How to Write a Children's Book – The Ultimate Guide [With Template]

The ultimate secret for how to write a children’s book is the same as the secret for how to write a book for adults.
Understand your reader. Really understand them. So many aspiring children’s authors fall short because they assume they can charm young readers by plugging in a few ingredients.
A silly monster. A girl who loves horses. Teen angst.
But writing for kids is just as complex and tough as writing for adults. It’s also a deeply rewarding process that can lead to a deeply rewarding career. You just need a little guidance to get started.
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, including:
- The different types of children’s book
- Potential pitfalls
- How to write a children’s book
- How to publish a children’s book
You can even put these ideas into action using our Children’s Book Template, which you can download right here:
Download Children's Book Template
Let’s dive in.

What are the Different Types of Kids Books You Can Write?
Conveniently enough, children’s books are divided into neat-and-tidy categories based on age. These categories come with standards to help you craft an age-appropriate kids’ book.
Let’s take a look at each one.
What are Picture Books?

A picture book uses illustrations to help communicate a story. Kids usually experience a picture book for the first time through parents or teachers reading it aloud to them.
However, as the child grows, they often use picture books to practice new reading skills. This is worth keeping in mind as you write.
Picture Books in a Nutshell:
- Ages 0-4
- 300-800 words
- 32 pages
- Illustrations on every page
Examples:
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
What are Early Reader Books?

An early reader book is a book that an early-elementary-aged child can work towards reading independently. In other words: simple sentences and easy-peasy vocabulary. That doesn’t mean your early reader book has to be all “See spot run.” You can still engage kids using creativity, humor, and unforgettable characters. Check out the examples below for inspiration.
Early Reader Books in a Nutshell:
- Ages 5-7 (Grades K-2)
- Repetition and simple sentences
- 1,000-5,000 words
- Illustrations on every page
Examples:
The Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems
The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
The Bink and Gollie series by Katie DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
What are Chapter Books?

If you’re writing a chapter book, your reader is officially reading on their own. This is exciting, especially if you know how to write a children’s book that turns a curious kid into a lifelong reader.A great chapter book offers an engaging story, a relatable character, and vocabulary that is just challenging enough to help readers advance their skills to the next level.
Chapter Books in a Nutshell:
- Ages 6-9 (Grades 1-4)
- Up to 10,000 words
- Illustrations on most pages, but not all pages
Examples:
The Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look
The Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
The Zoey and Sassafras series by Asia Citro
What are Middle Grade Books?

If your reader is around middle school age, you’re writing a middle grade book.
This is when children’s books begin to more closely resemble adult novels. You follow the same basic story structure as you would if you were writing a book for grown-ups. You also pay closer attention to genre expectations. (Mystery, fantasy, and realistic fiction are especially popular among this age group.)
Middle Grade Books in a Nutshell:
- Ages 9-12
- 60,000+ words
- 12+ illustrations
Middle Grade Examples:
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
What are Young Adult Books?

The readers of young adult (YA) books are teenagers. Also young adults. Also retirees.
Okay, so a lot of people love YA, but you’re writing for teens. In terms of vocabulary and story complexity, this audience can handle the same approach you’d use for adult readers. You also want to follow genre standards closely.
Just make sure your story centers on teenage characters and issues relevant to teen readers.
Young Adult in a Nutshell
- Teens
- Up to 100,000 words
- Few to no illustrations
Young Adult Examples:
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Now that you have a broad overview of how to write a children’s book that’s age-appropriate, let’s talk rookie mistakes.

Things to Avoid When Writing Kids Books
Here’s how not to write a children’s book:
Don’t Get Sloppy with Your Age Categories
A lot changes between the ages of five and seven. Know the expectations, interests, and reading level of your specific audience. In addition to reading a ton of books within your chosen age category, consider consulting an educator or child psychologist. They can help you modify ideas and storytelling techniques to better fit your readers.
Also note that kids gravitate towards protagonists who are a couple years older than themselves.
Avoid Long Sentences
Keep your writing clear, simple, and accessible. The younger the reader, the shorter the sentences.
Note: this doesn’t mean duller sentences. “Chloe screeched” is just as kid-friendly as “Chloe yelled loudly.”

