Wonderbly has been the default answer to "personalised children's book" for years — and for good reason. Their books are beautifully illustrated, the name personalisation is seamless, and their range is wide. If you've ever bought a child a book where their name appears in the story, there's a reasonable chance it was a Wonderbly. They set the standard for the category.
Magic Moon takes a different approach. Rather than weaving a child's name into an existing story, Magic Moon draws your child's actual face — from an uploaded photo — as the illustrated character. The book is also a colouring book throughout, so children don't just read it once: they colour it, re-colour it, and engage with it the way they would a craft activity. It's a fundamentally different product, even though both are sold as "personalised books." This guide breaks down exactly what that difference means for you as a buyer.
Bottom line
Magic Moon and Wonderbly are both quality personalised book brands — but they do very different things. Magic Moon creates a character that genuinely looks like your child (from an uploaded photo) and includes colouring pages throughout, starting from £18.99 with free standard shipping included. Wonderbly personalises by name only, is read-only, and starts from £24.99 plus shipping. If you want depth of personalisation and an interactive experience, Magic Moon is the stronger choice. If you want the widest title selection from an established brand, Wonderbly delivers that well.
Quick comparison
The key differences at a glance.
| Feature | Magic MoonUs | Wonderbly |
|---|---|---|
| Uses uploaded photos | Yes — draws your child's real likeness | No — name personalisation only |
| Personalised likeness | Full character illustrated from photo | Name woven into the story |
| Colouring pages | Yes — every page | No |
| Story included | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple characters | Yes — siblings and friends | Limited |
| Delivery | Printed to order | Printed to order |
| Best for | Creative, interactive gifting | Classic personalised storybook |
| Price | From £18.99 (free shipping) | From £24.99 + shipping |
Who each book is best for
Choose Magic Moon if…
- You want a real likeness — your child's actual face illustrated from a photo
- You want your child to colour and interact with the book, not just read it
- You'd like siblings or friends to appear as characters too
- You're looking for a gift they'll return to again and again
- You want something that feels genuinely unique, not just personalised by name
Choose Wonderbly if…
- You prefer a traditional illustrated storybook format
- You value Wonderbly's well-known brand and wide title selection
- Your child is very young and you want something to read aloud without colouring
- You want a book that's more about the story than the artwork personalisation
- You're happy with name-based personalisation rather than a photo likeness
See the difference
Magic Moon books are illustrated from a photo of your child — creating a genuine likeness, not a generic character.
Magic Moon
Character illustrated from your uploaded photo. Every page is a colouring page. Siblings and friends can appear too.
Wonderbly
Beautifully illustrated scenes with a character matching chosen traits (hair, skin tone). Story text personalised with child’s name. Read-only format — not designed to be coloured.
Wonderbly books use professionally illustrated artwork. Character traits (hair colour, skin tone) are chosen from options — not drawn from a photo.
What makes Magic Moon different
A real likeness, not a placeholder
When you upload a photo, our illustrators create a character that genuinely looks like your child — not a generic character with their name added. The result feels personal in a way that name-only personalisation doesn't.
Colouring and story combined
Magic Moon books aren't read once and put on a shelf. Every page is a colouring page, meaning children come back to them — colouring the same page again differently, or showing their version to family members.
Siblings and friends can appear too
Magic Moon supports multiple characters from multiple photos. A book can feature your child alongside a sibling, a best friend, or a parent. This makes it genuinely unique — and much more meaningful as a gift.
A gift they treasure, not just receive
The combination of seeing themselves, being part of an adventure, and having something to colour means children form a genuine attachment to Magic Moon books. They keep them, re-read them, and show them to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wonderbly use uploaded photos?
No. Wonderbly personalises books using your child's name, and in some titles their appearance (hair colour, skin tone) via a set of options. They do not create a likeness drawn from an uploaded photo. Magic Moon draws your child's actual face and features from a photo you upload.
Are Magic Moon books colouring books?
Yes — Magic Moon books combine a personalised story with colouring pages throughout. Every spread is designed to be coloured in by your child, using a character that looks like them. Wonderbly books are read-only storybooks.
Which personalised book is best for a 5-year-old?
At age 5, children are often starting to colour with intent and love seeing themselves in stories. Magic Moon works well at this age because the colouring keeps them engaged beyond the first read. Wonderbly also suits 5-year-olds if you want a classic read-aloud gift.
Can multiple children appear in one personalised book?
Yes — Magic Moon can include siblings, friends or family members as additional characters, illustrated from their photos. Wonderbly has limited support for multiple characters depending on the title.
Are Magic Moon books good gifts?
Magic Moon books are designed as keepsake gifts. The combination of a personalised illustrated character (from a real photo), a story, and colouring pages means children tend to return to them repeatedly. Many parents report their children sleep with the book or re-colour pages.
What is the price difference between Magic Moon and Wonderbly?
Magic Moon books start from £18.99 with free standard shipping included. Wonderbly books start from £24.99, with shipping charged separately on top. Magic Moon also offers significantly deeper personalisation: a photo-based character illustration rather than name-only, plus colouring pages throughout.
Which is better for a birthday gift — Magic Moon or Wonderbly?
Both work well as birthday gifts, but they land differently. Magic Moon feels more bespoke — the child sees themselves in the illustrations — and the colouring element means they engage with it long after their birthday. Wonderbly has a wider range of themes and titles, which can help if you're matching a specific interest. For a child who loves colouring, Magic Moon is the stronger birthday gift.
How long does Magic Moon take to deliver compared to Wonderbly?
Both Magic Moon and Wonderbly print books to order, so delivery timescales are similar. Each offers standard and expedited options. Check the checkout for current estimated delivery dates — both brands aim to deliver within a few working days on standard delivery.