once upon a time photo book review

• Skip to main content
• Skip to main navigation
• Skip to search
• Skip to talk navigation

Advertisement

Product tests

Here's where users test and review products and give their feedback. If you'd like to run a product test please email [email protected] .

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Find out what MN testers thought of OnceUpon photo books

JustineBMumsnet · 25/09/2019 12:21

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnet users with children under 5 who have tested OnceUpon photo books. Here’s what OnceUpon has to say: “Once Upon is a new way to make photo books. Download the app, add your favourite photos, tell your best stories and watch as Once Upon instantly turns them into a designed book. With Once Upon, it’s easy to create your book filled with special moments – think messy spaghetti face or that time your 5 year old decided to give himself a haircut.” Testers , please give your feedback by answering the questions below:

• What did you like most about using the OnceUpon app?
• What was your book about?
• How do you like your first OnceUpon book?
• Did using OnceUpon inspire you to make more photo books? If so, what types of books do you have in mind?
• Did you try the collaboration feature? If yes, what are your thoughts on it?

What did you like most about using the OnceUpon app? I really liked how simple the design aspects were. Each page was easy to set up, and it was easy to move the photos about on the page. However it didn't over complicate things like other similar photo book providers- they can end up looking messy.

• What did you like most about using the OnceUpon app? I do not need to finish in one go and can come back to the project
• What was your book about? The most recent two years’ stories from every day life
• How do you like your first OnceUpon book? Love it
• Did using OnceUpon inspire you to make more photo books? If so, what types of books do you have in mind? Not yet but will be
• Did you try the collaboration feature? If yes, what are your thoughts on it? No
• What was your book about? My kids with their nana, She doesnt live in the Uk so it was great to choose the photos with my children as it brought many memories back

Newsletters you might like

Money Saver

Saving you time and money with Mumsnet exclusive deals and discounts. Find regular roundups of the hottest sales straight to your inbox.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

All the products Mumsnetters are raving about, the best buys as recommended by real parents straight to your inbox.

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What did you like most about using the OnceUpon app? I liked how easy it was to upload pictures and use on multiple devices, I used on my iPad and iPhone. I also liked how easy it was to arrange the pictures and move the pages up and down. What was your book about? My book was about my sonsfirst year. I was meaning to make a photo book of his first year and this gave me the opportunity to do it. How do you like your first OnceUpon book? I absolutely loved it, it was fab. I really enjoyed uploading all the pictures of my sons first year and was quite nostalgic for me looking back at the pictures and memories. The only thing that I would want to be added was to add text on the same page as the pictures, there was too much blank space on some of the pages with just text on them. Did using OnceUpon inspire you to make more photo books? If so what type of books do you have in mind? Yes and I would definitely use the same company as I was impressed with the finished product. I would like to create more books for my son as he gets older. Maybe a book about our adventures next time. Did you try the collaboration feature? If so what are your thoughts on it? No I didn't, I was very conscious on the time limit as I knew I had to do it quickly so I can post feedback, if I had more time I would definitely ask my husband and parents to get involved. Thank you giving me the opportunity to testing out this product I loved it.

What did you like most about using the OnceUpon app? Very easy to used and didn’t hav3 lots of options. Sle3k and simple

Hi! Here calling all Yoyo pushchairs owners. We finally decided to get one since we travel every three months on a plane. Do you know if a bugaboo all weather footmuff would fit on it? I really don't want to spend another £90 on one as I have two already! Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you!!! 😍😍🤩X

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Hardcover – May 21, 2024

• Print length 352 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Gallery Books
• Publication date May 21, 2024
• Dimensions 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1982178965
• ISBN-13 978-1982178963
• See all details

Products related to this item

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books (May 21, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982178965
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982178963
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• #13 in Women in History
• #33 in U.S. State & Local History
• #71 in Women's Biographies

Videos for this product

Click to play video

Once Upon a Time is about Kennedy

Geek Main Base

About the author

Elizabeth beller.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 55% 25% 11% 5% 4% 55%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 55% 25% 11% 5% 4% 25%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 55% 25% 11% 5% 4% 11%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 55% 25% 11% 5% 4% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 55% 25% 11% 5% 4% 4%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book captivating, well-researched, and well-written. They also describe the biography as enjoyable, savvy, and heartfelt. Readers also mention the book is fun to read and heartwarming.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book well researched, giving insights and high intelligence. They also say it's objective and very close to the truth.

"...They agree she was smart , hard working, highly intuitive about and compassionate towards the needs of others, generous, fun, and uniquely..." Read more

"...drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence ...." Read more

"I’m a huge CBK fan and I thought this book was well researched and well written. Definitely gave me a new perspective about her life...." Read more

"Finally a book that is well researched about Carolyn . I never believed the vitriol written about her. All those horrible stories written about her...." Read more

Customers find the writing style of the book fairly well written and easy to read. They also say it's worth reading, though it could use some improvements.

"...It's a good and credible read ." Read more

"I’m a huge CBK fan and I thought this book was well researched and well written . Definitely gave me a new perspective about her life...." Read more

"...death in a plane piloted by John - well-written and interesting and compassionate - all good." Read more

"I really like the author's style of writing ...." Read more

Customers find the book captivating, effervescent, and fun to read. They also describe the author as brilliant, happy, and sweet.

"...interviews with multiple sources, presents CBK as a smart, vivacious, happy , savvy woman who had a strong career in the fashion business - rapidly..." Read more

"...about and compassionate towards the needs of others, generous, fun , and uniquely beautiful...." Read more

"...It’s a sad book but does have its fair share of beautiful moments expressed so well by the author." Read more

"...-Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., are reexamined in this captivating and effervescent biography that is perfect for fans of My Travels with..." Read more

Customers find the biography enjoyable, engaging, and informative. They also say it's a good book about a smart, savvy, happy woman.

"...with multiple sources, presents CBK as a smart, vivacious, happy, savvy woman who had a strong career in the fashion business - rapidly rising at..." Read more

"This was a fascinating read . I really appreciate Carolyn’s friends telling more about her story. Their deaths are still such a tragedy...." Read more

"If you like anything related to the Kennedy’s then this is a perfect book ...." Read more

"...of John F. Kennedy Jr., are reexamined in this captivating and effervescent biography that is perfect for fans of My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, What..." Read more

Customers find the emotion in the book heartfelt and amazing.

"...They agree she was smart, hard working, highly intuitive about and compassionate towards the needs of others, generous, fun, and uniquely..." Read more

"...enjoyed this book and was left with such sadness for a beautiful light, kind and amazing friend and daughter that was taken much too soon...." Read more

"...The book gives the true picture of Carolyn’s personality as a kind, compassionate , energetic person - as revealed by the many quotes from colleagues..." Read more

Customers find the book's detail wonderful and unique.

"...This book also has A LOT of interesting detail , also previously unrevealed, about her career at Calvin Klein..." Read more

"...It covers the life of Carolyn Bassett in wonderful detail and goes to lengths to express just how misunderstood she was portrayed by the media...." Read more

"...This is a must read with great photos . Very compelling. I" Read more

" Very impressed with details in this book ." Read more

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• About Amazon
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell products on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon and COVID-19
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices

• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Travel Products
• Gift Guides

The 12 Best Travel Photo Book Makers of 2024

Create a forever keepsake and preserve your precious vacation memories with a photo book.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

You Might Also Want

• Tips for Choosing
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

The old cliché dictates that a picture is worth a thousand words, and certainly photos are one of the best souvenirs you can bring home when you travel. But, let’s be honest: how often do you really scroll back through your phone reel or revisit those online albums? A photo book is a much more tangible, attractive way to keep those memories safe and accessible forever. 

