How to Write and Publish a Children’s Book: The Complete Guide
Think back on your favorite memories from your early years. Whether it’s the joy of blowing out candles on a birthday cake or the exhilaration of mastering the art of riding a bicycle, childhood is filled with unforgettable moments. Among these memories, one enduring aspect stands out for both children and adults: the shared activity of reading.
From your earliest years, caregivers probably spent time nurturing your literacy skills, patiently guiding you through each letter and sound in picture books. As you grew, bedtime became synonymous with a beloved story, its well-worn pages a testament to countless readings and heartfelt connections. Eventually, you ventured into the world of chapter books, diving into new stories, brimming with imagination and adventure, and your love for reading only blossomed from there. Now, you might even enjoy spending time with the little ones in your life, sharing stories, and reading picture books. Without the contributions of writers and publishers of children’s literature, we wouldn’t have these special moments to enjoy for generations to come.
If you’re here, chances are you’re eager to join the vibrant community of authors enriching the lives of children and families with captivating stories. In this guide, we’ll explore the process of writing, refining, and publishing a children’s book.
Children’s Books vs. Other Genres
Before we discuss the essentials of writing a children’s book, let’s examine what distinguishes children’s literature from other genres. While it’s clear that children’s books are tailored for young readers, this dynamic genre has additional nuances.
Language
Language in children’s books should correspond to the targeted age group. You should find simple and enjoyable wording that also respects the reader’s intelligence, fostering learning and comprehension. Children’s book language typically includes short, active, rhyming sentences to create playful, interactive, and imaginative reading experiences. For older readers, authors typically introduce new vocabulary paired with longer, more complex dialogue to enhance the depth of the plot and characters.
Another quality of children’s books is the traditional large font size and spacing. This element also helps promote and improve reading comprehension for young minds by allowing little eyes to slow down and track words better.
Illustrations
Illustrations add the visual allure that keeps young readers engaged while helping them understand the story’s message and plot. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and illustrations play a pivotal role in almost every children’s book you encounter.
Planning a Children’s Book
Many people underestimate the challenge of writing a children’s book. The common misconception is that they’re just short, simple, and silly stories. However, writing any type of book requires thorough research, dedication, and time to tell a compelling story. And if you’ve spent any time with kids, you know you know what tough critics they can be.
Like any big project, breaking it down into steps can help keep things flowing, and before you know it, you’ll have a finished children’s book. Keep reading for our recommended approach to writing your children’s book.
Determine Your Age Group
Before you start writing a kid’s book, identify the age range of your target readers. You may want to develop an educational resource for toddlers, such as a board book, or lead middle schoolers through adventurous tales in a chapter book. The decision is yours! Understanding the age group will steer your choice of book type, format, and illustrations as you navigate the publishing journey.
Ages 0-5 Years Old
For the tiniest readers, board books are an excellent introduction to reading. Named for their durable material — typically thick, sturdy cardboard — board books can withstand rough handling or even chewing. They often include special features like pop-ups, cut-outs, and textures, serving as early learning aids to help babies and toddlers grasp fundamental concepts such as colors, shapes, and letters. Board books should be anywhere from 8-24 pages. If you want to explore Print on Demand options when publishing a children’s book, a short, hardback book may be the best format.
Ages 4-7 Years Old
Children usually start reading around 6 or 7 and are most interested in picture books. These books are a great progression from board books because they contain more text but still have enough illustrations to captivate young minds. Parents may still read these stories aloud, or children may feel confident enough to read most of the book independently. When writing a children’s picture book, aim to keep it between 32-48 pages.
Ages 8-11 Years Old
As children become independent readers, they will often transition to chapter books. These types of books prioritize text over illustrations. If there are illustrations, they might be simple black-and-white images preceding each chapter or scattered throughout. Chapter books offer a greater challenge for advancing readers, introducing more complex vocabulary and reading comprehension tasks. Additionally, you may encounter a series of chapter books featuring recurring characters, catering to children’s growing interest in character development and intricate plots. Chapter books should be anywhere from 48-80 pages.
Ages 12 and Over
In this age bracket, children often lean towards longer chapter books like Harry Potter, which may delve into young adult novels. Young adult (YA) literature straddles the boundary between teen and adult fiction. They typically range from 40,000 to 80,000 words and rarely include illustrations besides the cover design. YA books typically explore more mature themes such as relationships, conflict, and the challenges of adolescence. Young adult novels are generally 160-175+ pages long.
Do Research on Your Target Audience
Children’s book writers may have a vision of exactly what their book is about and who it’s for before they even start writing. Other authors may just want to reach children through literature. If you fall into the second category, following these tips can help you learn how to start writing a children’s book and pinpoint your goals.
