Big Kid incoming!The adventure of becoming the biggest hero of all: big brother or big sister.

Both. Before the birth, it's an anticipation book that helps the older child picture what's coming and understand what's about to change. After the birth, it gives them back their role as the big one — at a moment when they may feel overlooked by all the attention on the baby. Most parents order in the weeks leading up to the due date.

Not necessarily. The book works in either "big brother" or "big sister" mode, depending on what you choose at checkout. If you don't know the sex yet, you can wait until your 20-week scan — or order a neutral version where the baby is simply "the little one." Get in touch if you'd like to explore that option.

Not at all. There's an ages 6–8 version with a more mature tone that explores what it means to be the eldest, how the bond evolves over time, the arguments and the closeness. Rather than a transition, the book becomes a celebration of the sibling relationship you've already built.

Yes, a 9–12 age version is available. The tone shifts: less focused on the raw jealousy of a young child, and more on the pride of becoming a big brother or sister, the sense of responsibility, and the bond that builds with time. The story remains honest about the mixed feelings that come with this transition, but speaks to a child who already has a real sense of what this role means.

Our express delivery takes 7 days within mainland UK — the safe option if you need the book by a specific date. Standard delivery takes 10 to 15 working days when there's no rush. In a real hurry? The digital version (PDF) is ready within 24 hours of your order being confirmed. For international deliveries, allow extra time depending on the destination. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships. Any questions? Drop us a line at hello@realbigstories.com.

The book is A4 landscape format (29.7 × 21 cm when closed) — perfect for reading together side by side or laying flat on a table. The standard version has 10 illustrated chapters, plus an introduction and conclusion, coming to around 28 pages in total. The long version is nearly twice that, with 20 chapters and roughly 48 pages. Each chapter features a full-page illustration paired with text tailored to your child's age.

Printed on thick, premium matte paper. The hardcover is sturdy and the same high quality across all age ranges. The binding is sewn and glued to last — this is a book built to be read a hundred times, not to gather dust at the back of a drawer.

Yes — as long as your book hasn't gone to print yet, which is usually within the first few hours after ordering. Get in touch as quickly as possible at hello@realbigstories.com with your order number and the change you need (a misspelled name, a photo to swap, a character to adjust). Once printing has started, we're unable to make any further changes.

If something isn't right — a printing defect, a quality issue, or an illustration that doesn't look like your child — contact us as soon as possible after receiving your order at hello@realbigstories.com. We'll either reprint or give you a full refund, no questions asked. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, we make it right.

Yes — your photos are only used to create the book. They're never shared, never used for anything else, and they're deleted from our servers on request. All our providers (payment, hosting, printing) are GDPR compliant.

Far beyond just the name. Your child's face is illustrated from your photos, and appears on every page. You also choose the story world, the plot, the characters around them (family, friends, pet) and the little details of appearance. The book stays fully editable until you approve the preview: you read through the text, request any changes, and printing only starts once you're happy.