Frequently asked questions
If you don't see your question here, email hello@drbabbysbooks.com and we'll get back to you.
What is a social story, and why do they help?
A social story is a short, structured narrative that walks a child through a situation, what to expect, and how they can respond. They were developed for children with autism but are now widely used for any child working on emotional regulation, transitions, new experiences, or hard moments. The research is solid — when kids see themselves succeed in a story, they build the script for doing it in real life.
Who writes the book?
Dr. Babby writes every book personally. She is a licensed child psychologist in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and a board-certified behavior analyst. She holds a doctorate in Child, Family, and School Psychology from the University of Denver. No ghostwriters, no AI — just Dr. Babby.
How is this different from other personalized children's books?
Most personalized children's books swap in a name and a hair color. A Dr. Babby's Book is built around your child's actual situation — the morning routine that's falling apart, the new baby on the way, the grandparent who passed, the classroom transition that's hard. It's written by a child psychologist at your child's reading level. There isn't really a comparable product on the market.
What age range is this for?
The sweet spot is roughly ages three through eight, but Dr. Babby adjusts vocabulary, sentence length, and concept complexity to your specific child. If you're unsure where your child lands, just tell us on the questionnaire — Dr. Babby will calibrate.
Do I need photos of my child?
No. Photos are optional and many families don't send any — the illustrations work beautifully on their own. If you do send photos, Dr. Babby and Anna can incorporate them into the artwork to make the book feel even more personal.
What if my child's situation isn't on the categories list?
Reach out anyway. The categories are the most common requests, not a closed list. If your child is navigating it, Dr. Babby can almost certainly write a book for it.
How does the call work?
It's a 30-minute Zoom call with Dr. Babby. She reads your questionnaire beforehand, so the call is for nuance — your child's voice, the specific moment the book needs to address, what you want them to walk away with. You don't need to prepare anything beyond filling out the questionnaire.
How is the book delivered?
Once Dr. Babby finishes writing, Anna formats the book in Canva and sends it to Lulu, our print-on-demand partner. Lulu prints a softcover copy and ships it directly to your home. Total turnaround from call to doorstep is two to three weeks.
What does it cost?
Books are $250 right now, while we're building a portfolio and gathering reviews. That covers the consult, the writing, the design, the print copy, and shipping. Pricing will rise as the waitlist grows — your $250 today is the lowest it will ever be.
How does payment work?
We send a Venmo Business request for $250 right after you book. Paying confirms your spot. No credit card forms, no platform fees passed to you.
Will you use my child's name or photograph in marketing?
Never without your explicit written consent. The questionnaire asks once, in plain language, whether you'd be willing to let us share a photo of your child with their book on Instagram. The default is no. If you opt in, we use a first name only, never a last name.
What if I need to reschedule or cancel?
Cancellations 24 or more hours before the consult get a full Venmo refund. After that, the deposit is non-refundable, but we'll happily reschedule once at no charge.