There are many photo book makers out there, all with slightly different offerings. Some specialize in simple, budget-friendly books that you can make for every trip while others excel at luxurious coffee table art books meant to commemorate once-in-a-lifetime adventures . We’ve researched the best options to help you choose the right photo book maker for your next vacation — and beyond.

Best Overall

Artifact uprising.

The gorgeous, high-quality products come in a range of styles and materials to suit all tastes and budgets. 

You won’t find themed layouts or same-day production here. 

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly softcover photo book to add to your travel collection or a premium layflat coffee table book to commemorate your destination wedding, Artifact Uprising has you covered. The company offers a full range of photo book sizes, shapes, and layouts including some more unusual options (board books for babies, for example, or Insta-friendly books designed especially for square images). Each book promises exceptional print quality and durable construction. 

You can customize every aspect of your photo book, although options vary depending on the product you choose. Examples include cover color and material (with possibilities including softcover, hardcover, linen, and leather), foil stamping, paper finish, the layout of your photos and text, and the page count. Most templates include 20 pages with an additional fee for each page thereafter. You won’t find colorful themes here; all products print on white paper for a clean, uncluttered look that puts your images front and center. 

For the most professional result possible, consider paying extra to collaborate with one of the company’s in-house design specialists. Production times vary from three to eight days depending on the complexity of your project. There are also four shipping options that range from standard to rush.

Best Budget

Their full range of customizable templates and colored backgrounds makes it easy to get the look you want. 

Expect additional fees for any project over 20 pages, upgraded paper, and finish choices. 

Although Snapfish also offers costlier products, their classic photo books are some of the most affordable out there. If you opt for a 7x5 or 6x8 softcover or hardcover book and stick to the included 20-page limit, you can easily spend under $20. Affordable upgrades include premium gloss pages and/or a matte cover; but bear in mind that extra pages can quickly add up. Making your photo book is simple. Choose the size and orientation, then design your own from scratch or use one of many premade templates.

Travel-themed templates include roadtrip, destination stamps, and tropical beach escape . After personalizing them with your photos and text. you can change the background color and add embellishments to each page. Optional layflat binding is worth the extra cost for seamless double-page spreads. If you find yourself with extra room in the budget, you can upgrade to a linen or leather cover. Production times vary, with the quickest delivery taking around three days with rushed shipping, but there are four total shipping options to cater to every budget.

Easiest to Use

Shutterfly’s in-house designers can create a photo book for you in 24 hours; all you have to do is provide your images. 

If you’re in a hurry, bear in mind that rush production and delivery is only available for certain products.

Most photo book makers require you to upload your images and then manually build each page or use an auto-uploader to add the pictures to a premade template. The first option is time consuming and the second often results in images being cropped or grouped in strange ways. Shutterfly offers a third option: upload your photos, then let an in-house designer create your book for you in 24 hours. Upon reviewing their design, you can order as-is or tweak it to suit your specifications. 

Best of all? This design service is offered free of charge. You can even use the Shutterfly app to upload photos directly from your phone. If you don’t want to use this service, no problem. You can still create photo books manually or use the faster autofill option. There are plenty of templates to choose from, with six square and rectangular size options and four cover types (softcover, matte or glossy hardcover, or premium leather). Production and delivery can take between one and 10 business days depending on the product and shipping option selected.

Best Themed Templates

Mixbook photo book.

With more than 700 themed templates to choose from, there’s an option for every kind of vacation. 

Not all templates offer the same number of free pages, so be sure to check before deciding. 

Mixbook photo books are divided into three main types: hardcover, softcover, and layflat for those seamless double-page spreads. Whichever you go for, there are more than 700 templates to choose from. These can be browsed by category with categories like year in review, seasonal, and, of course, templates for every major life event from weddings to baby’s first year. Travel-specific templates include options for photos only, or photos and text in a dizzying array of different layouts. 

Some are customizable to any trip while others are specific to certain adventures with themed graphics, text, and embellishments. There’s one for Disney trips , another for Royal Caribbean cruises, and another for national park adventures. You can also start with a completely blank canvas. Books can be landscape, portrait, or square and there are different paper and cover finishes to choose from. Production typically takes one to two business days with four shipping options available.

Best for Complex Designs

Canva photo books.

More than just a photo book maker, Canva lets you edit your photos and share your design with a team of collaborators. 

Some templates and features are only available with a paid Canva Pro account. 

For full creative freedom, choose Canva. Decide on a landscape or square book, then choose a hard or softcover. Next, browse thousands of templates (including a category dedicated to travel) and upload images from your phone, tablet, or desktop. All templates are fully customizable, which means you can change the font, the colors, and add icons and graphics. You can also edit your photos as you go with options to crop and rotate, adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, and enhance with different filters and frames. 

All layouts can be adjusted to suit the number of photos you want on each page. If you upgrade to Canva Pro, you can remove backgrounds with a single click (kind of like cutting and pasting elements of real photos for a traditional scrapbook.) Canva autosaves as you go and creates an editing link that you can share to ask for input from friends and family. Recycled packaging and free standard shipping round out this company’s benefits.

Best for Simple Designs

Chatbooks is affordable and easy to use with the option to subscribe for repeat orders. 

Customization options are limited.  

If your photo book goals are a little less ambitious, opt for stackable, collectible designs from Chatbooks. The company’s classic photo books offer high quality printing at a price tag that’s reasonable enough to justify regular creations (if you like, you can even sign up for a monthly subscription.) How do they do this? By keeping things simple. You won’t find fancy templates or colored backgrounds, or an endless array of customizable graphics and fonts.

Instead, upload photos from your desktop or phone. Then, decide how many you want to appear on each page. If the answer is just one, choose whether you want it to cover the full page or have a white border around it. You can leave the layout text-free or add a simple location tag and/or caption. Other design choices include the book’s size, whether it has a hard or softcover, the color of the spine, and the cover. Books are made in the U.S. and include a generous 30 pages, with the option to buy more up to a total of 366. Standard shipping is free.

Best for Fast Printing

Walmart photo.

Walmart lets you design, order, and collect your photo book in-store, all on the same day. 

Most photo books must be no more than 40 pages to be eligible for same-day pickup. 

Walmart offers a solution for anyone who’s designing a photo book on a deadline, with more than 80 layouts that can be created online and then picked up in-store on the same day. You can choose from a variety of square and rectangular sizes in several different styles including softcover, matte and glossy hardcover; layflat; and premium layflat (with extra thick pages and a matte finish). Alternatively, upgrade to a linen or leather cover, or opt for a die-cut style that showcases your favorite image through a window. 

There are many themed templates to choose from, though most of them are fairly basic (don’t expect Canva-level creative flair.) Most templates include 20 pages with the option to buy more, but be aware that there’s usually a 40-page limit if you want to pick your book up the same day. If you have a little more time to work with and want extra pages, you can also opt for home delivery with free shipping on orders over $35.

Best Coffee Table Books

Once upon photo books.

Once Upon focuses on simple layouts that can be shared with and edited by multiple people. 

Designs may be a little too basic for fans of complex templates and embellishments. 

Once Upon offers three options for simple yet visually striking coffee table books. These include large and medium hardcover photo books with a sturdy build and a title of your choice printed on the spine, and medium softcover books for a flexible, lightweight feel that’s reminiscent of a luxury magazine. Choose whether you want silk matte or glossy pages, then create your book by uploading pictures directly from your phone, tablet, or desktop. 

Layouts are simple, with no themed templates, background colors, or fancy fonts. Instead, choose the number of photos you want featured on each page and let Once Upon create a collage automatically on the white background. You can edit the order in which they appear and add simple captions or separate text pages. Want to collaborate with your co-travelers? Share the editing link or QR code to get their input. The first 20 pages are included with a maximum of 200 available. Expect delivery in six to 12 business days.

