Creating a book is a fascinating process that consists of many steps. There is not a single specific template or traditional formula to do so. It is an art form where you must leave room for creativity and think outside the box. You can start with many questions: what idea to take, what style to follow, and what illustrations to choose.
Besides, you need to understand that all books vary by genre ─ and, therefore, the creation process. For example, nonfiction literature is designed for a particular audience to perceive information this way while writing a book or writing a novel requires another approach and parts to include. If you are looking for answers on how to write a children’s book, our guide will help you figure them out.
Creating an idea and drafting a book
It all starts with an idea. For example, you want to create a children’s book emphasizing visuals. That’s a good idea because young readers are very receptive to content through pictures. It may be a collection of fairy tales or quotes about life. Thus, you have an idea first, which then becomes a reality. It’s also important to understand what age group you should focus on. For example, if it’s toddlers, the less text you use, the better. However, since this group is just learning to read, you should consider large, easy-to-understand fonts and use simple (and short) words.
A logical question that often stops the production stage, even if you already know what to write about, is how to write children’s books. As in any area of life, it’s hard to get off the ground and do something when all thoughts are occupied with the question, “How?” You have to get started! This is why you will need a rough outline: ideas can be noted in a diary and written down on the computer over time. Afterward, this information should be appropriately structured to make the result more precise. Now let’s move to practical and logical steps about illustrating a children’s book.
Publication formats to choose from
Great – not that you’ve got an idea, you’ve got the groundwork, and you’ve got an understanding of your audience; it’s a good time to think about the format. Don’t let the idea that your reader only expects fairy tales stop you. You’re an artist, so it’s your right to choose the format you think is appropriate in the context of the material you want to convey.
Here are some examples of how you can publish information for the younger age audience:
- Life stories. Simple presentation is the key to tiny hearts. That said, writing children’s stories can be completely ordinary: about the school, about family, about the weather, stand-alone, or united by one thematic line. In this case, it is good to have a synopsis, which will help hold the logical chain of narration.
- The adventures. Children perceive information through images. They will also respond better to something close to their thoughts, familiar words, and inner worldviews. Besides, each character should be carefully worked out because children feel insincerity strongly.
- Teaching formats. You might have gathered information that can evolve into full-fledged content for creating a textbook. It would be great if you help children learn the language, letters, numbers, or how to count. Try presenting such material in interactive ways. The development of attention works perfectly utilizing tasks like “find five differences in the picture” or “here are three bunnies, one left and three more came; how many animals are now sitting near the bush?”
Advice: try to look at the material through the child’s eyes. Is it clear enough, and is it exciting and fun? If it interests you, it will also captivate your target audience. Do you want to concentrate on the art perspective? Here is where a book-writing company may help you do it bright but accessible.
Creating inspiring text and visual components
As an aspiring writer, you may meet a lot of difficulties. One of them is how to write a book that parents and their children will notice and enjoy. Again, a lot depends on your main idea. Large and colorful images with little or no text will be the most engaging format for the youngest. Older readers, though, will appreciate more text content.
If education through the book is your goal, it is crucial to provide a balance here, leaving room for thinking and imagination. For instance, if the book involves English learning materials, you should create a vocabulary. Be open and always leave space for creative thinking!
You can always add real photos, draw unique pictures, or even use a comic book format with dialogs to educate in a specific manner. Now the next big questions awaits: how to illustrate a children’s book. If you don’t know how to draw illustrations ─ that’s the least of your problems. Professional illustrators can create the necessary materials based on your sketches or a specific theme. In this case, it is essential to make detailed technical specifications: characters’ design, style references, and preferred color scheme will greatly help the illustrator. Remember that pink and purple illustration should not be used in work for teenagers. Meanwhile, the austere forms are more likely to interfere with toddlers’ perceptions. Thus, if you’re wondering how to write picture books, the answer is to feel your target audience and look at your drafts through their eyes.
