Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What is Tikatok™?
Tikatok is an online platform where parents and their children can write, illustrate, and publish their original stories into professional-quality hardcover and paperback books or eBooks.
What is the cost?
It is free to join Tikatok! You will only need to pay when you order a hardcover, paperback or eBook of your or your child’s original story.
Hardcovers start at $18. Paperbacks start at $15. Final cost depends on the number of pages and the shipping method. All eBook downloads are $2.99.
How can I join Tikatok?
Please click here to join Tikatok. You must be at least 13 years old to join Tikatok.
How do I change my password, email address, or username?
Parents can change their password and email address from their Parent account profile. Just click the “account info” link at the top of the screen. To change your username please contact us.
Creating Books
My child and I have registered. How do we begin making a book?
Once you've registered, you can login and click "Start a Book" to begin writing.
What is a StorySparks™ Prompt?
StorySparks were created by Tikatok to spark your imagination. They are a little bit like a writing prompt, except that you may choose a topic and pick the names of the main characters. When you select a StorySpark and name the characters, the beginning of a story is automatically added into the book editor. Tikatok also shows hints at the bottom of each page, recommendations for what you should write about next. But feel free to ignore the hints and change anything you want!
My child and I need help with the book editor.
Read this book to find out what all of the buttons in the editor do, and get tips for creating your book.
My child started a book, but now I can't find it. Where did it go?
You can always find all of the books that you've made in the section of the site called the "My Books." To edit a book, go to the My Books section, click the cover of the book you want to work on, and then click "Edit."
My child wants to add illustrations to their book? How can I add them?
You can upload original illustrations or digital photos right to your child’s Tikatok account.
For drawings, we recommend using a scanner. Use of a digital camera is not recommended. Here are some tips for creating good scans:
Use resolution settings that will give you a file size of around 2-3 MB. For a letter-sized image, this should be around 150 or 200 dpi. Set the color setting to the highest number of colors. If possible, crop the page to capture just the image itself. Save your file to the “jpeg” or “jpg” format.
When you're done scanning, just go to the book you want to add the images to, click on “add an image” and follow the instructions to upload your files. Or go to the Drawings section and use the file upload box.
More detailed upload help can be found here.
Who owns the copyright to any book created in my account or my child’s account?
Tikatok users own the copyright of all original stories and images they submit to Tikatok with the exception of books created using Build-A-Bear StorySparks. Build-A-Bear owns the copyright of all books created using Build-A-Bear StorySparks.
How do I delete a book from my account or my child’s account?
From the home page in your Parent account, click My Books. Click on the book you’d like to remove, then click “Edit” and select “Delete this book” from the drop-down menu. Be careful, because this removes the book from the system and cannot be undone.
Ordering Books
How do I purchase my child’s book?
You must be the parent account holder to purchase any book associated with your child’s account. To place your order, click My Books, click on the book you’d like to purchase, then click “Buy in Print” to add the book to your shopping cart. Follow the instructions to check out. A free account with Google Checkout is required.
Someone I know created a book on Tikatok. How can I purchase a copy?
You must be the parent account holder to make a purchase. The book being purchased must be associated with your parent account or your child’s account. If you are not the parent account holder, you must ask the parent account holder to place an order on your behalf.
When I order a book will it have my child’s name on it?
When your order your child’s book, you will have the opportunity to add the author’s name, biography, and personal photo to the printed copy. This information will only be used for the printing of the book.
What is the quality of the printed book?
We think you’ll be blown away by the quality of the printed books!
Hardcover books are bound and laminated for a glossy cover, just like picture books you find at the bookstore. Your name, should you choose to include it, and the title of the book will be printed on the spine. Illustrations are reproduced in full color on heavy, glossy paper.
Softcover books are also laminated and glossy, and printed at the same size and on the same paper as the hardcover.
eBooks are high resolution pdf files that can be saved to your computer and printed on your home printer. The quality of the printed pages will depend on the capabilities of your printer.
How long will it take to ship my printed book?
Books take as many as 4 business days to print, bind, and dry from the day the order is placed. The final delivery time will depend on the shipping option that you choose.
- UPS Ground – 9-11 business days after the order date.
- UPS 2nd Day Air – 8-9 business days after the order date.
- UPS Overnight – 7 business days after the order date.
Does Tikatok ship books outside of the US?
Yes, but international shipping is currently not supported from the website. If you would like to ship a book to an address outside of the United States, please contact us for a quote.
What is your refund and return policy?
We cannot accept returns, but we will refund your money or reprint your book(s) within 30 days if your book arrived damaged or if the printed book looks substantially different from the online preview.
Gift Cards
How do I buy a Tikatok Gift Card?
Click on the Gift Cards page and choose one of the suggested values, or name your own value (the minimum is $20). You then have three choices - you can email the card as a gift, print it out using your own printer, or have Tikatok mail a physical card. Physical cards are sent by US First Class mail. Please expect 7-10 business days for delivery.
My child has a Tikatok Gift Card. How do I use it?
First, your child should create their book using the editor. When they’re finished, add it to your shopping cart and go through the checkout process. When you get to the Google Checkout page, look for the box that says “Tikatok Gift Card” and enter your gift card claim code in the space provided. Any balance you have left on the card will remain for you to use at another time.
How can I check the remaining balance on my gift card?
Go to the Tikatok Gift Card page and use the balance checking tool in the bottom right corner of the screen.
