Make their book
Valentine’s Day

Funny Valentine’s gifts

A Valentine’s gift with their name on the cover and their likeness in the illustrations. One photo, a few true things, and they’re the star of a printed picture book for adults.

Chocolates run out. This gets shelved at eye level, where their friends will find it.

Make their book

Two hands hold out an upside-down heart-shaped box of chocolates; one chocolate waves a tiny hand

The book to blame

See every book

A sample spread

WAKE UP! Steve in his kitchen before dawn, holding a log beside the wood stove.

Every morning, Steve wakes up with wood.

It is there before the coffee is.

It is there before the sun is.

Steve says it is the best part of the morning.

Steve Has Morning Wood, pages 4–5. Finished art, printed as drawn.

How it works

  1. A hand drops a printed photo into the slop machine’s hopper.

    Feed it one photo.

  2. The slop machine shakes and steams, rivets popping off.

    It does its thing.

  3. A finished picture book pops out of the slop machine’s chute.

    A real book comes out.

The whole process

Questions

What’s a funny Valentine’s gift for him or her?

A book with their name on the cover and their likeness in the illustrations. One photo, a few true things, and they’re the star of a printed picture book for adults.

Is it romantic enough?

It’s funny first. The sign-off under the dedication is yours, printed exactly as you type it, and that’s where the romantic part goes.

Too risky for a new relationship?

Possibly. These are written to be laughed at by someone who knows you well enough to laugh, and you’re the one who knows how new it is.

How does it work, and what do you need from me?

You pick the book, send one clear photo of them and a few true things about them. We write and illustrate the book from that. You must confirm they’re an adult (18 or older), they’re willing to star in a gag book, and you have permission to share their photo.

Will it arrive in time?

We print and bind the book after you order it, so it isn’t instant — and we won’t promise a date here that we can’t keep for your address. Order with room to spare. If the day is close, write to hello@hellosorry.com first and we’ll tell you honestly whether it can make it.

Who it’s for

A hand holds out a single red rose wrapped in a gas-station receipt, its price sticker still on; the other hand keeps hold of a game controller

Boyfriend

He’ll say he hates it. He’ll also keep it where people can see it.

Two arms carry every grocery bag at once, more than a dozen of them hanging from the wrists and forearms

Husband

He has everything he needs and nothing he wants. This is neither.

A hand reaches into a handbag packed with a first-aid kit, a sewing kit, a stapler, an umbrella, a flashlight, a potted plant and snacks, and pulls out one bandage

Wife

Her face, drawn correctly. Her hands, a separate matter.

More occasions

All occasions

Somebody you love deserves this. We’re so sorry.

One photo. One real book. A lifetime of them bringing it up at dinner.

Make their book

From $19.99 · Character redraws: free, up to six a day · Digital copy with every printed book