Tips to Writing Children's Books
Understanding the child you are writing for is crucial because their age dictates how they engage with a story. A book should be written for the child, not the parent, because children experience stories differently—through curiosity, imagination, and emotional resonance, rather than adult nostalgia or intellectual appreciation.
When writing for children, lessons should be woven into the story arc rather than presented as overt moralizing. A well-crafted narrative naturally guides the child toward understanding concepts through the characters' experiences, rather than lecturing them. If a story is written with the parent in mind, it often results in a tone that speaks down to the child, making them disengage.
There are beautifully written books that adults adore but fail to capture a child’s interest because they prioritize adult sensibilities over a child's perspective. Likewise, stories with great concepts can fall flat if the author does not truly understand how to communicate with a child’s mind. Children want to be taken on a journey, to feel involved, and to discover meaning organically. Writing for them—not at them—is the key to creating a story that will be loved, remembered, and passed down.
1. Write for the Child, Not the Parent
Children engage with stories differently than adults; they want to experience the story, not be told how to feel.
Avoid adult nostalgia or overly sophisticated humor that only parents will appreciate.
2. Understand the Age Group
Toddlers (0-3 years): Simple language, repetition, and sensory experiences.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Basic plots, interactive elements (like rhymes or call-and-response).
Early Readers (5-7 years): Engaging characters, simple conflicts, and clear resolutions.
Middle Grade (7-12 years): More developed plots, internal struggles, and age-appropriate humor.
3. Make the Lesson Part of the Story Arc
Don’t preach—let the lesson emerge naturally through character actions and consequences.
Show rather than tell. Instead of stating a moral, let the character’s journey illustrate it.
4. Avoid Talking Down to Kids
Children are smart and perceptive. Use language they understand without being condescending.
Trust them to pick up on themes without over-explaining.
5. Create a Story That Feels Like Play
Kids engage best with stories that feel fun, adventurous, or magical.
Use humor, surprises, and curiosity to keep them turning pages.
6. Know the Difference Between a "Beautiful" Book and an Engaging One
Some books are visually or lyrically stunning but don’t hold a child’s interest.
A great children’s book keeps them coming back, asking for it to be read again and again.
7. Use Dialogue and Action Over Explanation
Show emotions through interactions rather than long-winded descriptions.
Keep sentences short and engaging—children’s attention spans vary by age.
8. Test Your Story with Kids - Go to your library and read it for story-time.
Read your draft aloud to children in your target age range.
Watch their reactions—where do they laugh, get bored, or ask questions?
9. Think Like a Child
Remember what fascinated you as a child and what felt boring.
Enter their world instead of expecting them to enter an adult’s.
10. Let Kids Be the Heroes
Children relate to stories where the main character is their age or just slightly older.
Make the child protagonist the problem-solver, not just a passive observer.
By focusing on the child’s perspective and experience, your story will resonate, engage, and become one that young readers treasure.