How to Write a Children’s Book: The Complete Guide

Why are some children’s books great bedtime stories, while others languish on library shelves?

You might think that writing a children’s book is easy. After all, they’re short and have pictures, right?

No, it’s WRONG!

Writing a children’s book that delights young readers is one of the hardest writing challenges you can set yourself.

When writing a book, you’re competing with tablets, video games, and YouTube on the child’s side. You’re up against time-pressed parents, overworked librarians, and exhausted teachers on the adult side.

Don’t panic though…

Writing a children’s book for kids is within your grasp (helped along by an AI book title generator, of course). All you need is a plan of attack, a clear idea of your target audience, and stories kids will ask to read “one more time”.

In this blog post, I will walk you through the process of writing and publishing a children’s book.

Let’s get one thing straight.

Writing children’s books is not easier than writing for adults.

In fact, many adult authors with multiple book deals can barely seek out one children’s book over the course of a career.

Why? Because every word in a children’s book counts.

You can’t fluff up your story with fancy prose or meandering subplots. Children’s books need precision and clarity.

The children’s book market is growing fast. The global market of interactive children’s books is predicted to reach $724 million in 2025 and $ 1065 million in 2033.

Fantastic news if you want to make a living writing books for kids.

Except for the fact that more people are jumping into the market every year. The competition is stiff.

Here’s another hard truth:

Picture books average 500-1,000 words. That’s less than most blog posts.

But those few hundred words need to:

• Tell a complete story arc
• Develop believable, memorable characters
• Teach a lesson or provide entertainment (bonus points if it’s both)
• Sound natural and lyrical when read aloud
• Leave parents with enough patience to get through the 47th reading

In short, everything matters.

Your first job as a children’s book author is to pick a target age group and stick with it.

Children’s books aren’t a one-size-fits-all market. Kids have different attention spans, interests, and life experiences at different ages.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Board books (0-3 years): For babies and toddlers, simple stories about counting, colors, or emotions work best. These books have sturdy pages and as little text as possible.
• Picture books (3-8 years): Picture books are the most popular category for new authors. They’ve been around forever, which means lots of great classics. Balance your story with illustrations.
• Early readers (5-9 years): A cross between picture books and chapter books, early readers use simple sentences with familiar vocabulary.
• Middle grade (8-12 years): At this age, books can tackle more complex issues and longer story arcs. Think of the earlier Harry Potter books.
• Young adult (12+ years): This category is pushing more mature themes and diverse characters, including age crossover books that adult readers also enjoy.

Choose one age group and write for that audience. If you try to cover all ages and interests, you’ll end up pleasing no one.

So what’s the secret to getting kids to chant “read one more story” at bedtime?

It’s not rocket science. Kids want the same compelling characters and page-turning plots as adults. The delivery is just different.

Start with a problem:

Children deal with the same struggles as everyone else. Nervous first day at school. Starting a new friendship. Fighting with siblings. Facing a bully.

Take your main character and put them in a situation that readers in your age group will recognize. Be specific and concrete, don’t be vague or philosophical.

Now give them a character to cheer for:

Kids need to connect with protagonists they can see themselves in. Give your character some quirkiness, some fears and hopes. Above all, make them active. Let your character solve their own problem without waiting for adults to rescue them.

What matters most?

Heart. Children have a knack for sniffing out inauthenticity and fake emotions. If you don’t care about your characters and their story, your young readers won’t either.

The most enduring children’s books tackle universal emotions through relatable daily experiences. They help children navigate their own feelings and situations.

Illustrations are where most new children’s book authors get tripped up.

Do you need illustrations? Can you draw them yourself? How do you find an illustrator?

Time for some clarity:

Illustrations are not optional if you’re writing a picture book. But here’s the twist: If you’re seeking traditional publishing, you usually do not need to find an illustrator.

Publishers prefer to pair authors with their roster of illustrators. They know what sells and which art styles match certain stories.

On the other hand, if you’re self-publishing a children’s book, then yes, you’ll need an illustrator. This can cost you $3,000-$10,000 for a picture book.

For chapter books or middle grade books, illustrations are less important. A few simple black and white drawings can work. But these books are not dependent on images.

The moral of the story?

Don’t sweat illustrations until you’ve written your story. Focus on the words, then let the pictures come later.

Great. You’ve written a fantastic children’s book.

Now what?

You have two options: Traditional publishing and self-publishing.

Traditional publishing means going through agents and publishers to get your manuscript accepted. It’s a long, slow process with high competition (but there is built-in distribution and marketing).

The bad news? The average full-time author makes only $20,300 per year, with 18% making nothing at all.

Don’t let that deter you.

Many children’s authors earn supplemental income from teaching, school visits, and other writing jobs. And a successful children’s book will sell for years, decades even.

Self-publishing gives you more control and higher royalties. But you’re responsible for all steps, including editing, illustrations, printing, and marketing.

The market for children’s books is changing fast. Digital publishing is opening up new formats. Diverse authors are finally getting a platform.

Here’s what works:

Start building your author platform now. Reach out to parents, teachers, and librarians on social media. Perform your stories at local libraries. Join children’s writing groups.

Success in children’s books rarely happens overnight. But with persistence, love for your young audience, and stories that touch children’s hearts, you can build a rewarding author career.

Writing a children’s book is both harder and more rewarding than most people expect.

You’re not just writing stories, you’re shaping young minds, expanding imaginations, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Remember:

• Pick an age group and write for them.
• Give your readers characters they can root for.
• Focus on the emotional truth of your story.
• Don’t worry about illustrations until you have a contract.
• Start building your author platform now.

The children’s book market is growing and changing. New voices and fresh perspectives are welcome than ever before.

Your unique story, told with heart and crafted with care, could become a beloved children’s classic.

So what are you waiting for? Fill in those blank pages. It’s time to write the children’s book you wish you could have read as a child.