Smartphones have become part of everyday parenting. They’re used to answer messages, manage calendars, capture family photos, navigate trips, and handle countless daily tasks. But for parents of young children, constantly reaching for a phone can also mean placing it directly in a baby’s line of sight.
The Peek A Book is a product designed around that modern reality. Rather than asking parents to put their phones away completely, it hides a smartphone inside what looks like an ordinary hardcover book, allowing quick phone checks while keeping the device less visually prominent.
It’s a simple idea that combines a hidden phone holder with reusable activity pages in a single product.
A hidden compartment for your smartphone
From the outside, The Peek A Book resembles a hardcover book. Open it up, and you’ll find a compartment designed to hold a smartphone securely inside.
The phone remains accessible to the user through the opening, making it possible to glance at notifications, read messages, or quickly respond to emails without holding the phone openly in front of a child.
Instead of seeing a smartphone, children simply see what appears to be a book.
The company describes this as a way to make everyday phone use less visually distracting while still allowing parents to stay connected when needed.
Why the idea was created
According to the company, babies naturally observe and imitate the people around them. Because smartphones have become such a visible part of everyday life, The Peek A Book was created to reduce children’s visible exposure to them during routine interactions.
Rather than expecting parents to disconnect entirely, the product is intended as a practical compromise for moments when checking a phone is unavoidable.
It’s worth noting that while research has linked excessive direct screen use in young children with developmental concerns, the broader effects of simply seeing parents use smartphones remain an evolving area of research. The Peek A Book’s claims should therefore be understood as the company’s intended purpose rather than established clinical evidence.
It also doubles as a reusable activity book
The hidden phone holder is only one part of the design.
The Peek A Book also includes 10 reusable whiteboard pages, allowing children to draw, scribble, and practice using dry-erase markers before wiping the pages clean and using them again.
This gives the product an additional purpose beyond holding a smartphone. Instead of becoming a single-use novelty, it can continue serving as a reusable activity book during everyday play.
Because the pages can be erased repeatedly, there’s no need to replace them after each use.
Built for everyday parenting
The Peek A Book is marketed primarily for parents with babies and young children.
Its design is intended for those everyday moments when a parent may need to briefly check their phone while spending time with their child, such as:
- Playing together at home
- Waiting during appointments
- Traveling
- Sitting in cafés or restaurants
- Everyday family outings
The goal isn’t to eliminate smartphone use, but to make the phone itself less visually noticeable during those interactions.
A straightforward, low-tech solution
Unlike many modern parenting products, The Peek A Book doesn’t rely on electronics or companion apps.
There are no batteries to charge, no Bluetooth connection, and no software to install.
Its functionality comes entirely from its physical design—a hardcover book with a concealed smartphone compartment and reusable whiteboard pages.
That simplicity means there’s virtually no setup. Parents simply place their phone inside and use the book as intended.
Encouraging more intentional phone use
Modern smartphones serve many purposes beyond entertainment. They’re cameras, communication devices, payment tools, navigation systems, and work devices all at once.
The Peek A Book doesn’t attempt to replace any of those functions.
Instead, it offers an alternative way to use a phone around babies by making the device itself less visually prominent.
Whether that ultimately changes a child’s relationship with technology is impossible to measure, but the product reflects a growing interest among parents in becoming more intentional about how—and how visibly—they use smartphones around young children.
Pricing and availability
At the time of writing, The Peek A Book is available in two purchasing options through the company’s website:
- The Peek A Book: US$35
- The Peek A Book Bundle (2 pcs): US$59 (regular price US$70)
Final thoughts
The Peek A Book approaches a familiar parenting challenge with an uncomplicated idea. Instead of introducing more technology, it uses a simple physical design to conceal one of the devices parents already carry every day.
By combining a hidden smartphone holder with reusable whiteboard pages, it offers both a practical storage solution and an activity children can continue using long after the phone has been put away.
Whether parents see it as a useful parenting accessory or simply a creative design concept, The Peek A Book demonstrates how a small change in presentation can offer a different way of thinking about everyday smartphone use.
Source: Peek A Book
