Founder, Magical Hekaya
Faouzi El Bakri
Faouzi El Bakri is the founder of Magical Hekaya, a personalized children's storybook platform that uses AI to put your child at the center of their own story. He writes about AI-personalized books, children's literacy, and the bibliotherapy research behind the product.
About
Faouzi started Magical Hekaya in early 2026 after noticing that traditional personalized books had stayed name-only for two decades while photo-based AI models had finally become reliable enough to draw a real child consistently across every page of a book. The product is built around a single conviction: a child who sees themselves as the hero of a story reads it differently — Dr. James Cook's 2009 study at Ohio State found a 3× re-read rate for personalized vs. non-personalized books at the same reading level. Hekaya makes that experience accessible from $4.99 instead of $30–$50, and adds audio narration that most competitors don't.
Expertise
- AI-personalized children's books
- Children's literacy and bibliotherapy
- Photo-based AI image generation
- Multilingual children's content (English, French, Arabic)
Recent articles by Faouzi El Bakri
Personalized Board Books for Babies & Toddlers (2026): What to Buy and What to Skip
Personalized board books come in two very different flavors — photo-collage books you assemble yourself and illustrated books where your baby is the character. Here's an honest 2026 buying guide: real prices, what each type is good for, and when a printed hardcover beats board stock.
Lost My Name Books: What Happened to Them + Best Alternatives in 2026
Remember 'The Little Boy/Girl Who Lost His Name'? The company renamed itself Wonderbly in 2017 and is now owned by Penguin Random House — and yes, the original book is still on sale. Here's the full story, how the book holds up in 2026, and the modern alternatives worth knowing about.
Personalized Dog Books: Put Your Child AND Your Dog in the Same Story (2026)
Most personalized dog books let you pick a cartoon breed from a menu. Photo-based AI books draw your actual dog — coloring, ears, markings — adventuring alongside your actual child. Here is how it works, plus honest alternatives.
Best Personalized Children's Book Companies 2026 — Ranked & Compared ($2.50–$50)
The 9 personalized children's book companies that actually deliver in 2026, ranked. Wonderbly, Hooray Heroes, Magic Story, Lullaby.ink, Childbook.ai, I See Me & more — exact prices, real photo quality verdict, delivery times, and which one wins for your budget.
AI Children's Book Explained: How Your Child's Photo Becomes a Storybook (2026)
An AI children's book uses your child's photo to generate original illustrations where they star as the hero. Here's exactly how it works, whether it's safe, what it costs (from $2.50 to $40+), and the 5 best platforms tested in 2026.
Best Personalized Christmas Books for Kids 2026 (7 Custom Picks Compared)
The best personalized Christmas books for kids in 2026: 7 custom Christmas storybooks compared on price, photo quality, and delivery speed. From $4.99 photo-real AI ready in 5 minutes to hardcover Wonderbly keepsakes — plus order-by deadlines and a Night Before Christmas personalized option.