Answer · Pricing
How much does a personalized children’s book cost?
A personalized Akoni Books storybook costs $9.99 for the digital PDF, $29.99 for an 8 × 8 inches printed softcover, or $39.99 for a hardcover — and both printed formats already include the digital PDF and free shipping, so there is no separate shipping charge to add. A second language on any format adds $10. Every price is a one-time purchase for one book; you are not required to subscribe to anything to buy a single book.
There is no charge to see the book first: the illustrated cover, the dedication page and the first three illustrated pages preview for free, with no card required. Digital books finish in minutes for the pre-built themes (a few minutes longer for a fully custom one); printed books arrive in 5–7 business days. If the child does not light up when they see themselves in the book, email us within 30 days of delivery and we refund you in full — and they keep the book.
The details, in one place
| Digital PDF | $9.99 — instant download, no shipping |
|---|---|
| Softcover | $29.99 — 8 × 8 inches, includes the digital PDF, free shipping |
| Hardcover | $39.99 — same trim as softcover, sturdier binding, includes the digital PDF, free shipping |
| Second language (bilingual) | +$10 on any of the three formats above — so bilingual digital is $19.99, softcover $39.99, hardcover $49.99 |
| Preview | Free — the cover, the dedication page and the first three illustrated pages, no card required |
| Is it a subscription? | No. Every price above is a one-time purchase for one book |
| What is included at every price | 35 pages, 9 art styles to choose from, a signed dedication page, and a full refund within 30 days if the child does not light up seeing themselves in it |
| Payment processor | Stripe |
The full price list
| Digital PDF | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Digital PDF, bilingual | $19.99 |
| Softcover (8 × 8 inches) | $29.99 — includes digital PDF, free shipping |
| Softcover, bilingual | $39.99 |
| Hardcover (8 × 8 inches) | $39.99 — includes digital PDF, free shipping |
| Hardcover, bilingual | $49.99 |
What the price does and doesn't depend on
The price is set by format and by whether you add a second language — nothing else. The theme you choose (adventure, animals, bedtime, a Christmas keepsake, and more), which of the 9 art styles you pick, and the child's age all shape the story and illustrations, but none of them change what you pay. A hardcover Christmas book and a hardcover birthday book cost exactly the same.
Print prices already fold in shipping rather than adding it at checkout, and a printed order always includes the digital PDF as well — so buying print is never "print instead of digital," it's both. See softcover vs hardcover vs digital for which format actually suits a given child or occasion.
See the price by seeing the book first
The cover and opening pages preview free, no card needed. Decide the format after you've seen it.
See the free previewIf the child does not light up when they see themselves in the book, email us within 30 days of delivery and we refund you in full — and they keep the book.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a digital personalized book cost?
$9.99, one time, for the finished PDF. It is ready in minutes for the pre-built themes, or a few minutes longer if you open "Deeper customization" to write a fully bespoke story.
How much does a printed personalized book cost?
An 8 × 8 inches softcover is $29.99 and a hardcover is $39.99. Both prices already include free shipping and the digital PDF — there's no separate shipping fee added at checkout, and no need to buy the digital edition separately since it comes with either printed format.
Is there an extra charge for a bilingual book?
Yes, +$10 on top of any of the three formats. That makes bilingual digital $19.99, bilingual softcover $39.99, and bilingual hardcover $49.99. The surcharge is the same regardless of which second language you choose.
Do I have to pay before I see the book?
No. The free preview shows the illustrated cover, the dedication page and the first three illustrated pages before any payment, with no card required to reach it. You only pay to unlock the remaining illustrated pages and, if you chose print, to have a copy made and shipped.
Is this a subscription?
No. Every price above buys one book, one time. There is no recurring charge tied to making a single book.
Does the price change by age, theme or art style?
No. The price depends only on the format — digital, softcover or hardcover — and whether you add a second language. Which of the 9 art styles or which theme you pick does not change the price.
What if I am not happy with it after paying?
If the child does not light up when they see themselves in the book, email us within 30 days of delivery and we refund you in full — and they keep the book.
Are there any hidden fees at checkout?
No. The price shown for softcover and hardcover already includes shipping, and print orders include the digital PDF at no extra cost. Payment is processed by Stripe; you pay the listed price and nothing is added afterward.
Last reviewed August 2026. Prices, formats and turnaround times on this page are checked against the live Akoni Books product.