Children’s books are a great way to encourage kids to read, and they can also be a fun and rewarding writing project. If you love writing for children and want to publish your first children’s book, you’ll first have to keep track of some important things.

From deciding on your target audience to including the perfect illustrations, there are some things you will need to consider when writing your first children’s book. In this article, we are going to explain the top 8 tips by which you’ll be well on your way to writing a great book that kids will love to read.

Tips for writing Children’s Book

1.     Decide on Your Age Group

Your target age group is important because it will help determine the style of your book. Ask yourself whether you are writing for preschoolers, school-age children, or young adults. This will help you decide on your target audience, so you can begin to tailor your book to their interests and needs.

If you’re not sure where to start, just remember that the most important thing is to write a book that you would want to read yourself. After all, if you’re not enjoying the writing process, it’s unlikely that your target audience will enjoy it.

2.     Choose the Right Theme

Children’s books are more than just stories; they are also a great way to teach kids important life lessons. So, you will need to choose the right theme. The theme of your book will help determine the story you tell, the characters you create, and the moral lesson you ultimately want to impart.

It is important to choose a theme that is appropriate for the age group you are writing for and will resonate with kids. Some of the most popular themes include adventure, friendship, and love, so it’s advised to revolve your story around one of these themes.

Just remember to keep the theme in mind as you write, and be sure to infuse the story with fun, adventure, and, most importantly, a moral lesson. After all, you’re writing for kids.

3.     Know the Right Combination of Words and Pictures

Stories for children’s books are comparatively shorter, and you’ll have to find the right pictures to describe the story. However, keeping the right combination of words and pictures is very important. You want the child to be able to follow the story without becoming bored, and you want the illustrations to add to the story without taking away from the text.

A good rule of thumb is to have one to two illustrations for every page of text. This will give the child something to look at while listening to the story, and it will help break up the text so that they can easily follow along and not get bored.

4.     Invest in a Good Editor

Children’s books will not need that much proofreading or finding typos, so you’ll only have to focus on the story plot and character development. To ensure your story is the best version it can be, it is advised to find a good children’s book editor who will edit mercilessly.

You can find the best children’s book editors in the USA by doing some online research or asking a literary agent to recommend to you someone worthy of investment. An experienced editor will help you put the story events in a logical order and remove any extra details that are unnecessary for the plot.

This way, you’ll be able to get the young readers’ attention and make your book a bestseller.

5.     Keep the Language Simple

It is an obvious thing, keeping in mind you’re writing a children’s book, yet some writers make the mistake of writing complex sentences to sound more authoritative. Keeping your language simple will engage young readers and increase your chances of making your book a success.

The most basic purpose of a children’s book is to provide emotional support and enable them to cope with problematic circumstances in life. That’s why you will have to use a lot of repetition and short sentences to make them understand what you are saying.

6.     Focus on Story Development

Remember, your story will be judged by three things; the beginning, the peaking point, and a distinct ending with perfect closure. No matter what age your target audience is, story development will be key to captivating them and holding their attention throughout your book.

In this stage, you’ll need to focus on creating a well-rounded story with compelling characters, an interesting plot, and a satisfying ending. Also, make sure that your story is able to teach a valuable lesson or two.

7.     Being Unique is the Key

There are millions of children’s books out there, and to stand out, you need to have a story that is unlike any other. When you are writing the story, focus on what makes it different from the other children’s stories in the market. You can also start by reviewing your children’s book collection and seeing what most writers are writing about.

All you have to do is break the norms and come up with a story that offers something different to your readers. You can start by taking your favorite book and tweaking its ending to find how the story sounds. Another way to achieve uniqueness is to make 3D illustrations and create characters and a world that is new and exciting for children to explore. 

If you can do this, then you’re well on your way to writing a children’s book that is sure to be a hit.

8.     Find the Right Publisher

Having the right publisher for your book is as important as the book itself. You can either find a literary agent who will do this for you or you can directly contact a publisher in your genre. However, make sure to find a publisher who is a specialist in publishing children’s books.

You can have a look at the publishers listed on other children’s books that fall in the same category as yours. Another way is to look up online for publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts. Not all publishers do. So, the best way is to hire a literary agent who can connect you with the right publisher and handle the legal process regarding copyrights and royalties.

By following these simple yet efficient tips, you can make your children’s book a hit.

© Ruchie Verma.

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