I See Me! vs Shutterfly (2026)
Two USA-based brands with different approaches to personalization. See how they compare—and meet a third option.
I See Me!
Long-running U.S. brand for personalized books and gifts—strong on educational and occasion titles.
- ✓Photo option
- ✗Include family as characters
- ✗Include pets as characters
- ✓Free preview
Shutterfly
Photo books and personalized gifts with your own images.
- ✓Photo option
- ✓Include family as characters
- ✓Include pets as characters
- ✓Free preview
OnceUponBooks
Premium personalized storybooks with recognizable likeness, famous story‑time classics with meaningful themes, and the ability to include more characters (like family and pets).
- ✓ Recognizable likeness
- ✓ Include family as characters
- ✓ Include pets as characters
- ✓ Premium, gift-ready hardcover
- – Smaller catalog (newer brand)
Quick decision guide
If you're deciding between I See Me! and Shutterfly, start with what matters most: story style, keepsake quality, and how personal the book feels when your child opens it.
I See Me is best if...
- Best for: Parents and gift-givers who want educational, name‑personalized books with a broad catalog across occasions.
- ✓ Long-running brand with a wide catalog
- ✓ Educational themes for younger kids
Shutterfly is best if...
- Best for: Families who want photo albums or memory books rather than illustrated storybooks.
- ✓ Use your own photos
- ✓ Frequent sales and discounts
OnceUponBooks is best if...
- ✓ You want recognizable likeness so your child recognizes themselves.
- ✓ You want family members + pets included as characters.
- ✓ You want a free preview before you commit.
- ✓ You want a gift‑ready keepsake (digital or hardcover).
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | I See Me | Shutterfly | OnceUponBooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo option | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Include family as characters | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Include pets as characters | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free preview | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital option | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Price range | $30–$50 | $20–$60 | $10–$40 |
| Delivery time | Varies (often ~1–2 weeks in the U.S.) | Varies (often ~1–2 weeks in the U.S.) | 2–14 days |
I See Me!
I See Me! has been creating personalized children's products since 2000, making them one of the most established brands in the space. They're known for educational themes, name recognition books for young children, and a wide range of personalized gifts beyond books. Shipping timelines vary by product and season, so it’s best to confirm the exact delivery estimate on the product page.
👍 Pros
- ✓ Long-running brand with a wide catalog
- ✓ Educational themes for younger kids
- ✓ Strong occasion and holiday selection
👎 Cons
- ✗ Many titles are primarily name-based (not full photo-based likeness)
- ✗ Photo integration varies by title (often lighter than photo-to-illustration books)
- ✗ Most books focus on the child as the lead (full-cast family/pets is limited)
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is a household name in photo products, offering everything from prints to calendars to photo books. Their photo books let you create memory albums using your own images, which is great for documenting events like birthdays or vacations. However, Shutterfly's 'storybooks' are essentially photo albums with text overlays—not illustrated fairy tales where your child becomes a character.
👍 Pros
- ✓ Use your own photos
- ✓ Frequent sales and discounts
- ✓ Fast shipping in the USA
👎 Cons
- ✗ Not true storybooks—more like photo albums
- ✗ Template-driven layouts (less story personalization)
- ✗ Photos appear as-is, not integrated into illustrated scenes
I See Me vs Shutterfly FAQs
Quick answers to help you choose between I See Me, Shutterfly, and OnceUponBooks.
Which is better: I See Me or Shutterfly?+
If I want a book that really looks like my child, which should I choose?+
Can I include family members and pets?+
Do I get to see it before I buy?+
Is it digital or hardcover?+
Which is best for gifting?+
🏆 The Verdict: Try OnceUponBooks
I See Me offers educational storybooks with name personalization, while Shutterfly excels at photo products and albums. If you want a premium illustrated storybook keepsake with recognizable likeness, plus family members and pets as characters (and a free preview first), OnceUponBooks is a strong third option.
Related guides
If you're still deciding, these pages help with the most common questions: photo choice, shipping timelines, and gift workflow.
Story-time Classics on OnceUponBooks
Your child becomes the hero of these timeless adventures—with familiar moments and meaningful themes.
Ready to Create Your Personalized Book?
See your child become the hero of a story-time classic. Free preview—no credit card required.
Start Your Free Preview →Digital from $10 • Hardcover from $40 • 30 illustrated pages