They're retiring: their life, made into a story
For the day they retire. Tell us their story, from childhood to their last day at work, and we turn it into an illustrated picture book with their face, to read with their grandchildren.
Printed book from £47.90 with free delivery · Order today, get it around …
This story's about a grandma whose laugh rings like a bell. Everyone calls her Ababa… though she's really Ana Isabel!
At sixteen, by the Málaga sea, young José came along; they rode his scooter to the beach and love became their song.
When Ana grew up she chose to be a midwife, kind and true: she welcomed babies to the world, a thousand, maybe two!
At Ababa and Abu's house there's never time to frown: balloons are hanging from the roof and costumes all around!
Where Ababa is, there's laughter, there are games and so much fun. Because joy is catching, you see… and she shares it with everyone!
A retirement gift that's truly different
A whole life
Their childhood, their first job, their stories: everything they've done, told with love.
For their next chapter
Now they'll have time to read it to the grandchildren again and again.
From everyone
The family shares memories and you give them something no shop sells.
Like a herd: step by step, together
You tell us
About 15 minutes, typing or dictating. Pause and come back any time.
See it before you pay
Read the full story and see your family illustrated. If you love it, we carry on.
It arrives home
We illustrate the whole book, you check every page and we print it. PDF included.
Whose story is it?
pages from a real story: Ababa, from Málaga
Their own story, for a birthday or a retirement.
A gift from all the nieces and nephews on a big birthday.
How their parents met, told for them.
To remember someone who is no longer here.
Your family's roots, so nobody forgets them.
Made by people, helped by technology
Checked page by page
Every illustration is checked before you see it, and nothing goes to print without your approval.
Your photos, protected
Used only to draw your family and deleted once you approve the characters.
See it before you pay
The full story and your family illustrated. Unlimited text changes and up to two corrections per character.
A template book
- The same story for everyone
- Swap the name and the hair colour
- A generic character
A My Elephant Tales story
- Written from your real memories
- Your whole family, drawn from their photos
- Every page checked before printing
Choose how to keep it
The keepsake edition. PDF included.
Printed on 170 gsm silk paper. PDF included.
A PDF to read and share with the family.
Extra copies for grandparents or aunts and uncles: £21.90.
Don't know all their memories? Give the experience
With a gift card, the family does the interview whenever they like. It arrives by email instantly, perfect for last-minute gifts.
Retirement gift ideas: something they don't have
Retirement gifts tend to look alike: a watch, a trip, a plaque. A story of their life is something else: where they come from, what they've given their life to and what comes next, told so their grandchildren understand it.
It works for a dad or mum, a grandparent or an aunt. The chat guides you with simple questions and you can stop and carry on another day; each relative can add their own memories.
Before paying you read the full story and see every character illustrated. Then the printed book arrives at your door, in time for the send-off.
Questions
Can work colleagues give it?
Yes, although the story works best with memories from their whole life, not just work. Ideally someone from their family helps you with the chat.
What if they retire in a few days?
You'll see the exact delivery date before paying. If it won't arrive in time, give them a gift card and make the story afterwards, with their help.
When will it arrive?
About 12 days from when you start. You'll see the exact delivery date before paying, and the PDF is ready as soon as you approve the book.
What if I don't like it?
Before paying you read the full story and see your family illustrated. Unlimited text changes and up to two corrections per character. If something in the final book isn't right, we redo it for free.
Do you use AI?
Yes, as a tool to write and illustrate. Every page goes through an automatic check, you review and approve the whole book, and we check it before it goes to print.
What do you do with the photos?
They're only used to draw your family. We delete them as soon as you approve the characters.
Which languages?
The website is in English and Spanish. Your story can be written in the language your family speaks.
“For María, Mica and Vega, who once called their grandma Ababa, and the name stayed forever.”Dedication from our first bookCreate their retirement story