Frequently Asked Questions

1.1 What is the DKK Publishing Children’s Story Book Creator?

The DKK Publishing Children’s Story Book Creator is an online system that allows children to create their own story books.

Children can either use one of our Preset Themes with a picture-guided storyline or select the Create Your Own Story/Theme option and develop their own original story.

Once the book has been completed and submitted for publishing, DKK Publishing will prepare the book for publication and printing in accordance with the selected package.

1.2 What is the purpose of the Story Book Creator?

The platform is designed to make reading, writing and storytelling exciting and rewarding for children.

It gives children the opportunity to see their own ideas transformed into a professionally produced book in which they are recognised as the author.

1.3 What are the educational benefits?

Regular use of the Story Book Creator can help children:

✓ Improve literacy and comprehension

✓ Build confidence

✓ Encourage creative thinking

✓ Develop writing skills

✓ Strengthen communication skills

✓ Make learning fun

✓ Experience a real sense of achievement

Children are also encouraged to build their own collection of books over time.

1.4 Is DKK Publishing a school or educational institution?

No. DKK Publishing is a publishing company and the Story Book Creator is a creative writing and publishing platform.

It is intended to complement a child’s learning and encourage reading, writing and creativity.

1.5 Where is the service available?

The DKK Publishing Children’s Story Book Creator is currently available for use in South Africa only.

1.6 Who is Miss Bright Spark?

Miss Bright Spark is the friendly mascot and creative guide of the DKK Publishing Children’s Story Book Creator.

She helps children navigate the storytelling journey step by step, offering encouragement, tips and inspiration along the way.

When prompted or clicked on within the platform, Miss Bright Spark also provides picture clues — visual inspiration prompts designed to spark ideas and help children imagine what their story could be about.

She is there to make storytelling fun, interactive and full of imagination.

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2.1 Who can register?

Only a child’s parent or legal guardian may register for the service and purchase a book package.

Children cannot independently register or purchase packages.

2.2 Why must a parent or legal guardian register?

The parent/legal guardian is responsible for providing the information required for registration, selecting and purchasing a package, managing the account, providing the necessary permissions and managing delivery.

2.3 Can a child create their own account?

No. The child’s login credentials are created by the parent/legal guardian.

2.4 Are there separate parent and child logins?

Yes.

There are two different types of access:

Parent/Guardian Account

Used for registration, package selection, payment and other account-related functions.

Child Account

Used to access the Story Book Creator and create the child’s books.

2.5 Can the child see the parent’s personal information?

No. The child’s account is intended to provide access only to the book creation system/tool.

The child does not have access to the parent’s registration information, payment methods or payment information.

2.6 Can the child make payments?

No. Payments are handled through the parent/legal guardian account.

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3.1 What information will the parent/legal guardian need to provide?

Registration may require information such as:

• – Name and surname
• – Delivery/address information
• – Email address
• – Cellphone number
• – Child-related information required for the publishing service
• – Account/login information
• – Package selection
• – Delivery information
• – Any other information reasonably required to provide the service

3.2 Why is it important to provide the correct address?

Your registered address is used to determine the appropriate collection location where applicable.

Parents/legal guardians must therefore ensure that their contact and address information is complete and accurate.

3.3 Who is responsible for ensuring registration information is correct?

The parent/legal guardian is responsible for checking that all information submitted during registration is accurate.

3.4 How is the child’s username and password created?

The parent/legal guardian creates the child’s login credentials during the registration process.

These credentials allow the child to access the book creation section of the platform.

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4.1 What packages are available?

DKK Publishing intends to offer the following package options:

• – 1 Book Package
• – 2 Book Package
• – 3 Book Package
• – 6 Book Package
• – 12 Book Package

Available packages and prices will be displayed on the DKK Publishing website.

4.2 Can children create a collection of books?

Yes. This is one of the main objectives of the system.

Children are encouraged to continue writing and creating books and gradually develop their own personal book collection.

4.3 Are Preset Theme and Create Your Own Story/Theme books the same price?

No. This option costs more.

Create Your Own Story/Theme books require DKK Publishing to create customised illustrations based on the child’s submitted storyline. This involves substantially more design and illustration work and will therefore cost more.

The applicable price will be displayed when the package is selected.

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5.1 What is a Preset Theme?

A Preset Theme provides a pre-designed picture-guided storyline.

Examples may include themes such as:

• – Fun At the Beach
• – The Grumpy Dragon, etc.

5.2 How does a picture-guided storyline work?

Pictures are presented to the child throughout the book.

The child looks at each picture, interprets what they believe is happening and creates their own words or sentences to tell the story.