Hang out With Kids of That Age Group
Engaging with the children in your life provides valuable insights into their current reading preferences and future interests. Dedicate time to talk with nieces, nephews, neighbors, and others. While children offer inspiration for understanding your audience, it’s often adults who make the actual book purchases. Take the opportunity to sit down with parents and discuss their choices when buying books for their children. You can also visit your local library and consult with librarians to learn about popular recommendations and the most borrowed books among kids.
Read Popular Books
Explore your neighborhood independent bookstore to discover what fellow children’s book authors are creating. Getting involved in bookstore events is also an excellent opportunity to observe successful indie authors who generate sales through signings and engagements. This insight will be invaluable when it’s time to promote your own children’s book.
Decide Which Voice You’re Using
Once you’ve identified your target audience and conducted your research, there’s another vital aspect to address in the planning phase: selecting your point of view. This decision hinges on defining your narrator and their perspective within the story. If the narrator is a character within the story, it’s first-person perspective. If they’re narrating events involving other characters, it’s third-person perspective. Consider how you want your readers to perceive the unfolding story and which narrative voice aligns best with your characters, plot, and overarching theme.
Rhyme
When writing a children’s book, you don’t have to follow a rhyme scheme, but consistency and quality are essential if you do. Young children are drawn to rhythm and rhyme, which captivate their attention and encourage anticipation of the next word. Parents also love it because it resonates so well with their children.
Whichever approach you choose — rhyme or no rhyme — maintain consistency throughout your narrative. Below are five popular rhyming schemes for children’s books:
Couplet (AA): This rhyme scheme involves pairs of lines that rhyme. Each couplet stands as a complete thought or idea.
Example: A bouncy frog upon a log
Was visited by a spotted dog
Alternate rhyme (ABAB): This scheme uses alternating rhymes. The first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme separately.
Example: There once was a mouse (A) In a land so fair (B) Who lived in a house (A) with a friendly bear (B).
Monorhyme (AAAA): Every line in the verse rhymes, which creates a consistent sound pattern throughout.
Example: In the green forest land
The trees proudly stand
With a squirrel’s nest on hand
And the weather so bland
Limerick (AABBA): This scheme is commonly used for humorous poems. The first, second, and fifth lines have three stressed syllables and end rhymes, while the third and fourth lines have two stressed syllables and end rhymes.
Example: There once was a cat from France (A) Who loved to break out in dance. (A) He’d leap and he’d prance (B) With a joyful expanse (B) And leave all the onlookers entranced (A).
Ballad (ABCB): In this scheme, the first and third lines often have four stressed syllables, while the second and fourth lines have three stressed syllables. The second and fourth lines typically rhyme.
Example: There once was a dog named Jack (A) Who wore a coat of black. (B) He chased a cat named Zack (C) Through the alley, and then back (B).
Choose Your Title Carefully
Choosing the perfect title can seem daunting when writing a children’s book because there are so many choices. However, by considering the following guidelines, you can craft a remarkable and genuine title that harmonizes seamlessly with your story:
- Highlight a pivotal moment or the overarching theme.
- Incorporate your protagonist’s name.
- Extract a poignant line directly from the narrative.
- Integrate a well-known expression.
- Employ a clever play on words.
- Conceal a subtle, deeper meaning within the title.
Because of the digital nature of our world today, keywords can be beneficial in crafting an impactful title for self-published books. They act as descriptive terms within an information retrieval system, signifying the essence of the document’s content.
Subtitles offer an opportunity to further engage readers and convey the unique selling points of the story, making it more discoverable and appealing to a broader audience. By combining thoughtful keyword research with creative subtitle usage, authors can enhance the visibility and appeal of their children’s book titles, fostering excitement and anticipation among young readers and their families.
Writing a Children’s Book
Now that you’ve decided on the age range, voice, rhyme, and title, it’s time to get your thoughts on paper. Here are some steps for writing a kid’s book.
Step 1 Get Your Reader’s Attention
In our current landscape, children spend a lot of time on screens, with movies, shows, and videos holding a magnetic allure that makes redirecting their attention a formidable task. Considering this challenge, it’s essential to kickstart your children’s book with a captivating scene to maintain your young reader’s interest. Whether brimming with action or suspense, the goal is to immediately captivate them, ensuring they remain engrossed and eager to discover the unfolding plot.
Step 2 Create Unique Characters
Though the plot may captivate and amuse children, the characters are often the most significant element that resonates with your readers. Their choices and, more importantly, their emotional responses to events linger in our minds long after reading. As readers, we connect with the characters’ emotions because feelings are universal.