Best Board Books

Pinhole press.

From their wipeable pages to their easy-turn binding, board books from Pinhole Press are designed especially with little kids in mind. 

The number of included pages varies from one template to the next, and not all templates allow you to add more. 

If you love the idea of making a photo book for the baby or toddler in your life but want it to last more than a few hours, check out Pinhole Press. Their board books are made especially for little people with rigid, high-gloss pages that can be wiped clean of errant crumbs or juice drops. A spiral binding makes for seamless page turning, while the 5.25 x 5.25 inch size is ideal for tiny hands. We love the clear, bright photos and just-right text size. 

There are lots of different templates to choose from, including a story board book that’s perfect for commemorating baby’s first vacation. The company also offers educational templates (think ABCs, colors, emotions, count with me, and my first cookbook options). Some have space for a fixed number of pages and photos while others let you pay to add more. For slightly older kids, consider Pinhole’s Itty Bitty books (miniature sized for long journeys) or their All About books with space for 10 photos alongside fill-in prompts your child can write on.

Best Mini Books

Nations photo lab albums.

Buzz Books are cost-effective and require minimal storage space, making them the perfect collector’s item.

Beyond choosing which photo appears on each page, customization options are very limited. 

Nations Photo Lab offers a full range of photo book products including templates for everything from travel to weddings and boudoir photography. Depending which one you choose, you can customize the binding, cover material, page thickness, and more. We particularly like their Buzz Books for those in search of something simple. At 6 x 6 inches, they’re both small enough and affordable enough to justify purchasing one for every trip. 

There are more than 120 pre-designed, soft-touch covers to choose from (you can also create your own) but the inside of each Buzz Book is the same: 40 pages, with one photo per page. The photos are printed on professional-quality Mohawk Matte paper against a white background for full visual effect. There are multiple shipping options available, including USPS First Class which delivers in two to six business days.

Best Sustainable

Paper culture.

Paper Culture photo books are made with recycled paper and every order placed equals a tree planted.  

Shipping rates are relatively expensive. 

Paper Culture is a certified Green Business that offsets its carbon footprint and has been recognized by the EPA as a Top 10 climate leader. All photo books use 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and with a tree planted for every order, you can feel good about your purchase on multiple levels. Books are 8 x 8 or 8 x 10 inches and you can choose a hardcover, a layflat hardcover, or a layflat with a foil-embossed Kraft cover and personalized dust jacket. 

There are multiple templates divided into categories such as travel, holiday, or wedding. Whichever you go for, you’ll be able to create an end result that’s entirely unique since all elements are customizable. Choose the layout and order of your photos, add text in different fonts and colors, and change the background color of each page. Templates include 20 pages with the possibility of purchasing more. Shipping options range from standard to next-day express.

Best Video Books

Heirloom lets you add up to one hour of video to a physical book that plays original audio with crystal clear quality. 

Video books can show vertical or horizontal footage, but not both. 

For a slightly different approach to preserving your travel memories, consider Heirloom which adds your videos to a physical book so that they can be looked at and enjoyed over and over again. Each book includes a five-inch HD screen. You can choose for yours to be oriented horizontally or vertically (more appropriate for those that typically shoot footage on their phone.) There are three options: up to 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or one hour. 

Here’s how it works: purchase your video book online, then receive an email with instructions on how to add video using the online builder. Your book will then be created and mailed to you. You don’t have to limit yourself to video. The books can also display photos as a slideshow and even mix photos and videos together. Add a personal message. Then, choose from 16 premade covers or pay extra for a custom cover printed with your own design. All video books include a charger and expedited delivery is a possibility.

If you're looking for creative ways to display and share your travel photos, you aren't limited to photo books. There are a few other options when it comes to memorializing your trip.

Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame : A digital picture frame is a great way to display a lot of pictures without spending a fortune on paper. Simply upload photos from your phone or computer directly to the frame and watch your snapshots cycle through on the high-resolution screen.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer : Print individual photos on the go with this smartphone printer that's travel-sized and easy to use. After connecting to your phone via Bluetooth, it only takes about 15 seconds to print out a 2-by-3-inch photo.

Tips for Choosing a Photo Book Website

Consider turnaround time.

If you need your photo book in a hurry, make sure to take production and delivery times into consideration when choosing which company to use. A handful — usually more budget-friendly ones — offer same-day production and the option to collect in-store, which is ideal for last-minute gifts . Others take several days to produce your book, but then offer expedited or rushed shipping to cut delivery time down to a minimum. Others can take two or more weeks to deliver. Check product descriptions carefully, since turnaround times can differ within the same company depending on the size and complexity of the photo book you choose. 

Look closely at the templates offered

Think about your desired photo book aesthetic and then look for a company with templates to match. These can vary from the simplistic (your photos and perhaps some text on a plain white background) to the complex (different background colors and designs, optional filters and frames, the ability to create collages and add text bubbles or other graphics.) Some companies offer templates that have been pre-designed to suit a specific theme, whether that’s travel in general or a Disney trip, tropical cruise, or camping adventure . 

Prioritize ease of use

If you have a background in design or count scrapbooking among your hobbies, you may relish in the challenge of building a photo book from scratch. But if you’re pressed for time or simply don’t want to spend hours choosing which photos go where and how to make them look their best, look for a photo book maker that does the hard work for you. This can either be through an autofill service that arranges your photos on the page (usually, you can tweak this afterwards) or through a collaboration over email or live chat with one of the company’s in-house designers. The latter service often costs extra but sometimes, as with Shutterfly, is offered free of charge. 

Image quality is key

The most important thing when making a photo book is ensuring that the photos look as good as possible. This means choosing a professional, well-reviewed company that uses quality paper and printing methods. It also means submitting photos that are good quality . Most photo book companies will have guidelines for optimum image size and resolution, and others will come up with a warning message if the image you’ve selected is not of a sufficiently high quality. You can usually choose to use it anyway, but be prepared for it to look a little grainy or pixelated. Top tip: use your lowest resolution photos for the smallest spaces on collage pages. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most photo book makers can be used on your tablet or smartphone, either via a mobile-friendly website or with a special app. Just bear in mind that complicated layouts or photo books with lots of collage pages are often much easier to view and organize on a larger screen. 

The cost of a photo book varies hugely from under $20 to over $200. The price depends on which company you use but also on the size of the photo book, how many pages you want, and the materials you choose. Most templates include some pages in their starting price (20-25 on average), with a per-page fee for longer books. Softcover books are typically the cheapest, followed by hardcover and then linen and leather options. Traditional binding is cheaper than layflat, but layflat looks much better if you’re planning on having photos extend across a double page spread. Other factors that could increase cost include custom covers, premium paper finishes, design assistance, and expedited shipping. 

You want to find a company that prints photos that look as close as possible to the original, whether it was taken on a professional DSLR camera or downloaded from Facebook or Instagram. Images shouldn’t look grainy, blurry, or over- or undersaturated. Choose a photo book maker that uses professional printers and high-quality paper, and be sure to check customer reviews for the best insight into the kind of results you can expect. Don’t forget, though, pictures can only ever look as good as they were to begin with. So choose the crispest, best resolution images you have and use a light hand when editing them for a natural look. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Jessica Macdonald is a published photographer with a passion for finding new ways to preserve and display her travel photos. For this article, she drew on her own experience with photo book makers and also spent several hours researching the best options online. She compared services, prices, and reviews before choosing her category winners.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Related Articles

Swiss Stories

• 30 June 2020
• Photography

Create an annual photo album from your phone – a review of Once Upon

Amongst all the ridiculous things I said before I had children (´I will remain calm and serene through childbirth, ´my kids will never watch TV´) was the claim that I would still find plenty of time to complete my annual photo album after I had kids.

