Our Class Loves You

A story about making friends, rewritten for your child

Every page is redrawn around the child you make it for. Keep the story’s own hero and give them your child’s name, or choose someone new — it takes a minute, and nothing is locked in.

From$34.99 USD

Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.

  • 26 pages, hardcover
  • 5.9 × 5.9 in
  • Ages 5-7
  • Premium, thick pages
  • Free standard shipping included
  • Printed & delivered in 2-3 weeks (US)

Start with the story’s own hero or pick from our cast — then give them your child’s name.

A personalized classroom welcome story that helps new students feel instantly loved and accepted.

That’s the story. The rest is how it becomes your child’s.

How personalization works

Who is this story about?

Keep the story’s own hero

The hero is already written and drawn for this book. Give them your child’s name if you like — that’s the whole edit.

Or swap in one of our cast

Eight characters to start from, and you rename whoever you pick.

  • Luna
    Luna
  • Theo
    Theo
  • Mateo
    Mateo
  • Sofia
    Sofia
  • Amara
    Amara
  • Layla
    Layla
  • Mei
    Mei
  • Ravi
    Ravi

Or make your own

Describe them in a sentence, or add a photo to guide the likeness. Either way, entirely optional.

The characters are just the start.

Every part of this book is yours to change. Not a name dropped into a template — the whole thing is redrawn around the child you’re making it for.

  • Every illustrationAll 26 pages are drawn fresh, not stamped with a face.
  • The rooms and placesYour child's actual bedroom, your street, the places the story visits.
  • The objects that recurThe specific blanket, the toy they won’t sleep without — carried page to page.
  • Everyone else in itSiblings, grandparents, the dog. Named and drawn as themselves.
  • The story itselfChange what happens, and the words on the page change with it.
  • Or change nothingPick a hero and read it tonight. The rest is there when you want it.

What's Inside This Book

Book cover

1 of 14 spreads

Every character, scene, and object in this book can be replaced with your own — your child's name, your family photos, your home, your school.

What you get

Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.

Start free

  • Free to start — no card needed
  • See your child in the story in minutes
  • Rename the hero and edit the story text
  • Choose a ready-made character, or add a photo later
  • Export a PDF of what you make

Your perfect keepsake

Hardcover book

  • Full-color hardcover, 15×15cm
  • Free standard shipping included
  • Printed & delivered in about 2-3 weeks (US)
  • Personalize names, story text & style
  • Add your own photos once you are in the editor

Quick summary of Our Class Loves You

A personalized classroom welcome story that instantly makes new students feel loved and accepted. Featuring their classmates and teacher, this heartwarming book celebrates friendship, kindness, and belonging—perfect for the first day of school or whenever a child joins a new class.

This personalized children's book follows Maya, a new student, as her classmates — Liam, Sofia, Noah, Amara, Kai, and Priya — each share a small, genuine reason they love her. Designed for ages 5–7, it turns first-day anxiety into belonging through the power of kind words.

Key Takeaways

  • Builds a sense of belonging through specific, authentic peer affirmations rather than generic praise
  • Models how small acts of noticing — a crayon choice, a slow page-turn — create real connection
  • Inspires children to become welcoming by showing Maya pay kindness forward on the final page
  • Eases first-day anxiety by framing the classroom as a place of warmth, not judgment
  • Strengthens empathy skills through diverse characters who each notice something uniquely true

Why This Book Works

Personalized books that center a child's name and likeness activate stronger emotional engagement than generic stories, according to a 2019 study by Dr. Caroline Moul at the University of Sydney. When Maya hears her name sung — 'Ma-ya, Ma-ya' — or sees her own classroom door, children listening make an immediate identity connection. That mirroring effect deepens comprehension and makes the story's message of belonging feel personally true, not abstract.

Psychologist Dr. John Gottman's research on emotion coaching shows that children need specific, observable validation — not broad praise — to build genuine self-worth. Each classmate in this story names something concrete: the blue crayon, the slow page-turns, the lunch table seat. This models exactly the kind of micro-affirmation that child development experts say helps kids feel truly seen, rather than simply told they're welcome.

The circular story structure — Maya arrives anxious, Maya leaves empowered, Maya then welcomes the next child — is a proven narrative device for building prosocial behavior in early readers. A 2022 review in the journal Early Childhood Education found that stories with protagonist-as-helper endings significantly increase children's intentions to act kindly toward peers. By making Maya the welcomer on the final page, the book transforms passive listeners into active participants in classroom kindness.

Common Misconceptions

Children adjust to new classrooms quickly on their own.

Research from the American Psychological Association shows transition anxiety in children ages 5–7 can persist for several weeks without active peer inclusion. Stories that model welcoming behavior meaningfully reduce that adjustment period.

Reading a book about belonging is too passive to make a real difference.

A 2021 University of Toronto study found bibliotherapy — using stories to address emotional challenges — produces measurable increases in prosocial behavior and empathy in children as young as five, especially when followed by parent-led conversation.

Personalized books are just a novelty, not genuinely educational.

Dr. Adriana Bus's longitudinal research at Leiden University found personalized storybooks produce significantly higher story engagement and vocabulary retention compared to standard picture books for children ages 4–8.

How to Read This Book with Your Child

Best time to read: Read 1–2 days before a first day or class transition, and again that evening after school to open conversation about what actually happened.

Ask your child: 'Have you ever been the new person somewhere? How did that feel?' If they're about to join a new class, say: 'This story is about someone just like you.' Let them hold the book and find their name before you begin — that first discovery moment matters.

Conversation Starters

  • What's one small thing you could notice and tell a new friend you love about them?
  • How do you think Maya felt when Amara sang her name — and why did that help?
  • If you were the child at the door on the last page, what would you want someone to say?

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this book personalized?

The book features your child's actual classmates' names, teacher's name, and classroom details. Each copy is customized before printing, making your child feel truly recognized and celebrated by their specific community.

Is this book only for the first day of school?

While perfect for first-day jitters, it's wonderful anytime a child joins a new class. Teachers also use it mid-year for new students or to build classroom community and emotional safety throughout the year.

What age is this book appropriate for?

Designed for ages 5-7 (kindergarten to second grade). The simple, warm text and focus on emotional connection makes it accessible for emerging readers while meaningful for early independent readers.

How does this help with anxiety about making friends?

By showing your child they're already valued and accepted before school starts, it reduces anxiety and builds confidence. Seeing classmates' names celebrated creates immediate connection and belonging.

Can teachers use this in the classroom?

Absolutely. Teachers love using it for new student integration, classroom community building, and social-emotional learning. It's a powerful tool for creating inclusive, welcoming classroom culture.

How long does personalization take?

Personalization timelines vary by publisher. Check the order page for estimated delivery times. Many allow 5-10 business days for custom printing before shipping.

A story about making friends, rewritten for your child

Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.