Lapp Helps Make Kids the Heroes of Their Own Story Through Personalized Tales
Jason, a 40-year-old father from Bradley Stoke in Bristol, is changing how children read with Lapp—his personalized story app that helps make kids the heroes of their own story. A former Royal Marine turned tattoo artist, Jason was inspired by his son’s growing interest in screens. Wanting to use technology for good, he created Lapp to promote confidence, imagination, and literacy. By placing children at the center of each tale, Lapp empowers kids to see themselves as heroes, helping them build emotional resilience and face real-life challenges with courage.
Launched in August 2023, Lapp is the product of 18 months of collaboration with child psychologists, writers, and educators. The app allows children to upload their own photos, select emotions, and choose skin tone—creating personalized, empowering narratives where they become the heroes of their own story. These custom stories help children process emotions and develop resilience by walking through challenging situations in a safe, imaginative way.
Whether it’s a first day at school or everyday worries, Lapp helps make kids the heroes of their own story by guiding them to see themselves as brave, capable, and resourceful. “When a child sees themselves solving problems in a story, real-life situations feel less intimidating,” says Jason. The app is free to download, ad-free, and offers optional upgrades for deeper customization and additional educational tools.
By giving children ownership of their narratives, Lapp turns kids into heroes of their own story, nurturing emotional strength, literacy, and self-belief in the digital age..
Turning Reading into an Adventure Where Kids Are the Heroes
I want to balance screen time with real-world engagement,” Jason explains. When kids become the heroes of their own story, seeing themselves overcome challenges like a first day at school in a story can reduce fear and build emotional resilience in real life.
“I want to balance screen time with real-world engagement,” Jason explains. Seeing themselves handle a first day at school in a story helps children feel less afraid when it happens in real life.
From Screen Time to Story Time
Jason acknowledges that screens play a major role in children’s lives today, but he believes we can use technology as a force for good. By using Lapp, parents can turn passive screen time into interactive, meaningful storytelling sessions.
The app is currently available for iPads, with plans to expand to iPhones and Android devices. Lapp is free and ad-free, with optional subscriptions for advanced story customization and extra educational tools.
Supporting Emotional Growth Through Storytelling
Lapp’s design goes beyond entertainment—it’s intentionally built to support emotional development. Each personalized story helps make kids the heroes of their own story, addressing everyday childhood anxieties such as starting school, making new friends, or handling unfamiliar situations. By seeing themselves overcome challenges in a narrative, children gain the emotional tools and confidence to face real-life experiences with resilience.
Jason plans to expand the app to better support children with special educational needs. “This is about inclusion,” he says, “and helping every child see themselves as capable, brave, and resourceful.”
Family Feedback: Real Impact, Real Pride
Jason’s children, Theo and Olive, have been enthusiastic users of the app. “Theo told me, ‘I’m really proud of you and excited for you, Daddy.’ That meant everything to me,” Jason shares. His four-year-old daughter Olive also loves the experience, often calling her personalized story “her favorite part of the day.” For Jason, seeing his kids become the heroes of their own story is the most rewarding part. By making kids the heroes of their own story, Lapp reinforces self-esteem and makes storytelling a truly personal journey.
Looking Ahead: Connecting Children Through Shared Stories
The journey of building Lapp was long and challenging, but Jason is determined to continue its growth. Future updates include options for children to read and play with friends in shared storytelling experiences.
“Creating this app has been a labor of love,” Jason reflects. “Even if it failed, I knew I was doing something that mattered. Now, I just hope it inspires more parents to see the power of storytelling.”
With a mission rooted in empathy, creativity, and literacy, Lapp isn’t just another app—it’s a gateway for children to explore their emotions, build confidence, and see themselves as heroes in their own lives.
