Last updated September 23, 2026
A first birthday book for the year that flew by.
Their first year, illustrated from your real memories — don't let it disappear into your camera roll.
A Whimbel first birthday book turns your baby's real first-year memories into a beautifully illustrated hardcover keepsake — created from just one photo and the moments you never want to forget.
What makes a personalized first birthday book different
The first smile. The first laugh. The wobbly first steps. You swore you'd remember every detail — but the truth is, the little moments fade fastest. A Whimbel first birthday book captures the story of their entire first year as a beautifully illustrated keepsake.
- Captures milestones, firsts, and everyday magic from their first year
- Illustrations that actually look like your baby — from just one photo
- A bedtime story about them that they'll ask for every single night
- Premium casewrap hardcover — built to last a lifetime
Why it matters
One year from now, will you remember the sound of their first giggle? The face they made trying avocado? Put it in a book — before it becomes just another photo.
Learn more: Zero to Three — Age-Based Development Tips
$7.99 to preview. $44.99 for the hardcover — preview deposit deducted.
Free shipping to the US, Canada, UK & most of Europe. Other countries: see shipping costs
Frequently asked questions
How many photos do I need for a first birthday book?
Just one! We create consistent illustrations of your baby across every page from a single photo. You can also add family members.
What kind of memories can I include?
Any moment from their first year — first smile, first steps, first foods, a funny bath-time moment, or even the chaos of their birthday party. You share the memory, we turn it into a story.
How long does it take to receive the book?
Your digital preview is ready in about 10 minutes. Most printed hardcovers arrive within about two weeks of ordering in the US, Canada, the UK and the EU, and at the latest 15 business days after the order; farther destinations take longer, and whimbel.com/shipping shows the estimate for your country.
Related reading
First Birthday Gift Ideas: What a One-Year-Old Actually Uses
Chosen against what a one-year-old is actually doing, using the AAP's own toy guidance — and with no invented average spend.
Baby Milestones Month by Month, and When Screening Actually Happens
The WHO ranges rather than single ages, plus the AAP screening schedule.
When Do Babies Start Walking? The WHO Window, Read Properly
8.2 to 17.6 months, read from the WHO's own table.