As the new year rolls in, many of us take a moment to set fresh goals and explore new opportunities. If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a children’s author, there’s no better time than now to start.
Writing for children can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering the chance to inspire young minds and create stories that stick with readers for a lifetime.
If you’re completely new to the world of children’s books, don’t worry! This guide will help you take your first steps toward crafting a story that’s perfect for little readers.
Understand Your Audience
Children’s books vary widely depending on the age group you want to write for. Before you put pen to paper, take time to learn about the audience:
Simple, rhythmic text with captivating illustrations. These books often have 500 words or less.
Short chapters and simple sentences that help children transition from picture books to longer reads.
More developed plots, complex characters, and themes, but still appropriate for young minds.
Pick the age group that resonates with you and focus your efforts there.
Do Your Research
Before you start writing, immerse yourself in children’s literature. Visit your local library or bookstore and read popular books for your chosen age group. Perhaps even re-visit your favourite books from your childhood and try to see what made you fall in love with them. Pay attention to:
Reading books can give you insight into what works and inspire your own ideas. You can never read enough!
Start with a Simple Idea
You don’t need an elaborate plot to create a great children’s book. Many successful stories start with a simple concept that is executed well. Some ideas could be...
• A bedtime routine that goes hilariously wrong
• A brave child rescuing a small insect
• An animal learning an important lesson about friendship
Think about what you loved as a child or observe the interests of kids you know. Jot down a few ideas and pick the one that excites you most. Don’t be afraid to run any ideas past younger audiences in the family; what do they react to the most? Do they find some subjects boring?
Keep It Short and Sweet
Children’s attention spans are short, so your story needs to be engaging from the start to keep them interested. Here are some tips to keep your writing tight:
• Start with action or a problem to jump right into fun and hook your readers early.
• Avoid overly complex sentences or advanced vocabulary and keep language simple so it is easy to follow, no matter the reader’s age.
• Edit ruthlessly: every word should earn its place in the story. If it doesn’t add to the advancement of the plot; leave it out. Filler words don’t do your book any justice and only help you lose reader’s with shorter attention spans.
Create Relatable Characters
Children connect best with characters they can see a bit of themselves in, whether that is in appearance, attitude or situation. Make your characters relatable by giving them clear goals, emotions, and challenges that align with the target age range you are writing for.
Learn About Illustrations
If you’re writing a picture book, remember that the illustrations will carry much of the story. While you don’t need to be an artist, learning about the craft will ensure you make better decisions when hiring one. Here are some tips to help you connect with an illustrator.
• Include scenes that lend themselves to strong images and fun illustrations.
• Leave room for your artist’s interpretation, they are the expert after all. It can be tempting to describe everything but by letting the illustrator bring your words to life you’ll be suprised how they can create something wonderful you didn’t even think of.
• Work with professionals. Take time to research and hire a talented illustrator whose style matches your vision. Hiring cheap and cutting corners by letting next door’s son draw your pictures is a recipe for disaster and only costs you more in the long run.
Hiring an illustrator can be daunting if you don’t know what the going rate per illustration is. We recommend using this link from The Association of Illustrators to get up to date pricing rates and other financial resources.
Write, Revise, and Repeat
Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to exist. Once you’ve written your story, step away from it for a day or two, then come back and revise with a fresh perspective. Ask yourself:
• Does the story flow well?
• Are the characters engaging?
• Is the language age-appropriate?
Share your draft with friends, family, or a critique group to get feedback and try to be open minded when listening to what people say.
Explore Publishing Options
When your manuscript is polished and ready, it’s time to think about publishing. There are two main routes that most people choose from:
Both options have pros and cons, so choose the one that aligns with your goals.
Believe in Your Story
Finally, the most important step is to believe in your story and its potential to bring joy, laughter, and inspiration to young readers. Remember that every great children’s author started where you are now—with a dream and the courage to pursue it.
Becoming a children’s author is an exciting and meaningful goal. By taking it step by step—understanding your audience, honing your craft, and exploring publishing carefully—you’ll be well on your way to creating a story that children will cherish for years to come.
So, grab your notebook, let your imagination run wild, and start crafting your first children’s book today. Who knows? By next year, your story might just be sitting on a child’s bookshelf, inspiring their dreams to write their very own book too.
Happy writing! ✨
For more information about publishing your book or to hire us for any of our author services, pop us an email and we'd be happy to chat.