5.3 Does DKK Publishing write the child’s story?

No.

The purpose of the system is for the child to create the story.

The pictures provide inspiration and guidance, but the child’s words form their story.

5.4 Can two children use the same Preset Theme and create different stories?

Yes.

Children can interpret pictures differently, use different vocabulary, create different character interactions and tell the story in their own way.

This means children using the same picture theme can produce very different stories.

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6.1 What is the Create Your Own Story/Theme option?

This option gives the child greater creative freedom.

The child is provided with a virtual blank canvas where they can create their own book title and write/type their own storyline.

6.2 Who creates the illustrations?

DKK Publishing creates illustrations based on the written storyline submitted by the child.

6.3 Why does this option cost more?

Custom illustrations require additional creative, design and production work.

Each storyline must be interpreted and suitable illustrations created for the individual book.

6.4 Will the illustrations look exactly as the child imagined them?

DKK Publishing will use the submitted storyline as the basis for creating appropriate illustrations.

However, artistic interpretation is required when converting written descriptions into illustrations, and the final artwork may therefore differ from the exact image the child or parent imagined.

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7.1 How does my child start creating a book?

The child logs into their child account using the username and password created by the parent/legal guardian.

They can then access the Story Book Creator.

7.2 Can the child type their own story?

Yes.

The platform is designed for children to enter their own words and sentences.

7.3 Should parents help their child?

Parents are encouraged to provide age-appropriate support where necessary, particularly for younger children.

However, wherever possible, the child’s own ideas, imagination and wording should be encouraged so that the finished book reflects the child’s creativity.

7.4 Does spelling and grammar have to be perfect?

Children are encouraged to develop their writing abilities through the process.

Parents should review the available package and publishing options to understand what editing or preparation, if any, is included before publication.

7.5 What happens when the child finishes the book?

Once the book is complete and ready to proceed, the applicable publishing process can be initiated through the website.

Parents should carefully review the book and all information before the final publishing submission is made.

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8.1 What happens when we click Publish?

Clicking Publish begins the process of preparing the completed book for publication, ISBN processing where applicable, manufacturing/printing and delivery.

Parents should therefore make sure the book is complete and ready before proceeding.

8.2 Can we make changes after clicking Publish?

Parents should treat the Publish action as a final submission.

Once production or publishing work has commenced, changes may not be possible and could result in additional charges and/or delays where changes can be accommodated.

8.3 Should I check the book before clicking Publish?

Yes.

The parent/legal guardian should carefully check the book, including the child’s story, title and other information, before final submission.

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9.1 What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number used to identify a published book.

9.2 Who applies for the ISBN?

Where an ISBN is applicable to the publication, DKK Publishing will manage the ISBN application process.

9.3 How long does an ISBN application take?

An ISBN application may take up to approximately three weeks, depending on the workload and processing times of the relevant issuing authority.

These processing times are outside DKK Publishing’s direct control.

9.4 Is the child recognised as the author?

Yes. The child who creates the story is identified as the author of their story/book, subject to DKK Publishing’s applicable publishing terms and conditions.

9.5 Will DKK Publishing print a physical book?

Yes.

The relevant package includes the production of physical book copy according to the package purchased.

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10.1 Who is the author of the story?

The child who creates the story is the author.

10.2 Who owns the copyright in the child’s story?

The child’s original story is treated as the child’s authored work, subject to the publishing permissions and licences granted to DKK Publishing by the parent/legal guardian under the applicable Terms and Conditions.

10.3 Who owns DKK Publishing’s illustrations, themes and platform materials?

DKK Publishing’s existing illustrations, picture-guided themes, templates, designs, software, branding and other proprietary material remain subject to DKK Publishing’s applicable intellectual property rights.

Custom illustrations created by DKK Publishing are also subject to the applicable publishing agreement and Terms and Conditions.

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11.1 Will my child’s book be available for other people to buy?

No. DKK Publishing is a closed creative platform – your child creates their book for themselves and their family. The catalogue shows published works as a showcase; books are not offered for sale.

11.2 Can family and friends purchase additional copies?

Not at this stage. Additional copies are not sold – family and friends can order their own package and create their very own book!

11.3 Can members of the public purchase the book?

Yes, where the book has been made available for public sale through DKK Publishing – www.dkkpublishing.com/ books for sale

11.4 Will my child receive royalties?

Not at this stage. Because books are not sold, royalties do not apply today. If DKK Publishing ever introduces public sales, the royalty terms will be presented to the parent before any book is listed.