Starting way back in 5 BC (five years before children), I had always thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating my annual photo album. I used the software from Australian company Momento and spent hours sitting at my computer, creating layouts and writing cheesy captions.

Then in 2016, my first son came along, and I very quickly fell behind.

One year, then two years, then three years. Even when I was four years behind, I kept telling myself that I was only a productive evening or two from getting back up to date. Yeah, right.

Finally, in 4 AD (four years after the death of my pelvic floor), I had to admit to myself that the process I had enjoyed before kids was not going to work anymore. Then, with spookily perfect timing, and proving that it knows me better than I know myself, the Instagram algorithm served me up an ad claiming it would help me create a stylish photo album straight from my phone.

Was this ad from the Swedish company called Once Upon , an answer to my photo album prayers? Spoiler alert – it’s is. Otherwise, this article would be entirely pointless.

The Process

Downloading the app and setting up an account was straightforward, requiring no complicated forms or credit card details. Setting up a new album was also a simple process, with the starting template including only a title page and one blank spread (two pages), adding additional spreads easily as you go.

For each spread, you simply need to make three decisions:

Select between one and six photos.

Select a layout for the photos., add an optional title and/or caption..

There is a maximum of 100 spreads per book, which should arguably be plenty to summarise one year. However, because I am useless at editing and think every photo of my sons is ‘just the cutest, I couldn’t possibly leave it out’, I actually ended up with two books per year.

When it came time to order the books, again it was intuitive. I selected the size (I went classic 27x27cm), cover (hardback) and paper (standard glossy), entered my address and payment details and sent it off to the printer!

The Product

A couple of weeks later, I got the message I had been waiting for – that my albums were just a couple of days away (yay!). But my excitement quickly died down on reading that I needed to pay the CHF17.00 in import duties (boo!).

When they arrived, I immediately unboxed them (not in the manner of a YouTube kids video, but rather just literally taking them out of the box), and I was very pleasantly surprised with what I saw.

The size feels quite big and luxurious, the cover is excellent quality, and all the layouts and text look uncluttered and much classier than anything I could have ever achieved with my own design skills. The resolution of the photos was excellent; the only ones that were a bit blurry were the ones where the app had indicated a quality warning, which I had arrogantly ignored. While thick and good quality, the standard glossy paper is indeed quite glossy (fancy that), and I think for future books I will pay the bit extra for premium matte paper.

The Verdict

I’m a convert and will continue using Once Upon for my annual photo albums (and potentially some other photo album projects).

Three main features have turned me very quickly into an annoying evangelist for this product:

•  I can do the whole thing on my phone, where let’s face it, I already spend a lot of time, so at least now some of it can be productive.
• Goodbye decision fatigue, thanks to a minimal selection of layouts, title and text options.
• All praise Swedish design. The photobooks live up to its Swedish heritage, in that they are simple, stylish and high quality.

In terms of negatives or areas for improvement, I should mention that the books are not particularly cheap (each hardcover 100 spread book was 90CHF) and that there is no possibility to edit or even crop photos within the app. I can’t forget the dreaded import duties either. I thought not being able to add captions to individual images was also a downside. Still, on reflection, I would quickly get myself four years behind again if someone gave me that option, so best keep any easily procrastinative tasks away from me.

Whether you use Once Upon or one of the many other options out there, I offer you my new mantra when it comes to creating and printing photo albums (one which my pre-kids self would be disgusted by): “done is better than perfect”. So get them done, before you end up with a backlog of a decade, in which case a productive evening or two most certainly will not get you back up to date.

About the author

Related Posts

Make a chronological family photo display

Organise an entire years worth of birthday cards in 5 simple steps

How to make a Stop Motion Video with STOKYS + LUGA GIVEAWAY

More from this region, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Welcome to z'Nüni

Read heartfelt and honest accounts from our diverse group of locals who all call Switzerland home. Dive into our cultural tips , recipes , travel adventures and emotional stories . All reach beyond the cliche and will help you feel right at home . 

Lifestyle Posts

2022 Swiss Gift Guide from z’Nüni

9 Gift Ideas for Teachers + 4 bonus Swiss themed ideas

9 Rituals to Extract that Last Bit of Coziness

Dear z’Nüni – Navigating Kids Screen Time

Z'nüni store.

Swiss Posters

Swiss Poster – Zürich HB (Zürich Train Station)

#thefirstcup

#thefirstcup – second edition

z'Nüni Products

z’Nüni Enamel Mug (9+Coffee=z’Nüni)

z’Nüni Tote Bag

• Shipping Info
• Privacy Policy

Privacy Overview

Once Upon | Photobook Creator Reviews

About: Over 3 000 000 photo fans can’t be wrong – make fantastic photo books easily, right from your phone with Once Upon. Create several books simultaneously, and work on them when it suits you.

  Table of Contents :

• User Reviews (22)
• Is it Legit?
• Is it Safe?
• Not working
• Report Issue
• Contact Support

About Once Upon Photobook Creator

What is Once Upon Photobook Creator?

Once Upon is a mobile app that allows users to create photo books easily from their phone. With over 3 million users, the app offers several pre-designed layout alternatives, collaborative albums, and the ability to select from three alternative formats. Users can choose to go with semi-gloss or a silk matte paper, and prices start from $25. The app also offers automatic iCloud sync and storage, and the photo books are printed in several countries.

- Collaborative albums – invite as many friends as you like

- Shuffle function to highlight your favourite layout

- Captions let you say a little something about every memory

- Drag-and-drop to arrange your pages in no time

- Copy spreads between your albums to keep multiple versions simple

- Easy image selection with dates sorted by month

- Google Photos connection and automatic iCloud sync

- Storage – we back your images and photo books up to our servers

- Scandinavian design

- Our photo books are printed in the USA, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.

Overall User Satisfaction Rating

Key benefits of once upon photobook creator.

- Perfect for me as I have no social media accounts

- Easy and affordable

- Can send albums to people without internet

- Notified me of low quality pictures

- Easy to navigate

- Good quality of book

22 Once Upon Photobook Creator Reviews

Easier than i expected.

So glad I saw the hilarious ads for OnceUponPhotobookCreator because it is perfect for me. I have no social media accounts so I don’t share pictures online but I have tons of pictures on my phone. Now I have something to do with all my photos that is easy and affordable. Also my MIL doesn’t have internet so now we can send her these albums to keep. So much easier than printing and mailing pictures!

By nickky.Jay

I tried a different app to make my photo book but they wouldn’t do it cause some my pictures were taken with an older phone camera (I knew they’d be blurry but wanted them anyway) OnceUponPhotobookCreator notified me my pictures were low Quality but still printing them any way which makes me so happy

Easy to use!

I’ve tried other sites that were too difficult to navigate that I never finished making a book. Once upon a time makes it simple to add your photos and make a comment on each picture.

By Slgasser

Memory keeper must

I’ve been wanting to make yearly family photo books for years- and just caught up on 5 years worth in just a couple of days. If you have your photos saved to Apple photos, making photo books is a breeze!

By ashleynotI

Beautiful, Excellent Quality

I really love my Once Upon books. I love that I can create from my phone which makes it easy to go in and edit as need be. I also love the feature to add text and anecdotes. Super happy and will use this service as my daughter grows for sure!

By jackielane1234

Beautiful books but lacking a little

I ordered a book and absolutely love the quality but wish it could’ve been more customizable. For example, I would appreciate if I could add a text box wherever I please. Currently the only option for text is for it to take up a whole page. Great app concept but need more of these customizable features.

By Tesmomma

great app and service

Once Upon is a great photo app- easy to use. Customer service had a quick response time and was specific on how to resolve my checking out issue. Thank you so much Once Upon creators. Excited to see what the album will look like!

