Hear a story come to life
Every story can come as a read-along video, in a loved one's voice or ours. The pages turn and the words light up as they're read.
Sample story with a fictional family. Your book uses your own photos and names.
Their story. Their pictures.
Custom picture books made with your loved one's real photos, real names, and real places, to help them understand life's big and hard moments.
Why real pictures
Most picture stories say "a loved one" and show clip art. But for someone who needs pictures to understand, seeing their own face, their own family, and the actual places they'll go makes all the difference.
Every RNBD story is written from scratch for one person and one situation, in simple, first-person language at their level. Our personalized visual social stories are made for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and anyone who understands best through pictures.
for one person and one situation, in simple, first-person language at their level.Stories for moments like
- Saying goodbye to someone who is dying
- A death and grief
- Going to a funeral
- Moving to a new home
- Divorce or two homes
- Doctor or dentist visit
- Hospital stay or surgery
- Puberty and body changes
- Body safety and boundaries
- New school, program, or job
- Graduation or transition
- Daily routine
- New caregiver or staff
- Emergency or safety
Tap a moment to start a story about it. Not sure if we can help with your situation? Just ask. If it's happening in your loved one's life, we can make a story for it.
How it works
Tell us what's happening
Fill out a short intake form about your loved one and the situation.
Send a few photos
Phone pictures of the people and places in the story are perfect.
Get their story
Receive a digital book, a printed book, or both.
Pricing
Every story comes as a printable digital book, and you can add a 4x6 spiral pocket book or a hardcover keepsake.
Digital Story
A printable PDF you can use right away
Pocket Photo Book
A 4x6 spiral-bound book, easy to carry anywhere, plus the digital copy
Hardcover Keepsake
A durable hardcover book, plus the digital copy
Rush service, +$25: for when you only have days to prepare. Available for Digital Stories and Pocket Photo Books.
Read-Along Video, +$30: your story as a video that reads itself aloud, page by page, in a loved one's voice or ours. Plays on any phone, tablet, or TV.
You'll pay securely by card through Square when you submit your story request, and we'll begin right away.
Grief & Goodbye Set
A three-part series covering saying goodbye, understanding the death, and what changes afterward. $99 digital, or $225 for all three in hardcover.
Start a story
Tell us about your loved one and what's happening. We'll take it from there. Questions? Call or text 440-444-4761.
Our story
RNBD stands for Ryan N Brandy Designs.
When my partner Ryan was dying, I didn't know how to prepare my son to say goodbye. So I made him a book with Ryan's face, our names, and pictures of what he would see in the hospital. Then I made two more, about Ryan's death and about what changed afterward. Those books helped my son understand in a way nothing else could.
I'm a mom, a legal guardian, and a caregiver, and I know how lost families feel when life changes fast. This work began with Ryan, and every story I make carries a piece of him.
Brandy
Pay it forward
Some families facing the hardest moments can't afford a custom book. Add a gift to your order, or give on its own, and help another family get the story they need.
For schools and providers
SSAs, intervention specialists, therapists, and day programs: our stories support ISP and IEP goals around transitions, medical care, grief, routines, and body safety.
Refer families to rnbd.net, or contact us to order stories for your classroom or caseload.
Questions families ask
Can the story be read out loud?
Yes. Add a Read-Along Video and your story becomes a video that turns the pages and reads each one aloud while the words light up. A parent or loved one can record the reading on their phone, and we put it together with the pictures. Or we can read it for you. It plays on any phone, tablet, or TV, with no apps or settings.
How long does a story take?
Most stories are ready within 5–7 business days. Rush is available for Digital Stories and Pocket Photo Books: rush digital stories are ready in 24 to 48 hours, and rush pocket books are made right away, plus shipping time. Hardcover books are printed by our book printer, so they can't be rushed.
Do you make stories for adults?
Yes. We make both child and adult versions, and adult stories are written with the dignity adults deserve.
What happens to my photos?
Your photos are used only to create your book and are deleted after delivery.
Can I request changes?
Yes. You'll see a proof of your story before it's finalized, and one round of revisions is included.