Editing and proofreading the book
Before publishing a book, you must check if everything is relevant and easy to comprehend. The presence of grammatical errors and logical inconsistencies, the usage of complex words or constructions, data resources, incomprehensible or poor quality images ─ all this affects the extent to which the reader’s attention will be held while reading. This is where a book editing specialist will be needed. And that’s something PenFellow specialists can help with since our team provides experienced writers who know how to present your idea best.
Good examples of memorable children’s books
These books are just a few examples of the many unforgettable books that have made a lasting impact on children:
- First goes the classic “Where the Wild Things Are“ by Maurice Sendak – it is cherished by both children and their parents. The story of a young boy named Max who travels to a magical land filled with wild monsters. The illustrations and storyline are beautifully drawn, and the memories remain long after you finish the book.
- Next is “The Giving Tree“ by Shel Silverstein. This book teaches the importance of selflessness and giving. The story follows the relationship between a boy and a tree and the sacrifices the tree makes to make the boy happy. It is a poignant story that has touched the hearts of millions of readers over the years.
- Finally, “Charlotte’s Web“ by E.B. White. It is a timeless classic beloved by generations of children. The story follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. It teaches vital lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life.
These books offer valuable life lessons, beautiful illustrations, and unforgettable stories that will stay with them forever. You can review them for inspiration for your book illustrations, text, or other content.
PenFellow: More than Just Writing
As you can see, a simple question about how to start writing a children’s picture book includes many steps to follow. We are ready to help you throughout the entire process and implement the creation of the book on a turnkey basis:
- Create a plot outline of the book;
- Transform the outline in the book;
- Proofread a book.
As a result, you will get a colorful book that fully reflects your original idea. It is worth noting that finding a ghost writer can take quite a long time, and there is no guarantee that the chosen performer will continue the project halfway through. It can happen simply because the contractor overestimated their capabilities and failed. The PenFellow team is ready for any challenge: our work results and feedback from the clients who entrusted us with their creative projects prove it.
Feel free to contact us with any questions; we are always in touch and ready to improve your work together! In doing so, you will speed up the creation process as much as possible, as we provide all the answers on writing a children’s picture book. Contact us today and let writing magic be!
FAQ
Is the number of pages in a children’s book a substantial factor?
It always depends. A 5-10 page book can impress more than a vast encyclopedia. Think of Joan Rowling ─ every book in the Harry Potter series is 500-600 pages long. And yet, it is one of the most popular and readable series of books worldwide. The secret is to keep the reader’s attention from beginning to end, despite the number of pages. If you have a big format in mind, this is where book ghostwriter help is especially needed.
How do you choose a format for your book?
One good way to choose a format when writing childrens stories is to study works that sparked your interest and attention or books you remember in detail years later. You might be impressed by a particular picture or how images were presented. In the preparatory phase, creating a whiteboard might be a good idea to pin visual photos that resonate with you. Give yourself time to observe and understand how you see the finished book, e.g., what you like and what seems boring.
What is the primary importance of making a successful children’s book?
As you can see, your work has several important things to consider before you start making a children’s book: idea, format, text, visuals, and style. At the very beginning, determine your target audience. Different age groups have their preferences and peculiarities of perception. Moreover, the text and visuals for boys or girls will also have specific differences. Therefore, fiction ghostwriters for hire will be a great solution for you. Expert help is the key to a fast and excellent result for both the author and the readers.
How to create a compelling synopsis for a children’s picture book?
When writing a synopsis, there are a few key things to remember. First, keeping it brief and to the point (one-page max) is essential. Next, you’ll want to include a hook that captures the essence of the story and makes it stand out from the rest. Also, have the main characters, motivations, major plot points, and any surprises or twists. Finally, it’s essential to proofread and edit carefully to ensure the synopsis is polished and error-free.
What is the process for designing the layout of a children’s picture book?
Layout is a crucial aspect of creating a children’s picture book that captures the imagination of young readers. To start, consider the trim size or dimensions. This will impact how your illustrations are displayed on the page. Next, decide on the number of pages and the location of text and images. Think about how the pictures and text flow together to create a cohesive story. When designing the layout, pay attention to the information hierarchy and use whitespace to create balance. A well-designed layout can make a difference in creating a memorable children’s book.
