When it comes to choosing gifts for children, books are probably not at the top of your list. But what about if it was a really special book, a personalised one. No, I don’t mean one that simply has a few words scribbled as a dedication inside the front cover, but one that truly personalises it by weaving the recipient’s name and avatar likeness into the story itself – their name and image appearing on every page as an integral part of the adventure. Over the past few years, personalised books have grown in popularity, offering a thoughtful and memorable way to celebrate individuality. They are fantastic keepsakes that go beyond the ordinary, creating a reading experience that feels tailor-made. After all, who wouldn’t delight in seeing themselves as a character in a story? That’s exactly what Two Worlds delivers with its range of personalised titles, and for this review I selected All the Hats, written by Laura Caputo-Wickham and illustrated by Luminita Dumitrache.
Firstly, a few words about Two Worlds. They offer a selection of personalised books that are suitable for children and adults with topics for couples, young footballers and even featuring your pets. The books can be printed in multiple languages, including English (UK and US), French and German, although the language availability varies by title. Each book can be customised with the recipient’s name, gender and avatar likeness, and there’s also the option to include a personal dedication of up to 300 characters on the inside cover. And in All the Hats, you can even add the names of five friends or family members, which appear on presents under the Christmas tree. Once you have placed your order, delivery typically takes between six and ten days depending on the shipping option you have chosen (all of which are tracked), making the process straightforward and efficient.
Now for the book itself: the book is designed for children up to eight years old with a story built around a wonderfully imaginative concept: the different “hats” we wear in life. Each one of these hats serves as a metaphor for roles, responsibilities and adventures, all which encourage children to think about identity and self-expression in a playful yet meaningful way. With ten different hats to try on; from artist to pirate (and even one about Santa), the story invites young page turners to picture themselves in different scenarios. Each scene highlights a new skill or lesson, such as kindness or exploration, reinforcing the idea that trying new things helps us grow. With the story written in rhyming text, it adds a lyrical rhythm that makes it engaging to read aloud, while the lively illustrations bring each scenario vividly to life in a riot of colour.
What sets this book apart from other personalised books you may have come across is that it is more than a story, it has an emphasis on empowerment. Rather than simply inserting a child’s name into a generic storyline, it has a story that builds around themes of growth, imagination and self-esteem. It is also an excellent conversation starter allowing discussion about the different roles that children might want to explore as they grow older, making it not only entertaining but also educational. And as the recipient can see themselves as the main character, it can also help young page turners feel connected to the story and, by extension, to the world of books.
As it is a customised book, obviously there is some input required before purchasing. This process is simple, intuitive and only takes a few minutes. Once you click that Get Started button there are clear, straightforward prompts where you can add the child’s name, select their gender, add names of five people that will also feature in the book and adjust the avatar to resemble them. This avatar becomes the star of the book, appearing in every scene and making the story feel truly personal. The result is a book that feels like it belongs uniquely to the child, a story they can treasure as their own.
With the customisation complete, you just need to decide on the format: soft of hard cover. All the Hats is available in softcover for £22.99 and hardcover for £26.99. While initially the price may seem high for a 32-page book, the quality and personalisation justifies the cost. The pages are thick and durable, the printing is bold and the illustrations are vivid, full of colour and plenty of charm. Every page, including the front cover, is customised with the child’s name and avatar, making the book feel professional and unique. Delivery costs are additional, with standard tracked at £3.49, express tracked at £4.49 and premium tracked at £5.99. If you order two or more books, standard delivery is free and express is reduced to £1. I opted for express delivery, which was estimated at eight days but it arrived in just five – a pleasant surprise.
As it is a book about “hats”, with my reviewer’s hat firmly on, I can say that All the Hats is a delightful and unique gift for Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasion. It not only does an excellent job of entertaining its young readers with its playful rhymes and colourful illustrations, it also educates them by introducing different roles while empowering them by placing them at the centre of the story. While it may not be the cheapest option, it offers something far more meaningful than a toy or gadget: a personalised keepsake that children will cherish long after other gifts have been forgotten. For parents, grandparents or anyone else looking for a unique and thoughtful gift, that something that is a bit different, or maybe something just to help inspire a love of reading, All the Hats from Two Worlds is a truly memorable choice, one that won’t be forgotten about quickly.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: from £22.99
For more information or to personalise and buy, visit twoworlds.co.