MJ KidsPersonalized bedtime stories: when your child is the hero of the story
Kids pay attention when they hear their own name. Here is how to use personalized stories at bedtime to teach routines, while keeping screen time in check.
A personalized bedtime story is a story where the hero has your child's name and looks like them. Studies of personalized books show that children talk more, smile more and engage more with reading when they recognize themselves in the story, which helps turn bedtime into a moment they look forward to.
At MJ Kids, the stories came after the game: if Junior loved being the hero of his video game, why not the hero of his stories too? Here I share how we use them, what the research says and how to do it while respecting screen time.
Why children pay attention when they hear their own name
A child's own name is one of the first sounds a baby recognizes. A classic study published in 1995 in Psychological Science showed that babies as young as four and a half months already prefer listening to their own name over similar-sounding names.
With books, researcher Natalia Kucirkova and colleagues observed that parents and children smile and laugh more when reading personalized books, and that children talk more during the reading than with their favorite book. In one study, printed personalized books were linked to more new words learned.
What an MJ Kids personalized story looks like
- 8 illustrated pages with a character that looks like your child.
- Narration with their name, in a calm voice, with the words lighting up as the voice reads.
- No skipping pages: the next page unlocks when the narration ends.
- You read it first: every story goes to the parents before it reaches the child.
- No ads, and it works offline after it opens the first time.
Junior's first one was about brushing his teeth, with a little game at the end where he wipes the tooth bugs away with his finger.
Themes that help with routines
Personalized stories work really well for things that are hard to explain. The themes parents ask for most:
| Situation | Story idea |
|---|---|
| Won't go to sleep | The hero discovers that dreams only start when the light goes off. |
| Brushing teeth | The toothbrush becomes a superpower against the tooth bugs. |
| Giving up the pacifier | The pacifier goes to help a baby who needs it more. |
| A new baby is coming | The hero gets the mission of being a big brother or sister. |
| First day of school | A day of adventure with new friends. |
| Afraid of the dark | The dark room keeps a friendly secret. |
A story on a screen before bed: how to do it right
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends turning screens off at least an hour before bedtime and keeping bedrooms screen-free at night. So the MJ Kids story shouldn't be the last thing of the night. Here is what we do at home:
- Put the story at the start of the routine, right after bath or dinner.
- Watch it together, with the screen brightness turned down.
- After listening, turn the screen off and talk about the story: what the hero did, how they felt.
- In bed, just the night light and conversation, or a paper book.
That way your child gets the best of both: the excitement of being the hero and a calm moment with you away from the screen. To learn more about limits, see the guide to ads in kids' games and what the rules say.
How to order your child's story
- Choose One Custom Story or a yearly plan with a new story every month on the main page.
- Tell us what your child looks like: skin tone, hair, glasses, favorite outfit. A photo is optional.
- Tell us the theme you want to teach.
- Within 24 hours of sending the details you get the link, read it first and then show your child.
If your child also loves to play, check out the personalized video game with their name.
Order a story where your child is the hero
MJ Kids makes narrated stories with your child's name and character, on the theme you choose.
- Narration with their name and illustrations with their character
- A theme made to measure: sleep, teeth, pacifier, school and more
- You read it first and can ask for changes
- No ads and works offline
Frequently asked questions
Is the story made with artificial intelligence?
We use artificial intelligence to help with the illustrations and the narration, and every story is reviewed by us. You also get it first to read and ask for changes.
Do I need to send a photo of my child?
No. Just tell us what they look like. If you send a photo, it is used only as a reference for the drawing and then deleted.
What age are the stories for?
Ages 2 to 8. The story is fully narrated, so it works for kids who can't read yet.
Can I ask for any theme?
Any theme that is right for a child: routines, feelings, health, family, school. We don't make stories with characters or brands from other companies.
Can you make a story with siblings together?
Yes. Just tell us in the notes on your order page or email [email protected].
Sources
Junior's dad and creator of MJ Kids. He has worked in technology for over 30 years and makes games and stories where the child is the hero, with no ads.
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