Sometimes your child presses "Make it" and gets a message instead of a book. Below is what each message means and what you can do. A refused book uses none of your books.
"The story machine is having a little rest. Try again soon."
We have paused the making of new books for a while, for everyone. Books that were already being made still finish. While the pause lasts, your child's home screen may also say "Making books is having a rest today. Your books are all still here."
There is nothing to change on your side. Your child can try again later.
"That idea is turned off for this reader. Try another one."
Your child picked a character, a place or a theme that is on their "Never include" list, and can pick something else. To change the list, go to Readers, then your child, then Safety, and find "What stories can include". Topics to leave out explains how the list works.
A message asking for a different idea
Messages such as "Let's try a different idea for this story.", "Give me a moment with this one." or "Let's keep it to story ideas. Try picking some characters and a place." mean our checks did not accept what was asked for, often something your child wrote as the beginning of their story. Your child can choose different pictures or write their beginning another way. What your child can type explains the checks, and Safety alerts explains when we tell you about something your child wrote.
"That is a lot of stories for one day. There will be more tomorrow."
Each reader can start only a certain number of books in a day. The count covers the last 24 hours, so it frees up gradually rather than at midnight. An idea our checks refused does not count toward it. Your child can read their books and make another later.
"Some stories are already being made. This one can start when they are done."
Only a few books can be made at once for one family. The count includes books being made for every reader in your family, any weekly episodes, and any picture you asked us to draw again. Once one of them is finished, your child can start another. If a book seems to be taking a long time, see A book is taking a while.
"There are no books left. A grown-up can add more."
There are not enough books left for this one. A picture book needs 1 and a chapter book needs 2, so a reader aged 7 or over can see this message while one book is still left.
You can:
- Add books from Plan and books. Extra books never expire; see Extra books.
- Wait for your monthly books to start again; see Your monthly books.
- Choose a plan, if you do not have one; see Sprout and Grove.
If a payment on your plan has not gone through, this month's books cannot be used until it does, but books you bought still can. Failed payments explains what to do.
"Time for a rest. Your books will be here later."
Your child has reached the daily reading limit you set for them. When the limit is reached, the book maker shows this message instead of the five questions. To change the limit, go to Readers, then your child, then Safety, and find "Daily limit in minutes". Time limits and bedtime explains how the limit is counted.
"Too many attempts. Please wait and try again."
Your child has tried to start a lot of books in a short time. Waiting a while fixes it.
"New stories are paused on this account. A grown-up should write to us."
We have paused new books on your account. Please write to us through Help in your dashboard.
"That drawing is not ready yet. Pick another one."
The drawing your child picked can no longer be used. Your child can pick another character. Turning your child's drawing into a hero explains how drawings are checked.
On the page for writing a beginning
The page where your child writes their own beginning has messages of its own:
- "That is a lovely long beginning. Shall we keep just the first few sentences?" means the beginning is longer than we can take. Shortening it is enough.
- "That is a lot of writing. Let's make this one first." means they have sent a lot in a short time. Waiting a while is enough.
- "Let's pick the pictures today. I will write with you soon." means writing a beginning is paused for now. Your child can still make a book with the pictures.
If the message is "Something went wrong. Ask a grown-up.", try again in a moment. If a message is not listed here, or keeps coming back, ask us through Help in your dashboard. If you are not signed in, write to support@taletykes.com.