By aliciaeschemann

Amazing photo album

I’m absolutely in love with the easy handling in OnceUponPhotobookCreator . I actually think it’s a nice way to create a photo book on your phone. You can do it wherever you are and personalize it the way you want it to. It’s a really classic and beautiful design. I would definitely recommend it.

By 1132-bula

Love your books

OnceUponPhotobookCreator is so easy to use. Creates memories in no time. Love the fact that I can use photos directly from phone. Quality is great and comparable if not better to the other companies!

By Dulcisgrl

One thing I love about OnceUponPhotobookCreator is that is organizes your pictures by months and shows you which ones you’ve already selected! So handy when creating your book.

By me name sam

Simple and easy

OnceUponPhotobookCreator was EXACTLY what I was looking for. I just wanted to make a simple picture book. Nothing fancy. This was extremely user friendly. Will definitely recommend!

By Grand in Georgia

Easy Publishing!

What an easy way to publish a book from your own photos! My 1 year old granddaughter loves books, so what greater gift than one about her 1st birthday celebrations! OnceUponPhotobookCreator makes it easy and fun to make.

Quick and easy but

Just wish you’re able to add text to photos and not always just on one side of the page

By birchbeat

Easy to use and links to Google photos

Super easy to use and save as you work through editing. I liked that it linked to Google Photos

Missing tool

There is one simple missing tool which is being able to crop the photos. Also it would be useful to put a text under a photo instead of using a whole page for a small text

By jirakattack

Great picture books!

Found OnceUponPhotobookCreator easy to use and the quality of the product is really nice for the price.

By argithreee

EASY TO USE

really easy to navigate OnceUponPhotobookCreator. Very user friendly unlike some competitors I’ve tried. Excited to see how my book turns out!

By brittanymrose

Love this app

Extremely user friendly and convenient. Made a beautiful book in an hour of my so ‘s first year.

By Mrs.VolkStar

Great experience

So easy to upload photos, complete, and order. Highly recommend ✨

By Bulldogs310!

You should have the option on the left page on how the wording is laid out. Right justification, left or center. Also the font size and type of font.

By Diamondtrim

such a cool app - fantastic - thank you so much for this great app - easy to do - ! such a joy ..

By a.wild.auj

For those of us who wish to remember

OnceUponPhotobookCreator took all the stress out of making a photo book. I made a 26 page book about my experience living vanlife for a season. The hardest and most time consuming part was choosing the photos I wanted to use but once I put them all on an album on my phone, OnceUponPhotobookCreator would search through that specific album, organizing it by the date each photo was taken. From there you choose the photos you want for each page spread and have the option of adding a title or text to the pages. OnceUponPhotobookCreator has preselected layouts and after you click through them you also have the ability to rearrange the photos to fit the layout you like. Every thing looks sleek, clean, and like the inside of a kinfolk or other major print publication. Incredibly professional and stylish. I’m recommending this to everybody who goes on a trip, or has an experience they want to hold immortal on the pages of a book.

Saffron Craig   2 years ago

I don’t want to give you my credit card details. I’d like to use PayPal please?

Julie Harper   2 years ago

I placed my order on Feb 4th so I would have spare time before the 14th for things going wrong. For personal reasons this was extremely important that this year’s valentines be extra special & now it’s ruined

Is Once Upon Photobook Creator Safe?

Yes. Once Upon | Photobook Creator is very safe to use. This is based on our NLP (Natural language processing) analysis of over 3,621 User Reviews sourced from the Appstore and the appstore cumulative rating of 4.9/5 . Justuseapp Safety Score for Once Upon Photobook Creator Is 59.5/100.

Is Once Upon Photobook Creator Legit?

Yes. Once Upon | Photobook Creator is a totally legit app. This conclusion was arrived at by running over 3,621 Once Upon | Photobook Creator User Reviews through our NLP machine learning process to determine if users believe the app is legitimate or not. Based on this, Justuseapp Legitimacy Score for Once Upon Photobook Creator Is 100/100. .

Is Once Upon | Photobook Creator not working?

Once Upon | Photobook Creator works most of the time. If it is not working for you, we recommend you excersise some patience and retry later or Contact Support .

How was your experience with Once Upon | Photobook Creator? Post a Review

Leave a comment:

Alternatives

Protect yourself online with Justuseapp Privacy Cards

How does it work.

• Signup for Justuseapp Cards.
• Create up-to 24 virtual cards per month.
• Using your Justuseapp card, signup for unlimited subscriptions and free trials without worry. Your real card info stays hidden.
• Cancel a subscription / trial at anytime by blocking the site or app on your Justuseapp Card. Zero stress.
• Be safe from hackers and unwanted bills. Get started today!

Big Book Review

Read More, Discover More – Uncover Your Next Great Book

Once Upon Photo Book Review

Reviewing the Once Upon Photo Book is a delightful task, as this meticulously designed product brings cherished memories to life in a tangible form. With its high-quality printing and durable binding , this photo book is the perfect way to preserve and showcase your most precious moments. Whether it’s a wedding , family vacation , or special milestone , the Once Upon Photo Book is sure to impress both with its design and print quality . Let’s examine all the details and features that make this photo book a standout choice for anyone looking to create a timeless keepsake .

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

• High-Quality Images: Once Upon Photo Book Review offers high-quality images for the photo books, ensuring that your memories are preserved beautifully.
• Easy Customization: The platform provides easy customization options, allowing you to create personalized photo books that suit your style and preferences.
• Professional Printing: With Once Upon Photo Book Review, you can expect professional printing services that deliver top-notch results for your photo books.

Delving into Design

Aesthetic appeal and cover art.

Any photo book is first judged by its cover, and the aesthetic appeal plays a crucial role in attracting the reader’s attention. The cover art sets the tone for the entire book, offering a glimpse into the visual treat that lies within.

Navigating Through the Pages

When you probe the photo book, the aesthetic layout and design of each page enhance the overall reading experience. The way the photos are arranged, the use of white space, and the font choice all contribute to how seamlessly you can navigate through the pages .

Another necessary aspect of navigating through the pages is the flow of the story. A well-designed photo book will guide you through a visual journey, leading your eyes from one stunning image to the next, maintaining engagement and interest throughout.

Storytelling Through Images

Photo quality and color accuracy.

Accuracy is key when it comes to photo quality and color in your photo book. Some printing services offer high-quality paper and advanced printing techniques that ensure your images come out crisp and vibrant.

Layouts and Customization Options

To truly tell a story through your photo book, the layout and customization options play a crucial role. Some platforms provide a wide range of templates, backgrounds, and designs for you to choose from, enabling you to creatively showcase your images.

Once Upon Photo Book Review: Dive Into Your Next Adventure

Understanding your options for layouts and customization is vital in creating a photo book that truly reflects your vision. From selecting the perfect template to customizing text and embellishments, the possibilities are endless. Experimenting with different layouts can help you find the perfect design to complement your images and narrative.

Usability and Features

Software ease of use.

Keep in mind that the software provided by Once Upon Photo Books is incredibly user-friendly. You don’t need to be a tech genius to navigate through the platform, upload your photos, and design your photo book. The step-by-step process is intuitive and straightforward, making the creation process a breeze.

Range of Features and Tools

The ease of use doesn’t compromise on the features and tools available. Once Upon Photo Books offers a wide range of customization options including various layouts, backgrounds, stickers, and text options. Plus, you can easily enhance your photos with filters and editing tools directly on the platform. From basic designs to intricate layouts, options are plentiful to cater to your personal style and preferences.

It’s worth noting that the platform allows for intricate photo editing with features like cropping, rotating, and adjusting colors. Additionally, collaborative tools enable you to work on a project with friends or family members in real-time, perfect for creating a joint memento or gift. The ability to save projects and come back to them later further enhances the user experience, allowing you to take your time and perfect your creation.

