What can a story be about?
A trip to the aquarium. Building a tower that keeps falling over. A small person steering a very important cardboard dragon. You can start with something that happened, or invent a gentle adventure together.
Books can include an optional everyday theme, such as taking turns or being kind. They are stories to read together, with room for your own conversation. Our story ideas and six writing prompts offer starting points.
What do you get?
A picture book with a cover, illustrated story pages and read-aloud narration. In your family account, you can return to completed books, make changes within your allowance, download a printable PDF, or choose to share a read-only link.
New books take a few minutes to make. Reading a completed book again does not use another new-book allowance. Current access and allowances explains what is included today.
Do we need photos?
No. A written description is enough. If you choose to add photos, clear face photos on a family profile help with the characters, while photos of a day help provide the setting. See how the photo option works.
Where can we use it?
The free stories work in a phone, tablet or computer browser. Invited families can use the web app to make and keep their own books. The native iPhone app is in private TestFlight testing; the native Mac app is in development. See current app availability.
Books include narration. Hands-free voice control and animated pages are not available to early-access families.
Who is it for, and who makes it?
Once Upon Us is made by Mind On Fire LLC for adults to use with children. A child does not need an account. Review a new AI-made book before reading it together, and share only the family information you are comfortable providing. Our parent safety guide and privacy policy explain the details.
Read why we are building it, follow the product updates, or start with the first-book walkthrough.