The books that we read as children have many memories attached to them. From the pictures to the lessons infused in the words, when we see the books that we loved as kids, a flood of nostalgia overtakes us. If you want to stir that emotion in someone else, perhaps writing a children’s book is the way to get you there.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a children’s book and are looking for some tips to help you complete your project, look no further! In this blog, we’re offering you five tips that’ll help you on your book writing journey. Let’s get right to it!

Pinpoint your audience.

Just because you’re writing a children’s book doesn’t mean it will – or should! – appeal to kids of all ages. Before you begin writing, take some time to think about who your writing will be geared toward. Pick an age group and write a story that’s relatable to them. If you’re writing a book for young kids between the ages of 2 – 6, consider writing a story that’s easy to understand and follow. Write to engage one age group directly and if you have the itch to write more books for children of other ages, do so. But remember, one group at a time!

Do your research.

The best way to narrow your focus and help determine your book’s overall message is by doing some research of your own. Take a trip to the local bookstore or scour the Internet to see some of the current children’s book best sellers. What is the main message that’s resonating with parents? Do your research and collect as much information as you can to help you define the message of your book. But remember: Use what you find as a guide and not a template. You want to write a book that sets you apart from the competition and contains your own flare and originality.

Read your book out loud.

While a children’s book doesn’t necessarily have to rhyme, it does have to have rhythm and a good cadence. Just think about all of the children’s books you’ve read. A commonality between most if not all is that the words flow effortlessly from one page to the next. One way of finding out if your book is doing the same is by reading it out loud. By doing so, you’ll be able to hear for yourself how your book flows. If it sounds a little disjointed, you can go back and revise. If you want to up the ante, read your book out loud to someone else to get their input and reactions; this too can help you make the necessary edits to create the best book possible.

Picture this.

Children’s books are the perfect canvas to fill with gorgeous, attention-grabbing illustrations. In a children’s book, pictures can help bring your story to life without having to add more words – perfect for engaging little ones who haven’t yet learned to read. Bright colors and full-page illustrations will draw your little reader even deeper into your story. If your artistic skills don’t quite match up with your writing skills, find a creative person who can take what’s in your imagination, add some color to it and bring it to life on the pages of your book. And remember, not all children’s books have to have illustrations to be successful. In fact, sometimes the words of a story are perfectly complemented by real photographs. If this is the case for your book, make sure that you’re using high-quality photographs.

Find your inner child.

You’re writing a children’s book, so have fun! This is a chance for you to find your inner child and let your imagination soar. Let your creativity be your compass and see where it takes you. If you’ve run into a stumbling block, take a step back and remember the things that brought joy to your life as a child. Was it playing with neighborhood friends? Getting ice cream with your parents? Whatever it may be, take some time to reflect on your childhood and infuse those memories and lessons into your book. Finally, don’t discount an idea just because you think it might be a bit too quirky; after all, you’re writing a children’s book and kids have silly senses of humor!

When writing a children’s book it’s very important to remember that you officially have permission to act like a kid again! So let your guard down and enjoy the process!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017