Paperback or Hardcover? Choosing Your Personalized Book

In short: Choose the hardcover ($44.90) if the book is a keepsake, a gift from grandparents, or for a child under five who handles books roughly. Choose the paperback ($34.90) for everyday reading or a tighter budget. The story, the illustrations and your child's name are exactly the same in both; shipping within the US is free either way.

Paperback vs hardcover at a glance

	Paperback	Hardcover
Price	$34.90	$44.90
Story and illustrations	Identical	Identical
Cover	Flexible soft cover	Rigid hard cover
Durability	Good for careful readers	Best for little hands and years of reading
Best for	Everyday reading, second copy, budget	Keepsake, gift from grandparents, Christmas
Shipping	Free within the US	Free within the US

When the hardcover is worth the extra $10

• It's a keepsake. With a dedication on the first page, it's the book that stays on the shelf for years.
• Your child is 3 or 4. Hard covers survive being carried around, dropped and read every night.
• It's a gift from grandparents or godparents that should last.

When the paperback is the smart choice

• Everyday reading for a careful 5- to 7-year-old.
• Two books for siblings: two paperbacks with 25% off the second come to $60.58.
• A second copy – one for home, one for Grandma's house.

And the e-book?

The e-book ($12.99) is a PDF sent by email – no shipping. Many families add it to a printed book for $7.99, so the story can be read on a tablet while the print copy is on its way. See e-book or printed book?

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Questions parents ask

Should I get a paperback or hardcover personalized book?

Hardcover ($44.90) for a keepsake, a gift or a young child; paperback ($34.90) for everyday reading or a smaller budget. The content is identical.

Is the hardcover a different book?

No. Story, illustrations, name and dedication are the same – only the cover is different.

Is shipping free for both?

Yes, standard shipping within the US is free for paperback and hardcover.