing. What arrives in the mail is a real published book that looks like it came off a Scholastic shelf, with your child's name as the author on the cover.
It's not a craft kit. It's not a template. It's the real thing — story coaching, design, and publishing, all in one.
Ayansh, age 5  Tag You Are IT! Cat, Dog, Bob, and Dot head to the park for a game of tag — and learn that sometimes the best races end in a tie, with everyone cheering for everyone else.
Prachi Sharma is the founder of The Sapling Press and the author of two children's books — Manju: A Life of Grit, Grace and Greatness (Notion Press, 2023), a collection of 20 illustrated short stories rooted in her mother's life across rural India and the US, and Paws Around the World, told through the eyes of an adorable, mischievous dog named Oreo as he journeys with his family from Indian cities to France and America.
Based in San Ramon, California, Prachi started The Sapling Press after publishing her own books and realizing how much creative confidence a child gains when their story is taken seriously enough to be bound between two covers.
Picasso said every child is an artist. Prachi believes every child is a writer too.
Read Prachi's books: Manju: A Life of Grit, Grace and Greatness → Paws Around the World →
Step 1 — Tell us about your child
A short conversation about your child's age, interests, and the story they want to tell. If they don't have one yet, we'll help them find it.
Step 2 — We help your child shape the storyÂ
Through guided conversations and thoughtful questions, we help your child build their rough idea into a proper story — beginning, middle, and end. The words and imagination stay entirely theirs; we just help them find the shape.Â
Step 3 — We bring it to life
Custom illustrations, professional layout, cover design, author bio, dedication page — the works.
Step 4 — A real book arrives at your door
A beautifully printed hardcover with your child's name on the cover. A keepsake they'll treasure for life.
The Sapling Press is for families who want to take their child's imagination seriously.
A Sapling Press book makes the perfect:
Milestone gift for a 5th, 7th, or 10th birthday
Holiday or grandparent gift
End-of-school-year celebration
First-grandchild keepsake
Encouragement for a child who already loves to write or draw
Recommended ages 5–12. We work with families across the Bay Area and beyond.