a book for when your child has to go to hospital
a hospital stay, a procedure, or a few nights sleeping over: that’s a lot when you’re small. make a book in which your child sees themselves go to hospital — with the little suitcase, the favourite cuddly toy, and mum or dad right there. seeing beforehand what’s going to happen gives a child something to hold on to, and it gives you something to talk about together in the weeks before.
building it is free — you only pay when you order.
your photos
your book
made with fonkle
really made with fonkle — click a book and flip through it.
from photo to book
every drawing starts with a real photo
we draw your own moments — the photo on the left, the page it became on the right.
why a fonkle book
- your child sees themselves go to hospital in the story — so the unknown becomes a little familiar
- made from your own photos: at home, packing the little suitcase, the cuddly toy that gets to come
- something to talk about together, at your own pace and in your own words
- a keepsake afterwards: look, you did this
how it works
- 1
pick your photos
a few clear photos of your child, and of whoever else should be in it.
- 2
we make the story
we write a personal story and draw the illustrations in the style you choose.
- 3
review and order
you page through the whole book in the preview and only order the hardcover once you're happy.
frequently asked
does a book take the fear away?
we don’t promise that — a hospital stay stays scary, for your child and for you. what a book does do: seeing beforehand what’s going to happen gives something to hold on to, and a story in which your child goes to hospital themselves gives you something concrete to talk about together.
how else can I prepare my child?
ask the hospital for advice. many hospitals have play specialists who prepare children for a stay or procedure, matched to exactly what’s going to happen. this book is a companion to that, not a replacement.
which photos do I use, and do I need to share medical details?
ordinary photos of your child are enough, three is already plenty. if you have photos of the preparations — the suitcase, the cuddly toy that gets to come, a familiarisation visit — they fit in nicely. medical details aren’t needed: you tell us in everyday words what’s going to happen, and we keep the story light and warm.
can we make a book after the stay as well?
yes, that’s lovely too. then it becomes a keepsake: look, you did this. with photos of the hospital bed, the visitors and coming home, it becomes a story about how brave your child was — to read back together many times.
more ideas
- turn your holiday photos into a storybook
- a book about the first day of school
- a book about your move
- a book about saying goodbye to the dummy
- make a personalised children’s book from your photos
- make a book with your own photos and words — a real children’s book
for every occasion
- a personal book as a new baby gift — for a boy or a girl
- a book about the first year, for the first birthday
- a book for grandma and grandad, starring their grandchild
- a birthday gift that lasts: a book about the birthday child
- a sinterklaas gift: a book starring your child
- a personal christmas gift: your year as a storybook
- a book for the big brother or sister, when the baby comes
- a book as a goodbye gift for a teacher or the nursery
- swimming diploma earned: a book about that proud day
- a personal book as a first communion gift
- a personal book as a christening gift
- a mother’s day gift from the child: a book about mum
- a father’s day gift: the book of adventures with dad