Don’t Get Hung Up on the Moral of the Story
You don’t need a moral to create a great story for kids. But if there is an important message you wish to convey, don’t preach. Let the story do the work. My favorite example of a kids’ book that delivers a powerful message with a light touch is The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld.
Be Relatable… But Not Bland
Understand your readers. What’s important to them? What do they wish for, fear, love, and hate? How do they think and speak? What answers are they searching for?
Give those emotional characteristics to an interesting character who makes bold choices under remarkable circumstances. Create obstacles that are recognizable to your reader... but bigger.
Don’t Fuss Over Illustrations… Unless You Must
If you plan to publish your children’s book traditionally, you don’t need to think about illustrations at all. Your publisher figures that out. But if you’re going to self-publish, then you will need to add illustrations, whether you create them or you hire an artist. In that case, note how frequently illustrations arise in books within your category.

How to Start Writing Your Children’s Book
Here’s how to write a children’s book, step by step.
1. Research books in your category.
Read the books that are succeeding now. What children’s book ideas are succeeding? How do parents review them? What do your children, nieces, nephews, and that really chatty kid in the Target checkout line have to say about their favorite reads?
2. Research your audience.
How can you get to know your readers better?
Is there a volunteer program that gives you an opportunity to read to kids? Can you ask your friend’s twelve-year-old what they love and hate about being twelve? Are there books you can read to better understand your target age group?

3. Come up with an idea.
Some things to keep in mind as you brainstorm children’s book ideas:
First, young people take the lead in children’s literature, from baby books on up to YA. Sometimes the protagonist is an animal or a crayon or Amelia Bedelia. But even then, the main character reflects a child’s perspective.
Second, kids want to see themselves as complex heroes who face challenges, discover inner strength, and save the day. While an adult character can help, keep your young protagonist in the driver’s seat.
4. Establish voice and style.
Grover’s hysterical pleas in The Monster at the End of this Book. Holden Caulfield’s 1950s slang. That iconic first line: “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”
A strong narrative voice demonstrates that the reader is about to be entertained. Even understood.
A few considerations:
- Picture book and early reader audiences tend to prefer present tense, third person narration.
- Rhyming well is hard. Do write in verse if you’ve got it in you. But workshop it a lot.
- Don’t condescend to your reader, no matter how young. They know when it’s happening and they don’t like it.

5. Leap Into the Story Right Away.
Take a note from Mo Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Guess who’s already trying to creep behind the wheel by page two? BAM. Immediate conflict.
6. Follow standard plot structure
...and keep character arc in mind as you execute your children’s book ideas.
You have a protagonist.
The protagonist has a goal. They face an obstacle in trying to achieve that goal. In facing down the obstacle, they discover something about themselves.
By the end of the story, they have changed in some way.

7. End the story to satisfy your reader.
For picture books, early reader books, and chapter books, you want a clear resolution and a happy ending.
For middle grade or YA, defer to the standards of your genre.
8. Self-Edit
Before you ask for anyone else’s input, do some self-editing. Is your book the best it can be? Does it keep in line with the expectations of your age category?
Try reading it out loud. Rework any sections that feel wordy or clunky.
9. Get Feedback
Share your manuscript with people who can help make it better. Consult a wide range of beta-readers and editors, including:
- Educators or psychologists familiar with your target age group
- Parents
- Other children’s book authors
- Kids!
The great thing about writing a children’s book is that your target audience also makes for super honest beta-readers. There is no feedback clearer than a three-year-old going full-on ragdoll and sliding off your lap out of boredom.
10. Revise it until it shines.
Self-explanatory.

Publish Your Children’s Book
Woo! You learned how to write a children’s book and you made it happen!
Now, how do you publish a children’s book?
That depends.
Traditional Publishing
To publish traditionally, you’ll want to find an agent. Search agent databases and query the representatives who seem like a good fit for your book.
Pay close attention to each agent’s submission guidelines. They may want to see a full manuscript, a book synopsis only, the first five pages… whatever they request, make it happen.
Once you find an agent to represent your book, your agent works on finding a publisher. It is possible to just shop your book to publishers yourself. However, you are more likely to get a better deal or a bigger publisher through an agent.
Self-Publishing
In self-publishing, you do everything yourself.
You hire an illustrator, hire an editor, format your book, design a launch plan, and handle marketing. Essentially, you’re running your own business.
It’s thrilling, liberating, and puts you in control. It’s also a challenging journey with a steep learning curve. You really have to be as excited about the journey as you are about the outcome if you’re going to go this route.