11.5 Is the original package copy considered a royalty sale?

Not applicable today – the copies in your package are your child’s own keepsake copies.

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12.1 How do I pay?

Payment is initiated through the parent/legal guardian account.

When proceeding to payment, the user will be redirected to a secure payment portal operated by Yoco.

12.2 Can my child access my payment information?

No.

The child’s login does not provide access to the parent’s payment information or payment methods.

12.3 Does DKK Publishing store my card details?

Payment card information is handled through the applicable payment service provider. Please refer to the relevant payment and privacy information displayed during the payment process for details regarding payment data.

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13.1 How long does it take to manufacture a customised book?

Manufacturing/production of a customised book can generally take approximately two to three weeks, depending on workload and the nature of the book.

13.2 Does this include the ISBN application period?

Not necessarily.

ISBN processing and manufacturing are different parts of the publishing process and processing times may vary.

13.3 How long should I allow before receiving my book?

The estimated delivery lead time is generally four to five weeks from the date the completed book is submitted for publication by clicking Publish, subject to ISBN processing, production workload, delivery conditions and other circumstances that may affect processing.

These timeframes are estimates and should not be regarded as guaranteed delivery dates.

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14.1 Is delivery included in the package price?

Delivery is included in the package price unless otherwise stipulated.

14.2 Is the included delivery door-to-door?

No.

The standard included delivery service is not a door-to-door courier service.

This allows DKK Publishing to keep package and delivery costs affordable.

14.3 What is the default delivery method?

The default delivery method is the PUDO Locker system.

14.4 What is the secondary delivery method?

Where the default method cannot reasonably be used or delivery issues arise, DKK Publishing may use PAXI through PEP Stores as a secondary delivery method.

14.5 Where will my parcel be delivered?

Where PUDO or PAXI is used, delivery will generally be arranged to an appropriate collection location based on the address/details supplied by the parent/legal guardian during registration.

14.6 Do I have to collect the parcel?

Yes.

It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian or authorised recipient to collect the parcel from the applicable collection point within the collection period specified by the delivery provider.

14.7 What happens if I don’t collect the parcel?

Failure to collect a parcel within the delivery provider’s specified collection period may result in the parcel being returned or additional delivery costs being incurred.

Any additional delivery or re-delivery charges arising from failure to collect may be payable by the parent/legal guardian.

14.8 Can I request door-to-door delivery?

If DKK Publishing makes a door-to-door courier option available, it may be offered at an additional cost.

Door-to-door delivery is not included in the standard package unless expressly stated otherwise.

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15.1 Can the books be delivered to my child’s school?

School collection is available only where the school has partnered with DKK Publishing and the applicable programme/package supports school delivery.

15.2 How does school delivery work?

Where multiple children from the same participating school use the DKK Publishing Story Book Creator, DKK Publishing may combine books into bulk deliveries to the school.

15.3 Why are school orders delivered together?

Bulk delivery helps reduce logistics and delivery costs and allows books for participating children to be delivered efficiently.

15.4 Will my child’s book be delivered separately from the other children’s books?

Not necessarily.

Where school collection applies, books may be included in a bulk shipment to the school.

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16.1 How is the 1 Book Package delivered?

The single completed book will be delivered using the applicable delivery method, normally to the designated PUDO collection point.

16.2 How is the 2 Book Package delivered?

Both books will be delivered together.

The two books are not ordinarily dispatched separately.

16.3 How is the 3 Book Package delivered?

All three books will be delivered together.

16.4 How is the 6 Book Package delivered?

The 6 Book Package is divided into two deliveries:

Delivery 1: Books 1–3

Delivery 2: Books 4–6

16.5 How is the 12 Book Package delivered?

The 12 Book Package is divided into four deliveries:

Delivery 1: Books 1–3

Delivery 2: Books 4–6

Delivery 3: Books 7–9

Delivery 4: Books 10–12

16.6 Why are the 6 and 12 Book Packages delivered in stages?

These packages are intended to allow children to progressively create their own collection of books.

Staged deliveries also allow completed groups of books to be processed and delivered according to the package structure.

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17.1 Do I need to create all the books immediately?

The applicable package rules will determine how books can be created and submitted.

Children are encouraged to take their time and enjoy the creative process rather than rushing through their books.

17.2 Will all books in a multi-book package automatically arrive separately?

No.

The delivery schedule depends on the package purchased.

The 2 Book and 3 Book Packages are delivered together, while the 6 Book and 12 Book Packages are delivered in stages as described above.

17.3 When will the delivery lead time begin for each staged delivery?

For staged packages, production and delivery timing should be calculated in relation