Value for Money

Pricing breakdown.

Not all photo book services are created equal when it comes to pricing. Some companies may offer low upfront costs but then tack on extra fees for features that should be included in the base price. It’s important to carefully review the pricing breakdown before committing to a service.

Comparing Quality to Cost

As far as photo books, it’s important to assess the quality of the product in relation to the cost. Some companies may charge a higher price for premium materials and printing techniques, while others may offer a budget-friendly option with lower quality. It’s crucial to find the right balance between cost and quality to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

When comparing the quality to cost, it’s important to consider factors such as paper quality, printing resolution, binding, and cover materials. Pay attention to customer reviews and samples of the company’s work to ensure you’re getting a photo book that meets your expectations.

From above, Once Upon Photo Book Review is a highly recommended service for creating personalized and high-quality photo books. With their user-friendly platform, wide range of design options, and excellent customer service, capturing and preserving memories has never been easier. Whether you’re creating a gift for a loved one or documenting your own special moments, Once Upon is sure to exceed your expectations.

Q: What is the Once Upon Photo Book Review about?

A: Once Upon Photo Book Review is a platform where users can create personalized photo books with high-quality prints and materials to preserve their memories in a creative and customizable way.

Q: How does Once Upon Photo Book Review work?

A: To start, users can select the type of photo book they want to create, upload their photos, customize the layout and design with various templates and editing tools, and then place an order for printing and delivery.

Q: What makes Once Upon Photo Book Review stand out from other photo book services?

A: Once Upon Photo Book Review offers a wide range of design options, high-quality printing materials, user-friendly customization tools, and fast delivery, making it a convenient and creative choice for preserving memories.

• ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

ONCE UPON A TIME

The captivating life of carolyn bessette-kennedy.

by Elizabeth Beller ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024

A sensitive portrait of a misunderstood public figure.

The pursuit of an American princess.

Editor and arts journalist Beller makes her book debut with a sympathetic biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (1966-1999), the wife of John Kennedy Jr., who was killed with him when their small plane crashed in 1999. As soon as Carolyn appeared in the public eye, writes the author, she was unfairly demonized as icy and “bitchy,” a characterization that Beller successfully refutes, drawing on much firsthand testimony. Because she was stunningly beautiful and a fashion icon, the media decided, “then she also must be a vapid clotheshorse.” The author clearly admires the woman she portrays as possessing “an inimitably original, wildly engrossing brand of magnetism that held those around her spellbound.” Throughout, she describes Carolyn’s stunning outfits (and lipstick and hair color) in reverential detail. Aware that people were “primed to judge her” negatively because she was so beautiful, Carolyn “went out of her way to be kind,” one friend attested, “and to make people comfortable.” An education major in college, she loved children, but she loved fashion, too, and decided to pursue that field rather than teaching. Beller recounts Carolyn’s successful career at Calvin Klein, where she first met John, who had come in for a menswear fitting. An on-again, off-again relationship culminated in their engagement, which incited a media frenzy; they married in September 1996, and “by January 1997, Carolyn could hardly do anything without intense scrutiny and its subsequent criticism.” Feeling “pursued as prey,” she refused to smile and wave. “What the tabloids often described as Carolyn’s cold demeanor can now more accurately be understood as fear,” writes the author. At the time of the crash, their marriage was strained, and Carolyn had descended into a “spiral of worry and anguish”; yet, Beller speculates, a thriving future lay ahead.

Pub Date: May 21, 2024

ISBN: 9781982178963

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 21, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024

ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & CELEBRITY | UNITED STATES | GENERAL BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

Share your opinion of this book

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

by Stephanie Johnson & Brandon Stanton illustrated by Henry Sene Yee ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2022

A blissfully vicarious, heartfelt glimpse into the life of a Manhattan burlesque dancer.

A former New York City dancer reflects on her zesty heyday in the 1970s.

Discovered on a Manhattan street in 2020 and introduced on Stanton’s Humans of New York Instagram page, Johnson, then 76, shares her dynamic history as a “fiercely independent” Black burlesque dancer who used the stage name Tanqueray and became a celebrated fixture in midtown adult theaters. “I was the only black girl making white girl money,” she boasts, telling a vibrant story about sex and struggle in a bygone era. Frank and unapologetic, Johnson vividly captures aspects of her former life as a stage seductress shimmying to blues tracks during 18-minute sets or sewing lingerie for plus-sized dancers. Though her work was far from the Broadway shows she dreamed about, it eventually became all about the nightly hustle to simply survive. Her anecdotes are humorous, heartfelt, and supremely captivating, recounted with the passion of a true survivor and the acerbic wit of a weathered, street-wise New Yorker. She shares stories of growing up in an abusive household in Albany in the 1940s, a teenage pregnancy, and prison time for robbery as nonchalantly as she recalls selling rhinestone G-strings to prostitutes to make them sparkle in the headlights of passing cars. Complemented by an array of revealing personal photographs, the narrative alternates between heartfelt nostalgia about the seedier side of Manhattan’s go-go scene and funny quips about her unconventional stage performances. Encounters with a variety of hardworking dancers, drag queens, and pimps, plus an account of the complexities of a first love with a drug-addled hustler, fill out the memoir with personality and candor. With a narrative assist from Stanton, the result is a consistently titillating and often moving story of human struggle as well as an insider glimpse into the days when Times Square was considered the Big Apple’s gloriously unpolished underbelly. The book also includes Yee’s lush watercolor illustrations.

Pub Date: July 12, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-250-27827-2

Page Count: 192

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: July 27, 2022

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & CELEBRITY | GENERAL BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

More by Brandon Stanton

BOOK REVIEW

by Brandon Stanton

by Brandon Stanton photographed by Brandon Stanton

by Brandon Stanton ; photographed by Brandon Stanton

LOVE, PAMELA

by Pamela Anderson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2023

A juicy story with some truly crazy moments, yet Anderson's good heart shines through.

The iconic model tells the story of her eventful life.

According to the acknowledgments, this memoir started as "a fifty-page poem and then grew into hundreds of pages of…more poetry." Readers will be glad that Anderson eventually turned to writing prose, since the well-told anecdotes and memorable character sketches are what make it a page-turner. The poetry (more accurately described as italicized notes-to-self with line breaks) remains strewn liberally through the pages, often summarizing the takeaway or the emotional impact of the events described: "I was / and still am / an exceptionally / easy target. / And, / I'm proud of that ." This way of expressing herself is part of who she is, formed partly by her passion for Anaïs Nin and other writers; she is a serious maven of literature and the arts. The narrative gets off to a good start with Anderson’s nostalgic memories of her childhood in coastal Vancouver, raised by very young, very wild, and not very competent parents. Here and throughout the book, the author displays a remarkable lack of anger. She has faced abuse and mistreatment of many kinds over the decades, but she touches on the most appalling passages lightly—though not so lightly you don't feel the torment of the media attention on the events leading up to her divorce from Tommy Lee. Her trip to the pages of Playboy , which involved an escape from a violent fiance and sneaking across the border, is one of many jaw-dropping stories. In one interesting passage, Julian Assange's mother counsels Anderson to desexualize her image in order to be taken more seriously as an activist. She decided that “it was too late to turn back now”—that sexy is an inalienable part of who she is. Throughout her account of this kooky, messed-up, enviable, and often thrilling life, her humility (her sons "are true miracles, considering the gene pool") never fails her.

Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023

ISBN: 9780063226562

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Dey Street/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

More About This Book

SEEN & HEARD

• Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
• News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
• Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
• Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
• Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
• More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
• About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

• Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Contact us: 1-800-316-9361 or email [email protected].