Remember the Power of Your Product
The final piece of advice I’ll offer you on how to make a book for kids is this:
Remember your reader.
Not just when you’re coming up with children’s book ideas. Think of them when you feel burned out, discouraged, or lost.
All writers know the struggle of discouragement. In these moments, it helps to recall why we do what we do. We write to entertain, to bring joy, to inspire empathy… to connect. When you do those things as a children’s author, you help kids develop a lifelong love of literature.
How powerful is that?
So hang in there. And start writing.
And if you want to make the process a little easier, consider writing your book with Dabble. Dabble has great features to help you plan, write, and edit your story. Click here to try it for free for 14 days.
TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING...
Read. Learn. Create.
Characters are the most important part of any story. They are the beating heart and the blood that flows through your novel’s veins. Yes, your plot and world and story structure are also important, but most people will fall in love with a book because they love the characters.
If you’re planning to become an indie author, one of the first things you might be wondering is: how do you price a self-published book?
Can't get a clear answer on how many scenes should be in a chapter? Here's how to calculate the answer for your book.
There's no easy way to determine how many chapters you should have in your book, but let's figure out how many will work for you.
You’ve cobbled together 100K words of sheer brilliance, but now you must tackle the hardest task. How do you write book titles, anyway?
Looking for great writing exercises for fiction writers? We've got you covered with prompts to inspire story, character, and more.
How much do authors make? It's a question every writer asks at least once. We break it down for you in this blog!
Theses six steps can help show you how to become a fiction writer. Figure out what works best for you!
Want to learn the secret of how to overcome writer's block? You've got to get to the root of the problem. We can help.
Fight scenes are what some readers live for, but writing them can be tough. Let's dissect how to write a fight scene in your novel.
Romance tropes are the heartbeat of what makes romance novels feel like cozy sweaters you want to snuggle into.
Not sure how to describe clothing writing? It's easier (and more fun) than you might think. Here's everything you need to know.
Character motivation is essential in creating characters your readers will care about. Learn about the types of motivation with Dabble!
How to start a first chapter: include action, character, plot, emotion, and motivation or you’re going to lose your reader.
Want to learn how to write exposition that's not so explainy? Divulge compelling backstory using these tried-and-true tips.
English is whack. Let's make something better. Here's how to create a fictional language in four simple steps.
How long should your chapters be? On average, chapters tend to range from 1,000-5,000 words, with most falling in the 2,000-4,000 range.
Need original character questions to inspire your work in progress? Dig deep with these one-of-a-kind character interview questions.
It isn't easy to write a good villain, at least not without the right ingredients. Let Dabble give you the perfect recipe for a villain!
There are a lot of pieces of writing advice you can ignore, but here’s one you shouldn’t: you need to include character goals in your story.
Why does character motivation matter? Find out why a thrilling plot is not enough and how to design motivation that resonates with readers.
Outlining your future bestseller isn't easy! But we break it down for you so you can plan a novel that rocks.
You might be wondering: how long does it take to write a book? The answer depends on a variety of factors.
Here are sixty-five character development questions, plus tips on how and when to interview your characters. Get inspired and get unstuck!
Conflict is what makes books worth reading. Join us as we explore the four types of conflict you can use to make you story memorable!
Do you have a writer in your life who needs a gift? Check out this list of 61 gifts for writers that will help them with their author dreams.
Need character ideas for your next story? Find a ton of original ideas and brainstorming questions right here!
The words you use to start a story are some of the most important you'll write. We'll help make sure you get them right!
A character flaw is a fault, limitation, or weakness that can be internal or external factors that affect your character and their life.
The Seducer/Seductress archetype can help you craft unforgettable villains and surprisingly sympathetic anti-heroes. Learn how.
The Orphan archetype makes for both inspiring heroes and unsettlingly sympathetic villains. Learn how to use this archetype in your story.
Explore the fundamentals of the Outlaw Archetype and how they serve your story. Explore famous examples of Outlaws in popular media.
The Common Person or Everyman is a powerful archetype that can instantly relate to your readers. Learn how to use it in your writing!
The caregiver archetype is more than a saint. Learn how to craft a fascinating, flawed, and deep-souled caregiver for your story.
The Ruler archetype is one of the most recognizable and is about stability and maintaining order through control and power.
The Creator Archetype breathes life into their art, often to an obsessive level. Learn all about using this archetype in your writing!
Get to know the Innocent archetype, from Buddy the Elf to Andy Dwyer. Learn how to write this lovable (and sometimes chaotic) character.
The Sage archetype is an important one in all storytelling—one that can either help or hinder the protagonist's journey in your book.
Explorer Archetypes long for adventure and seek out new places, ideas, and experiences to live a thrilling, exciting, and fulfilling life.
What is the Jester archetype? Find out what you need to know to give your funniest character true purpose and depth.
Lover archetypes embrace the love they hold for friends, family, their gods, or simply the world around them.
The Magician archetype is one of the most popular archetypes in writing. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about Magicians!
