Everything You Need to Know About Writing Your First Children’s Book

Being a writer isn’t something that happens overnight – but it can be very impactful.

As an aspiring children’s book writer, you will want to focus on creating books that will want kids to open and read your books – from the first page to the last one.

Naturally, you will have a few questions in your mind when planning to write your first children's book. And we have the answers for you ready!

Read on to learn more!

How to Get Ideas for Children's Books

So, you might be wondering how to come up with an idea for your first children’s book. It all comes down to what you want the kids to get out of the books.

For instance, it could be a lesson that teaches the importance of not littering. This way, you would share valuable information with your readers. Some books can be just for fun. Nonetheless, coming back to the question about how to come up with an idea for your book.

From where do authors get their ideas about writing books?

Well, the answer is quite simple. The authors get their ideas from observing the world and creating what they see. However, if your aim is to write a children's book, you will want to observe children and their interests.

There is so much to see!

So, we encourage you to look around your environment, observe the world around you, and find a story.

How to Plan Book Writing

You might as well wonder about how the process of book writing evolves.

First things first – the book planning and writing process definitely start with writing it all down. If you don’t write it down – it will never happen. While creating a story, you will want to surround yourself with information about what you want to write about.

You get the point – don’t just decide that you want to write a book without collecting facts and information about it.

This is what you do in the process. Of course, the children's book editor will double-check all cross-references later, but it is your job to start writing and establish what you want to say and who you want to write about.

While planning a book, you must also assess who you want your characters to look like and what you want to say as well as what you want the characters to say.

Once you have thoroughly planned out your book, you will want to visit your local library or your school library if you are a teacher and teach young children. One thing you can always find in the book is someone else’s experience – which is a good thing.

Besides, planning a good children’s book includes imagining a unique story, telling the story to a friend, telling the story to another friend, writing down the story, reading the story aloud to a friend, and listening to how it sounds while you are reading it out loud to a friend.

Lastly, you will want to rewrite any part(s) of the story that doesn’t flow happily off your tongue.

Main Characteristics that Make a Good Children’s Book

While writing your book, you will want to focus on how the children will feel after reading it. That is a good characteristic if your book makes a child feel good inside.

Another characteristic that will make your book good is – of course – the storyline. Nothing beats a good storyline. Dr.Seuss was an amazing children’s author – he is also a great example of what makes a great storyline.

If you have read Dr.Seuss, then you know what we are referring to. The primary reason why his books are good is that his storylines don’t contain nonsense rhymes. Also, they are repetitious and fun for kids and children to read.

Does the storyline make sense? Is it happy or is it sad – whatever the storyline is – make sure to follow it and make sure your readers know exactly what you want to say. Just think about it – not every reader can meet you in person – but they can read your story.

This is why you want them to feel exactly what you are saying in your book.

Let us talk about another characteristic that makes a good children’s book: clarity. As an author of a children’s book, you will have to ensure that your words have clarity. You don’t want your readers to be guessing about what you are trying to say.

While writing, you will want to let the young readers know, through the characters, what you want said. Now, if we were to discuss one more characteristic of what would make a great children’s book, it would be all about the illustrations.

When it comes to illustrations, they are very powerful at telling the story without using words. So, what you cannot make up with words, you can express through illustrations. You get the point – the illustrations are very important to build that connection with your words.

So, you will want to ensure to choose a professional illustrator who knows how to convey what you want your words to say. Because sometimes children will look at the pictures – even if they don’t understand the words.

And after a while, the kids will start to understand the words through the pictures.

A Golden Tip

If this is your first time writing a children’s book, you might want to follow the golden tip of talking about something you love. Because here is the thing – if you write about something you love and are passionate about, your book will be good and successful.

Other people have different meanings of success. A good children’s book is a book that you can go back to later and enjoy – and whenever you can have educational content in a children's book – it just takes things to another level.

Kids love to read facts and share them with others. A fine children’s book should be unique. It should aim at surprising and delighting the reader. So, make sure your book is just that – make sure it is creative, funny, and informative with the right illustrations.