It’s also important to include characters of different ages, races, and abilities in children’s books. This shows kids that their experiences are recognized and helps them feel like they belong. When they read about characters who are like them doing amazing things, it makes them feel like they can also do great things, which boosts their confidence.
Step 3 Engage Your Reader
It’s wonderful to have imaginative fictional characters and plots in children’s books, but keeping the story relatable to children is crucial for maintaining their interest. If your characters or plot seem inconsistent or outlandish, you risk losing your reader. Finding a balance between real-life scenarios and imaginative elements can create an engaging story that feels both captivating and believable.
Character arcs are another great way to not only keep your reader invested in the plot but also to teach a lesson or shed light on the book’s theme. A character arc is when a character goes through a significant change in the story. A few examples are as follows:
The Growth Arc: A timid and shy character learns to overcome their fears and gain confidence through various challenges they face in the story, ultimately becoming more self-assured and outgoing by the end.
The Redemption Arc: A character who starts off selfish or mean-spirited gradually learns the value of kindness and empathy as they interact with others. These new traits lead to a transformation, where the character becomes a better friend or sibling.
The Discovery Arc: A curious protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering hidden talents, passions, or aspects of their identity that they were previously unaware of, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
The Friendship Arc: A character who initially feels isolated or lonely learns the importance of friendship and connection as they form meaningful bonds with others throughout the story, ultimately finding a sense of belonging and acceptance.
The Courage Arc: A character faces daunting challenges or obstacles that require bravery and determination to overcome. Through their journey, they learn to confront their fears and doubts, ultimately emerging stronger and more resilient because of their courage.
Step 4 Avoid Being Wordy
When writing a children’s book, it’s important to strike a balance in your wording. Don’t overwhelm young readers with excessive adverbs and adjectives, as they can clutter sentences and hinder comprehension. Instead, use short, descriptive sentences that paint a vivid picture without overwhelming them. Keep the language clear and concise, allowing the story to flow smoothly and engage young imaginations effectively. By using simple and clear terms, you can create an enjoyable reading experience for children that encourages both comprehension and imagination.
Step 5 Have a Happy Ending
Crafting a compelling ending for your children’s book is essential for leaving a lasting impression on readers. By weaving suspense throughout your plot, you can heighten anticipation leading up to the climactic moment. This anticipation primes readers for impactful plot twists or climaxes, keeping them engaged and eager to revisit the story.
Empowering young protagonists by allowing them to take center stage is also crucial. In children’s literature, it’s refreshing to see kids as the main characters, navigating adventures and making decisions that shape the outcome. By letting the main character drive the narrative towards a happy ending, you give children the opportunity to see themselves as capable heroes, fostering imagination and empowerment.
Step 6 Reviewing and Editing
Congratulations! You’ve conquered the challenging task of writing a kid’s book. Now, it’s time for a crucial step that can elevate it from good to exceptional — editing.
After thoroughly reviewing and revising your content, ask a friend for help with editing. Start with trusted friends and family members, then consider looking for impartial feedback from strangers. Their fresh perspective can offer invaluable insights. For extra credit, look for someone with a background or talent in grammar and writing.
Since children are your primary audience, share your book with the little ones in your life. If you have teacher connections, consider providing copies to students for editing. This could even turn into an engaging classroom activity!
Step 7 Plan Your Illustrations
When writing and self-publishing a children’s book with illustrations, note good places to include the pictures. There’s a variety of illustration formats to consider, depending on how you envision the layout of your story:
Spot Illustrations: These are small illustrations that leave room for text, typically occupying a third of the page or less. They work well for chapter headings and vignettes.
Half Page: These illustrations take up about half a page based on your chosen trim size, leaving space for accompanying text on the rest of the page.
Full Page: Full-page illustrations depict a single large scene or a series of smaller scenes that fill an entire page. They provide space at the top or bottom for text, which can also be placed on the opposite page.
Two-Page Spread: This type of illustration spans across two pages, covering both left and right-facing pages. Space is left on one or both sides for text.
Publishing Your Children’s Book
You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting your manuscript, meticulously planning, writing, and refining it to perfection. If your ultimate goal is to share your story with the world, your next step involves delving into the realm of publishing.
Types of Publishing
Publishing entails the process of producing and distributing your book to the public for sale. There are two main paths you can take: Traditional and Self-Publishing.
Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to a publishing house, undergoing selection, and signing a contract that grants the publisher rights to your work. The publisher then handles editing, formatting, design, and marketing.
