Last updated October 1, 2026
Whimbel vs. Hooray Heroes
A character you design, or one drawn from your photo.
Hooray Heroes places characters you design into pre-written stories. Whimbel writes and illustrates a new storybook from your real memory and one photo of each person. Here's a side-by-side comparison.
Hooray Heroes has made personalized books since 2013 and says it has sold over 3 million. You design each character in its Hero Palette personalizer, then choose which pre-written stories appear and in what order; its books are written and drawn by its own team. Whimbel takes a different approach: you share a real memory and your own photos, and we create a new illustrated storybook where the characters look like your family.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Whimbel hardcover: Free shipping to the US, Canada, UK & most of Europe. Other countries: see shipping costs
What this page says about Hooray Heroes was checked on October 1, 2026 against: Hooray Heroes home page, FAQ, How our books are created. Their prices may have changed since.
The verdict
Hooray Heroes makes polished, detailed books where children see a character designed to look like them, for a wide range of occasions. Whimbel is for families who want to keep a real moment — the way it actually happened, with characters drawn from their own photos.
Ready to preserve your moment?
$7.99 to preview your book. $44.99 for the hardcover — preview deposit deducted.
Free shipping to the US, Canada, UK & most of Europe. Other countries: see shipping costs
Create Your BookFrequently asked questions
Does Hooray Heroes use real photos?
No. Its FAQ says there is no need to send pictures: you design each character in its personalizer instead. Whimbel draws each character from a photo of that person.
Can I tell my own story on Hooray Heroes?
Its stories are written in advance: you choose which appear, the order, and a dedication. With Whimbel, you share your actual memory and we write and illustrate an original story from it.
Which has better illustrations?
Different styles for different purposes. Hooray Heroes books are drawn by its own illustrators in one consistent style. Whimbel's are watercolor illustrations made for each book, in the look of a classic children's book.
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