What is the hero archetype? From epic heroes to anti-heroes, here's everything you need to know about crafting a compelling hero.
The seven basic plot points offer perhaps what is the most open-ended of the structure archetypes with broad, high-level descriptions.
Chekhov's Gun is a fundamental principle in writing. Join us as we examine what this principle is so you can apply it to your own writing.
What is three-act structure? Learn why this story structure is so effective and whether it can help you plot your novel.
Save the Cat is one of the most popular ways of drafting screenplays and novels in modern storytelling.
The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure. Learn why it's so popular among writers and how to apply it to your own storytelling.
We call it John Gardner's aquatic monstrosity, the Fichtean Curve is a narrative structure that can help you easily plan out your novel.
We break down Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method, a type of outlining that can make writing your book much easier and faster.
A New York City story coach shares her best tips on how to create compelling characters. She walks through each step in the process.
Learn about Dan Harmon's Story Circle—what it is, how it can help you plot your novel, and whether it's right for you.
One of the original story structures, Freytag's Pyramid is the foundation for dramatic stories and tragedies. Learn all about it with Dabble!
Learn how to write a children's book with this ultimate guide and template for designing a story that resonates with young readers.
In this article, we’ll explore what active and passive writing is and when you should use them. Contrary to some beliefs, sometimes passive voice does make sense. Not everything you write should or needs to be active (though it should be most of the time).
Editing your book can be a daunting task. In this article, we breakdown the different types of editing and when you should apply them.
Learn how to write a book synopsis that gets the attention of agents and publishers. It's easier than you think.
3rd-person limited or 1st-person epistolary? Here is what you need to know about narrative point of view and your story.
Story structures are the frameworks that tie your story together. A story structure can help guide your book to be the best it can be!
Bestselling author Kristina Stanley breaks down the three questions you need to ask to self-edit your book's characters, plot, and setting.
Which of the four character arc types is right for your story? And what is a character arc?
To write a romance you need to manage three separate arcs: your main character, your love interest, and the romance itself.
Character archetypes can help you write complex, three-dimensional characters. Learn more about them, including 14 common types, with Dabble.
Learn how to write a book in this ultimate guide. Plus find editing tips, map out a publishing journey, & download a free outlining template.
Unsure of how to start writing? This easy guide and checklist will help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.
Writing with proper punctuation can feel like the hardest part of writing. Don't worry, we've made a Beginner's Guide to Punctuation to help!
Plot is pretty much everything that happens in your story. So let's look at some methods that can help map out your story.
Snag this free, downloadable character development worksheet, designed to help you craft compelling characters and write an unputdownable story.
Finishing your first draft is quite possibly the biggest challenge you'll face as a fiction writer. To be successful, where should you start?
The publishing landscape is always changing, so many writers wonder: should I pay a publisher? Let's take a look at all your publishing options.
Time to learn one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Welcome to the Plot Grid.
Author's tone is an abstract, slippery concept. But once you've mastered this skill in your writing, you'll have a powerful tool for captivating readers.
It's time to start writing. Get started by setting goals, and removing some sneaky myths from your mind.
If you’re embarking on a topic that requires a lot of research, you might wonder where you even begin. How do you make use of all those juicy tidbits, and what kind of process should you use to ensure complete and total accuracy?
Writing well requires preparation. Set up your space, gather your tools, and adjust your mindset to crush your writing goals.
You have the knowledge and you have the tools. Time to become the writer you want to be. You got this!
Today we’re going to look at story beats to help craft your romance novel. Beats are specific points of significance that occur in stories that a) help keep the tension up and b) help drive the story forward. They can also be extremely useful in helping you map out your story before you dive into your first draft.
Not sure how to become a successful author—or if it's even possible? Learn exactly what it takes to make it as a writer.
Your writing method will determine a lot about your process. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
Have you every wondered whether you can make a living as a writer? It is far from easy, but we break down the way you can achieve your dreams as a career author.
Antagonists are some of the most important types of characters in stories, but also some of the most difficult to write. Let's breakdown what makes a good antagonist.
Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.
Characters are the heart of a story. Let's talk about arcs, conflict, and growth.
Theme is subtle, tricky, and will likely be the most effective way to get your audience emotionally engaged. So how do you do it?
First person narrative is when you write using the words “I”, “us”, or “we”. It’s when your story is told through the eyes of one person and we spend time in their head, hearing their thoughts and seeing what they see.
Creating character arcs isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to be ruthless. You've got to be strategic. And it also helps to read this step-by-step guide.
We've got you covered with the best character template ever to help bring your story's characters to life!
Characters come with traits, flaws, problems and much more. Time to dig into those and start giving some depth to them.