While traditional publishing can be appealing, it has drawbacks, such as relinquishing rights, potential delays, and possible disagreements with publishers.
If these concerns are deal-breakers for you, self-publishing a children’s book might be the best choice. Partnering with Palmetto Publishing empowers you to oversee editing, design, formatting, printing, and marketing, all while retaining 100% creative control and royalties.
Get Book Identifiers
An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a number that pinpoints a book, its edition, publisher, and physical properties. ISBNs facilitate cataloging, distribution, and sales and can apply to electronic or print versions of a book.
When it comes to book identifiers, it’s essential to obtain the necessary components for each publication. You’ll need to obtain ISBNs, barcodes, and a standard copyright page, either independently or in collaboration with your publisher. An ISBN is a unique 13-digit identifier that helps customers and retailers locate your book. Remember, each edition of your book (paperback, hardcover, e-book, and/or audiobook) requires its own ISBN and barcode.
Copyright Your Book
It’s also essential to include a standard copyright page within your book. If you wish to secure full copyright protection for your work, you can apply for it through copyright.gov.
Scan High-Resolution Illustrations
If you choose to use an illustrator outside of Palmetto Publishing, your illustrations must be digitally scanned as JPG or PNG if they’re not already digital. Scanning your images this way helps our design team properly format your book.
When working on your illustrations and scanning them, think about how big you want your book to be. For children’s books printed on demand, common sizes include 7×10, 8×10, 8.5×8.5, 8.5×11, and 11×8.5 (landscape).
Your illustrations should be a bit bigger than your chosen size, about 1/8″ extra on all sides. This extra bit, called “bleed,” ensures that your illustrations print correctly without cutting off any important parts. When scanning, strive for a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) for clear printing. Also, make sure your illustrations are in CMYK format, as this reflects the colors accurately in print.
Set a Publishing Budget
What’s great about self-publishing a children’s book with Palmetto Publishing is that all our services are customizable. You’ll have total control over what works best for you, your book, and your budget.
During our initial publishing call with authors, we always inquire about any budget constraints you may have, ensuring we tailor our services accordingly. Our goal is to deliver a top-notch product that leaves you feeling confident about your investment.
If you’re interested in a payment plan, we offer flexible options and are more than happy to discuss what aligns best with your budget and timeline.
Set a Marketing Plan
Once you’ve completed the publishing journey, it’s time to announce your status as a published author and promote your book. However, marketing isn’t just about selling your book — it’s about establishing your brand and fostering a community with your readers.
Initial Marketing Push
Here at Palmetto, we offer services to support your initial marketing efforts for your children’s book. We begin with a 30-minute consultation with your dedicated publishing consultant to tailor a strategy specifically to your objectives, genre, and expertise. Our seasoned guidance, coupled with your enthusiasm and determination, lays the groundwork for a successful marketing strategy that introduces your book to the world. Click here for some of the book marketing options we provide.
Long-Term Marketing
Marketing your book will be like tending to a garden. With lots of water, sunshine, and patience, you’ll see the fruits of your labor bloom. In the same way, your long-term marketing plan should include consistent activity and can sometimes take trial and error until you see results. Attending speaking events and book signings, utilizing social media, and using various other strategies will be essential tools to guarantee the long-term marketing success of your book.
Events
Before you start reaching out to schools and bookstores to promote your book through speaking engagements, take a moment to create a brand kit on your computer. An author media kit contains all the essential information and materials about you and your work. Platforms like Canva offer simple and user-friendly tools to develop your brand kit, adding a professional touch with easily accessible information that can increase your chances of securing more events.
Get Reviews
Remember, you won’t get what you don’t ask for. Don’t hesitate to request your readers to leave reviews for your book. Nowadays, many potential buyers rely on reviews before making a purchase decision. Reach out to family, friends, and followers, encouraging them to share their thoughts. Ask them to consider highlighting what sets your book apart, sharing insights that haven’t been covered in other reviews, staying authentic, and even including photos of the book in their reviews.
Use Social Media
Social media offers an excellent opportunity to expand your audience beyond your local area. After publishing your children’s book, kickstart your online presence by creating accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Given that most children aren’t active on social media, your target audience on these platforms will primarily consist of parents, educators, and child-focused professionals. Share images and videos that provide insight into your book’s themes, educational value, and purchasing information.
Back to our metaphor of tending our garden, consistency is key on social media. Aim to post at least once a day on each platform and actively engage with your audience. Respond to comments and direct messages, and reach out to your followers and readers with messages of gratitude. This helps foster a sense of community among your followers and keeps your book at the forefront of their minds.
