Frequently asked questions
What makes Tail Stories different?
Most personalised children's books use avatars — a selection of pre-drawn animals that roughly match your pet. They're fun, but they could belong to anyone.
At Tail Stories, we use AI and your actual photos to create a book featuring your pet — their real markings captured on the page. A black and white collie looks like that collie. A Norwegian forest cat looks like that cat.
Our stories are also written and designed by real people who genuinely care about the finished product. That means we produce a limited number of titles — but it also means every book is made with care and attention.
The result is a perfect keepsake gift that pet lovers will treasure for years to come.
How are the books made?
Tail Stories books are written by humans, and we use AI to create images of your pet in our unique Tail Stories illustration style. A real person writes the story, and designs the book layout and base images. AI image generation then brings those illustrations to life, using your photos as a reference. Every finished book is individually reviewed by a real person before it goes to print. The technology makes the personalisation possible, whilst the people make sure the finished product is high quality and meaningful.
How do I share my pet's photos with you?
When you place your order, you'll be asked to upload a few photos of your pet directly through our website — no emails needed. Read our next FAQ, to see what photos you should include....
What should I include in my uploaded photos?
We recommend sending 3–5 clear photos, making sure to capture any unique markings:
- The books shows your pet from all angles - make sure your photos show their back, their underbelly, both of their sides, and their face.
- Don't forget their tail!
- Phone photos are absolutely fine.
- The more we can see your pet in photos, the more accurately we can capture your pet in the story.
- Use our cropping tool to crop out humans and animals.
- Try not to have large body harnesses or similar in the photos.
Can I see what my pet looks like in the book before it gets printed?
We quality check and assemble each individual storybooks ourselves. Before printing, we send you a preview of your completed storybook, where you can choose to send straight to printer, or take us up on our offer of free edits - if we don't hear back from you within 48 hours, we will send the preview to print. You can request edits until you are 100% happy with how your pet looks in the book.
What is the return policy?
These are fully personalised products, so cannot be resold by us if returned. This is why we have the preview approvals process (see previous FAQ). However our goal is for every customer to be totally satisfied with their purchase. If this isn't the case, let us know and we'll do our best to work with you to make it right - quality matters to us.
What pets do you create books for?
Both cats and dogs are currently accepted. If you have another type of pet you'd love to see starring in a book, get in touch and let us know. We're always thinking about how to grow our range.
What ages are the books suitable for?
Our books are written for children roughly aged 3–8, though adults love them too. The stories are fun and adventurous with enough detail to keep older children engaged, and simple enough to read aloud with younger ones. We aim to expand our range soon - feel free to get in touch if you have a particular request!
When will I get my order?
We will work quickly to create and ship your order as soon as possible, whilst still preserving quality - delivery times are 5-8 working days.
How much does shipping cost?
Standard shipping within the UK is included in the price.
Can I include a gift message?
Yes — at checkout you can choose to add a dedication inside the book. It makes a lovely finishing touch for birthdays, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Where are your products manufactured?
Our books are created and printed in the UK.