Questions, answered plainly.

No. These are stories that families, teachers and therapists use to start conversations and practise calm habits. They aren't a treatment, and they don't replace support from the people who care for your child.

Any child who thinks deeply, feels strongly and does better when the world slows down. The books don't label anyone, and we never ask about a diagnosis.

Read aloud from about 7, read alone from about 9, and enjoyed up to 12. Book One is the gentlest start. Books Two to Four are longer chapter books of about 12,000 words each.

No. Book One teaches how every piece moves, and each chapter adds one idea. Children who already play will recognise real openings, forks and endgames.

Four books are written: The Quiet Mind and the Kingdom of Sixty-Four Squares, The Shadow King, The Rising King and The Quiet King. Book Five, The Sheriff of the Black Squares, is being written, and pre-orders open at launch.

Because in Matthew's family they are. Chip and Dale are the family's two black labradors, and in the books they wear red capes and oversized helmets. In a Named Edition, your own pets can take their place.

The first printing of the Named Edition, before the fully illustrated edition. It has painted covers, chess diagrams in every chapter and the whole personalised story, and every copy carries a numbered Founders' bookplate. When the illustrated edition arrives, Founders buyers are offered an illustrated copy, with a cover child who looks like theirs, for AU$55.

Yes. With they/them, the verbs change too ("they were", not "they was"), so every they/them edition is checked by a person before printing. That check is included in the delivery time.

Names up to 12 letters fit the cover on one line, and up to 18 letters fit on two. For longer names, add a nickname for the cover and the story still uses the full name. The preview shows the name exactly as it will print.

Yes. The letters can be signed by Dad, Mum, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Pop, or any name you type. You can also add a second copy for the grandparents, and a gift box with a handwritten card.

No. The portrait can be painted from your cover choices and a written description. If you want to send photos, we ask for your separate consent first. Only the illustrator uses them, and they're deleted 30 days after you approve the final proof. We never use a child's photo or story in marketing.

The store opens at launch. Join Letters from the King and you hear first.

A first name or chosen name, the words the story should use, the family and pet names you want on the board, and the cover look. We don't need a surname, school, address or any health details. See the children's information section of our privacy policy.

Personalised books are made to order, so they can't be returned for a change of mind once you've approved the proof, and digital editions are the same once delivered. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law always apply: if a book is faulty or not as described, you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund, and if it doesn't match your approved proof, we'll reprint it.

That's the plan. Shipping countries and times will be confirmed before the store opens.