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

Curious or in need of help? We’re here for you

Have you had any thoughts along the way? On this page, we have collected the answers to the most common questions regarding Once Upon. Still can't find what you're looking for? Don't hesitate to contact our superb Customer Care Team, who are eager to help you. The easiest way to reach them is via our support form.

Let Once Upon do all the work for you!

Just one last step left! With Once Upon close to hand it is easier and more fun than ever to make photo books with all the photos in your phone! Yup, it's true! Making photo books can be fun. Give us a whirl, we promise, you'll love it!

We wish we could speak every language in the world by heart, but unfortunately we can’t. So, our blog is only translated to English, Swedish, Dutch and German. For now. Pick the language you prefer below. Happy story reading!

ps. After you pick a language our entire website will be translated to that language, but you can easily change it back when you’re done reading our stories – you’ll find the language selector at the bottom of the page.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Once Upon a Time, the World of Picture Books Came to Life

The tale behind a new museum of children’s literature is equal parts imagination, chutzpah and “The Little Engine That Could.”

By Elisabeth Egan

Photographs and Video by Chase Castor

Elisabeth Egan followed the Rabbit Hole as it was nearing completion. She has written about several of its inhabitants for The Times.

On a crisp Saturday morning that screamed for adventure, a former tin can factory in North Kansas City, Mo., thrummed with the sound of young people climbing, sliding, spinning, jumping, exploring and reading.

Yes, reading.

If you think this is a silent activity, you haven’t spent time in a first grade classroom. And if you think all indoor destinations for young people are sticky, smelly, depressing hellholes, check your assumptions at the unmarked front door.

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole, a brand-new, decade-in-the-making museum of children’s literature founded by the only people with the stamina for such a feat: former bookstore owners. Pete Cowdin and Deb Pettid are long-married artists who share the bullish determination of the Little Red Hen. They’ve transformed the hulking old building into a series of settings lifted straight from the pages of beloved picture books.

Before we get into what the Rabbit Hole is, here’s what it isn’t: a place with touch screens, a ball pit, inscrutable plaques, velvet ropes, a cloying soundtrack or adults in costumes. It doesn’t smell like graham crackers, apple juice or worse (yet). At $16 per person over 2 years old, it also isn’t cheap.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Once Upon | Photobook Creator 4+

Family & photo album maker, once upon publishing ab.

• #68 in Photo & Video
• 4.9 • 8.7K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Over 5 000 000 photo fans can’t be wrong – make fantastic photo books and photo prints easily, right from your phone with Once Upon. Create several books and prints simultaneously, and work on them when it suits you. Combining your special moments in a personal, designed book has never been easier. In just a few minutes, you’ll let your pictures live beyond your phone. Do it on the go, or when relaxing at home. How Once Upon works: - Choose up to 594 images from your phone, tablet or computer - Write a few captions (optional) - Select from several pre-designed layout alternatives - Repeat as many times as you wish! One book holds up to 200 pages OUR PHOTO BOOKS You select the format of your book once you’ve created your content. We have three alternative formats: Softcover Medium, Hardcover Medium and Hardcover Large. You can also choose to go with glossy or silk matte paper. Softcover Medium, 20x20 cm Hardcover Medium, 20x20 cm, album title printed on spine Hardcover Large, 27x27 cm, album title printed on spine OUR PHOTO PRINTS Get started on a collection made of high-quality paper you’ll definitely want to keep. Our prints are available in the 13x18 cm size, and you can choose to make them in matte or semi-gloss paper. The format will adjust to either landscape or portrait depending on your photo. OUR FEATURES - Collaborative albums – invite as many friends as you like - Shuffle function to highlight your favourite layout - Captions let you say a little something about every memory - Drag-and-drop to arrange your pages in no time - Copy spreads between your albums to keep multiple versions simple - Easy image selection with dates sorted by month - Google Photos connection and automatic iCloud sync - storage – we back your images and photo books up to our servers - Scandinavian design - Our photo books and photo prints are printed in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA Questions, or just want to say hi? Grab us at [email protected]. Get inspired by fellow photo book fans via our Instagram, @onceuponapp.

Version 5.1.2

You didn't miss this, did you? You can now make photo books and photo prints from your phone or tablet and through your computer's web browser. Plus, in this version of the app, we got rid of a few bugs to help you create seamlessly.

Ratings and Reviews

8.7K Ratings

Great app, beautiful book

Wow, I have just received my book and am so impressed. I made a book for my daughter’s first year composed entirely of iPhone pictures, and even at the largest book size they look fantastic printed. The quality of the book itself is great. I found the app really easy to use and loved that I could put it down and come back to it later. This was essential for me as a full time working mom trying to squeeze this in during the evenings. The ability to collaborate was essential as it allowed my husband to easily contribute pictures as well. I will definitely keep using Once Again for future books, even though it is more expensive than other options. A couple things that would have made it even better: 1) the ability to sort all photos by date, especially with multiple collaborators and 2) more options for the cover. The subtitle is too small for my liking, but that’s a minor point. I cannot wait to give these books as presents to the grandparents.

Developer Response ,

Hey, thanks a bunch for writing that review and great feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time creating your photo book with us. It' has always been our goal to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Your support means the world to us. Take care, and happy photo book making! 💛 /Team Once Upon

This has been a good experience -often making photo books feels really fiddly. I restarted on this app after trying with an app that does the whole arrangement for you. I wasn’t happy with that output and this app gave the right balance between automated arrangement and selection of photos to include on the page. I was looking for a very simple background which this gives, however if you wanted some background graphics the Scandinavian style of this app might not suit you - I loved it. There were a couple of things that worked less well, otherwise it would have been a 5. 1) I started a second book at the same time as this and I lost access to the album on my phone that contained only relevant photos. It meant I had to rely on the recents album and scroll through WhatsApp attachments etc. I did receive good customer service around this but none of the fixes worked or it required using an intermediate app which was too fiddly. 2) I liked that the photos were ordered into tabs dependent on when they were taken but I also wanted a ‘see all’ option which allowed me to scroll through everything. The cost seemed pretty reasonable give I chose the biggest book and added pages (total 60). That book worked out at about £60.

Hey there! Thank you for your valuable feedback. Seems like you encountered a bug we've had? If you update to the latest version the problem should be solved. You can always get back to [email protected] and they will dig deeper into the problem. Ok? Wish you a great day! /Team Once Upon

Just received my first Once Upon book (27cmx27cm) and the quality is truly excellent! It reminded me of the superior finish that the Apple photo books had when Apple were still producing them. I opted for the “standard” finish which was flawless and not really sure how one could improve on it. The app, as advertised, is super slick and easy to use with just the right amount of options. The collaboration piece is a stroke of genius too. A few suggestions for improvement would be to offer the option of upgrade to include a sleeve and also to highlight any duplicated photos - in my rush to finish the job I foolishly repeated a picture and have had this highlighted by other online photo book companies but naturally with a bit more care I would noticed the error of my ways. We know you pay for what you get and for the price this is a 10/10, high quality product that will not disappoint. I am about to order another. The book also arrived 5 days ahead of schedule!

Hey there! So happy to hear that, thanks for letting us know! And of course, we take your wishes with us. They are highly appreciated! Let us know if there is anything else we can do for you. Have a great day! /team Once Upon

App Privacy

The developer, Once Upon Publishing AB , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Financial Info
• Contact Info
• User Content
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian Bokmål, Spanish, Swedish

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Get all of your passes, tickets, cards, and more in one place.

You might also like.

Journi Print | Photobooks

Pixum Photo Book and printing

Popsa | Print Your Photos

Optimalprint: Photo Products

CEWE - Photobooks and more

Three photo books that are waiting for you

1 January 1970

It's the time to cosy up under a blanket and get started on those photo books that are waiting for you in your camera roll. Having trouble deciding where to start? Here are a few handy tips:

The 'Best vacay ever' book

Make a photo book about your dreamy vacay and relive it over and over again! It's also the perfect gift to give to the person you shared a fantastic trip together with!

