Personalised Books for Grandparents
The short answer: a personalised book for a grandparent works best when it is built from their own memories and the family's favourite stories. Choose between a life-story book and a warm fictional story starring them, gather details from the whole family, and choose hardback if it is meant as a keepsake. A GiftBookStory book is around 200 pages, from £24.99 in softcover or £34.99 in hardback.
Three kinds of book for Grandma or Grandad
- A life-story book. Their childhood, work, marriage, moves and milestones, told as a readable story rather than a list of dates. See our guide to personalised memoir and life story books.
- A story starring them. A warm adventure or gentle mystery in which Grandma or Grandad is the hero, with their real habits, sayings and hobbies woven in.
- A family comedy. For a grandparent with a good sense of humour: their famous driving, their garden, their feud with the neighbour's cat.
Good occasions
- Big birthdays such as a 70th, 80th or 90th.
- Grandparents' Day, the first Sunday in October in the UK.
- Christmas, especially when the whole family has contributed.
- A golden or diamond wedding anniversary, told as the couple's story.
- A new grandchild, as a story that connects the generations.
Gathering the memories
Ask the whole family for stories. Good questions include:
- Where did they grow up, and what was the house like?
- How did they meet their partner?
- What jobs did they do, and what are the stories from work?
- What family traditions did they start?
- What do the grandchildren always ask them about?
- What phrases or habits is everyone instantly reminded of?
Check sensitive facts with a close relative, and leave out anything that could upset them or other living family members. A story that gets a treasured memory slightly wrong can hurt more than it pleases.
Formats and prices
| Format | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Digital only | £9.99 | $12.99 |
| Softcover (digital included) | £24.99 | $35 |
| Hardback (digital included) | £34.99 | $45 |
Hardback suits a keepsake that will be passed down. Delivery is free on printed books, and printed books are typically delivered 7–14 business days after printing, so allow time before a birthday or Christmas.
How to make one
- Start the book wizard and choose who the book is for.
- Answer the questions with specific memories and add family members to the cast.
- Choose a genre, such as memoir for a life story or adventure for a story starring them.
- Review the title, cover preview and chapter outline, then choose a format.
For more ideas, read personalised books for adults or our guide to a personalised book for mum.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a good personalised book for a grandparent?
Real memories: where they grew up, how they met their partner, the jobs they did, family traditions and the stories the grandchildren always ask to hear again. The more specific the detail, the more the book will feel like theirs.
Can the grandchildren appear in the story?
Yes. You can add family members to the story’s cast, so grandchildren, children and partners can appear alongside Grandma or Grandad.
Is a life-story book or a fictional story better?
A memoir-style book suits a grandparent who loves telling stories about the past. A warm fictional adventure starring them suits someone who would enjoy seeing themselves as the hero. GiftBookStory offers memoir, adventure, comedy, romance, mystery and drama.
Do you make personalized books for grandparents in the US?
Yes. Personalized books for grandparents are $35 softcover or $45 hardback in the US, printed by a North American partner with free delivery, or $12.99 for the digital book alone.