Book firm's software-generated stories carve a niche in children's publishing

New York

ONE of the best presents that Asi Sharabi ever got was a bad book.

It was a customised book for his three-year old daughter, Thalia, and apart from the initial thrill of seeing her name in the story, there was not much to distinguish it from a mediocre mass-produced picture book. "It was very underwhelming," Mr Sharabi said.

But it eventually led to an idea: What if you could use technology to fashion a story for each young reader and create a more sophisticated children's book? Mr Sharabi consulted two friends, a writer and a technologist, and they decided to try it themselves.

They came up with a story about a child who has forgotten his or her name and goes on a journey to find it, encountering creatures and characters that provide clues. A boy named Sam, f…