The 'People I love the most' book

You can never have too many photo books filled with your favorite people. This is an easy one, since your camera is already jam-packed with them.

The 'My furry little friend' book

Dragging mud all over the floor, licking your face, jumping all over you, chewing your favourite shoes. Our furry little friends can get away with almost anything and we still love them. Why not capture it all in a photo book?

P.S. Have you tried inviting your friends and family to collaborate on your book? The perfect way to hang out, not matter how far apart you are.

Let Once Upon do all the work for you!

Just one last step left! With Once Upon close to hand it is easier and more fun than ever to make photo books with all the photos in your phone! Yup, it's true! Making photo books can be fun. Give us a whirl, we promise, you'll love it!

We wish we could speak every language in the world by heart, but unfortunately we can’t. So, our blog is only translated to English, Swedish, Dutch and German. For now. Pick the language you prefer below. Happy story reading!

ps. After you pick a language our entire website will be translated to that language, but you can easily change it back when you’re done reading our stories – you’ll find the language selector at the bottom of the page.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Auto Racing
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

FACT FOCUS: A look at claims made by Trump at news conference

Trump lashes out at Harris, recommits to a Sept. 10 debate at hourlong news conference

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

• Copy Link copied

FILE - Crowds are shown in front of the Washington Monument during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington. (AP Photo, File)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump talks about his ear as he speaks to reporters during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In his first news conference since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, former President Donald Trump said he would debate her on Sept. 10 and pushed for two more debates. The Republican presidential nominee spoke for more than an hour, discussing a number of issues facing the country and then taking questions from reporters. He made a number of false and misleading claims. Many of them have been made before.

Here’s a look at some of those claims.

CROWD SIZES

CLAIM: “The biggest crowd I’ve ever spoken — I’ve spoken to the biggest crowds. Nobody’s spoken to crowds bigger than me. If you look at Martin Luther King when he did his speech, his great speech, and you look at ours, same real estate, same everything, same number of people, if not we had more. And they said he had a million people, but I had 25,000 people.”

THE FACTS: Trump was comparing the crowd at his speech in front of the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, to the crowd that attended Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial.

But far more people are estimated to have been at the latter than the former.

Approximately 250,000 people attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at which King gave his speech, according to the National Park Service . The Associated Press reported in 2021 that there were at least 10,000 people at Trump’s address.

Moreover, Trump and King did not speak in the same location. King spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , which looks east toward the Washington Monument. Trump spoke at the Ellipse , a grassy area just south of the White House.

CLAIM: “Nobody was killed on Jan. 6.”

THE FACTS: That’s false. Five people died in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and its immediate aftermath. Pro-Trump rioters breached the U.S. Capitol that day amid Congress’ effort to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

Among the deceased are Ashli Babbitt, a Trump supporter shot and killed by police, and Brian Sicknick, a police officer who died the day after battling the mob. Four additional officers who responded to the riot killed themselves in the following weeks and months.

Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego, was shot and killed by a police officer as she climbed through a broken part of a Capitol door during the violent riot. Trump has often cited Babbitt’s death while lamenting the treatment of those who attended a rally outside the White House that day and then marched to the Capitol, many of whom fought with police.

DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION

CLAIM: “The presidency was taken away from Joe Biden, and I’m no Biden fan, but I tell you what, from a constitutional standpoint, from any standpoint you look at, they took the presidency away.”

THE FACTS: There is nothing in the Constitution that prevents the Democratic Party from making Vice President Kamala Harris its nominee. That process is determined by the Democratic National Committee.

Harris officially claimed the nomination Monday following a five-day online voting process, receiving 4,563 delegate votes out of 4,615 cast, or about 99% of participating delegates. A total of 52 delegates in 18 states cast their votes for “present,” the only other option on the ballot.

The vice president was the only candidate eligible to receive votes after no other candidate qualified by the party’s deadline following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race on July 21.

What to know about the 2024 Election

• Today’s news: Follow live updates from the campaign trail from the AP.
• Ground Game: Sign up for AP’s weekly politics newsletter to get it in your inbox every Monday.
• AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.

THE ECONOMY

CLAIM: Suggesting things would be different if he had been in office rather than Biden: “You wouldn’t have had inflation. You wouldn’t have had any inflation because inflation was caused by their bad energy problems. Now they’ve gone back to the Trump thing because they need the votes. They’re drilling now because they had to go back because gasoline was going up to 7, 8, 9 dollars a barrel.”

THE FACTS: There would have been at least some inflation if Trump had been reelected in 2020 because many of the factors causing inflation were outside a president’s control. Prices spiked in 2021 after cooped-up Americans ramped up their spending on goods such as exercise bikes and home office furniture, overwhelming disrupted supply chains. U.S. auto companies, for example, couldn’t get enough semiconductors and had to sharply reduce production, causing new and used car prices to shoot higher. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022 also sent gas and food prices soaring around the world, as Ukraine’s wheat exports were disrupted and many nations boycotted Russian oil and gas.

Still, under Biden, U.S. oil production reached a worldwide record level earlier this year .

Many economists, including some Democrats, say Biden’s $1.9 trillion financial support package, approved in March 2021, which provided a $1,400 stimulus check to most Americans, helped fuel inflation by ramping up demand. But it didn’t cause inflation all by itself. And Trump supported $2,000 stimulus checks in December 2020, rather than the $600 checks included in a package he signed into law in December 2020.

Prices still spiked in countries with different policies than Biden’s, such as France , Germany and the U.K. , though mostly because of the sharp increase in energy costs stemming from Russia’s invasion.

IMMIGRATION

CLAIM: “Twenty million people came over the border during the Biden-Harris administration — 20 million people — and it could be very much higher than that. Nobody really knows.”

THE FACTS: Trump’s 20 million figure is unsubstantiated at best, and he didn’t provide sources.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports 7.1 million arrests for illegal crossings from Mexico from January 2021 through June 2024. That’s arrests, not people. Under pandemic-era asylum restrictions, many people crossed more than once until they succeeded because there were no legal consequences for getting turned back to Mexico. So the number of people is lower than the number of arrests.

In addition, CBP says it stopped migrants 1.1 million times at official land crossings with Mexico from January 2021 through June 2024, largely under an online appointment system to claim asylum called CBP One.

U.S. authorities also admitted nearly 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela under presidential authority if they had financial sponsors and arrived at an airport.

All told, that’s nearly 8.7 million encounters. Again, the number of people is lower due to multiple encounters for some.

There are an unknown number of people who eluded capture, known as “got-aways” in Border Patrol parlance. The Border Patrol estimates how many but doesn’t publish that number.

CLAIM: Vice President Kamala Harris “was the border czar 100% and all of a sudden for the last few weeks she’s not the border czar anymore.”

THE FACTS: Harris was appointed to address “root causes” of migration in Central America. That migration manifests itself in illegal crossings to the U.S., but she was not assigned to the border.

NEW YORK CASES

CLAIM: “The New York cases are totally controlled out of the Department of Justice.”

THE FACTS: Trump was referring to two cases brought against him in New York — one civil and the other criminal.

Neither has anything to do with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The civil case was initiated by a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James. In that case, Trump was ordered in February to pay a $454 million penalty for lying about his wealth for years as he built the real estate empire that vaulted him to stardom and the White House.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a state-level prosecutor, brought the criminal case . In May, a jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

___ Associated Press writers Melissa Goldin and Elliot Spagat and economics writer Christopher Rugaber contributed to this article. ___

Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck .

An earlier version of this story mixed up “latter” and “former” in the third paragraph. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, drew a far larger crowd than Donald Trump’s speech near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021.