How to Write a Children’s Book: A Beginner’s Guide

Many people dream of writing a children’s book. Maybe you have a story idea, a character in your head, or a message you’d love to share with young readers. But where do you start?

This guide will walk you through the basics of how to write a children’s book—from understanding the different types of children’s stories to planning your first manuscript.

If you’re completely new to writing for kids, don’t worry. Every successful children’s author started exactly where you are now. (If you’d like structured guidance through this process, our Amazing Journey guide walks writers step-by-step from idea to finished manuscript.)

We’ve got a tremendous library of children’s writing resources for you to make use of, but let’s start as simply as we can, with a high-level overview of that journey you’re about to embark upon.

In This Guide

 

• Step 1: Understand the Types of Children’s Books
• Step 2: Start With a Strong Story Idea
• Step 3: Create Memorable Characters
• Step 4: Keep the Story Simple and Focused
• Step 5: Write the First Draft
• Step 6: Revise and Improve Your Story
• Step 7: Decide How You Want to Publish
• Bonus Step: Master Some Key Skills
• Your Next Step as a Children’s Writer
• Frequently Asked Questions

 

Step 1: Understand the Types of Children’s Books

Children’s books are not all the same. Stories are written for very specific age groups, and the expectations change dramatically as readers grow.

Picture Books (Ages 3–7)

Picture books are typically 500–700 words and rely heavily on illustrations to tell the story. They focus on simple plots, memorable characters, and strong emotional themes.

Easy Readers (Ages 5–8)

These books help children transition from picture books to chapter books. They contain simple vocabulary, short chapters, and lots of white space.

Chapter Books (Ages 7–10)

Chapter books are longer and contain more complex plots. They often follow a main character through a series of small adventures.

Middle Grade (Ages 8–12)

Middle grade novels are typically 20,000–50,000 words and feature deeper character development, bigger plots, and emotional growth.

Young Adult (Ages 12–18)

Young adult (YA) novels are written for teenage readers and often explore more complex themes such as identity, relationships, independence, and personal growth. YA books are typically longer than middle grade novels and can range from about 50,000 to 80,000 words depending on the genre.

 

Step 2: Start With a Strong Story Idea

Great children’s books usually begin with a simple but powerful idea. Ask yourself questions like:

• What problem does my character face?
• Why will young readers care about this character?
• What makes this story fun, surprising, or meaningful?

Children’s stories work best when the main character has a clear goal and something standing in the way of achieving it.

If you already have the spark of an idea but need help shaping it into a full story, read Turn Your Idea Into a Book.

 

Step 3: Create Memorable Characters

Children remember characters more than anything else. Think about some classic characters from children’s literature—Curious George, Matilda, or Harry Potter. They are memorable because they want something strongly and act boldly to get it.

When creating your character, consider:

• What does your character want?
• What obstacle stands in their way?
• How do they change by the end of the story?

 

Step 4: Keep the Story Simple and Focused

Beginning writers often try to include too many ideas in a children’s book. The best stories are usually built around one central problem and one clear story arc.

Focus on:

• One main character
• One central problem
• A satisfying resolution

 

Step 5: Write the First Draft

Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it shouldn’t be. The goal is simply to get the story out of your head and onto the page.

Many successful children’s authors write quickly during the drafting stage and focus on polishing the story later. Here’s an overview of children’s book word counts by age group

 

Step 6: Revise and Improve Your Story

Revision is where good stories become great ones. During revision you may:

• Tighten dialogue
• Strengthen the ending
• Remove unnecessary scenes
• Clarify the character’s motivation

Many children’s authors revise their stories multiple times before submitting them to publishers.

 

Step 7: Decide How You Want to Publish

Once your manuscript is polished, you have two main options to get published:

• Traditional publishing (working with an agent and publisher)
• Self-publishing

Each path has advantages, and many modern children’s authors explore both options.

 

Bonus Step: Master Some Key Skills

Our free article library includes step-by-step guides to the essential storytelling skills every children’s book writer needs:

• Turn Your Idea Into a Book – Learn how to transform a simple idea into a strong children’s book concept with a clear plot, conflict, and direction.

• Develop Great Characters – Discover how to create memorable characters whose personalities, strengths, and flaws naturally drive your story forward.

• Show, Don’t Tell – Learn how to replace flat explanations with vivid actions, dialogue, and sensory details that bring scenes to life.

• Choose the Correct Point of View – Understand when to use first person, third person, or omniscient narration to strengthen your storytelling.

• Master the Five Types of Children’s Book Plots – Explore the classic plot patterns used in many successful children’s stories and how to apply them to your own book.

• Build a Story Chapter by Chapter – Learn how to structure scenes and chapters so your story moves smoothly toward a satisfying conclusion.

Your Next Step as a Children’s Writer

 

If you’re serious about writing a children’s book, the best next step is learning the complete process from idea to finished manuscript.

Amazing Journey is our step-by-step guide that walks you through developing your story idea, creating compelling characters, structuring your plot, and finishing your first draft.

Learn more about Amazing Journey here.

Writing for children is one of the most rewarding creative pursuits there is. With the right guidance and a little persistence, your story could be the one that inspires the next generation of readers.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Children’s Books

 

I HAVE A STORY I’VE WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN. DO I NEED TO FIND SOMEONE TO ILLUSTRATE IT BEFORE I CAN SEND IT TO A PUBLISHER?

No.

In fact, in cases where the author of a picture book is not also an artist, the publisher prefers to find its own illustrator for the book. The reason for this: often a publisher will match up a new author with a more experienced illustrator who has some name-recognition among book stores and teachers. Also, publishers have a stable of illustrators they have cultivated, and are always looking for new manuscripts for these illustrators to work on.

Finally, publishers have a certain “look” they have developed for their individual lists, and the illustrator you choose for your manuscript may not have a style that fits with other books already published by that house.

If you do know an artist that you want to work with, you can submit illustrations with your manuscript, but be prepared that the editor may like only the writing or only the illustrations and won’t want to buy the entire package.

 

 

WHAT ABOUT MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS? SHOULD I SEND MY MANUSCRIPT TO ONLY ONE PUBLISHER AT A TIME?

Multiple submissions (also called “simultaneous submissions”), once taboo in children’s publishing, have become commonplace. Editors understand that since it often takes them several months to respond to an unsolicited submission, it’s only fair that writers be able to send their manuscripts to several publishers at once. There are still a few publishers, however, who only take exclusive submissions.

Visit a publisher’s website to get their guidelines, which explain what format submissions should take (query letter, entire manuscript, etc.) and whether or not they accept multiple submissions.

When we’ve spoken to editors about this practice, they’ve all said it makes absolutely no difference in their final decision as to whether or not they’re going to buy a manuscript, as long as the author states in the cover letter that it’s a multiple submission. The editor simply likes to know that someone else might have your manuscript as well. We suggest, though, that you limit your submission of the same manuscript to five publishers at once, because it’s easier to keep track of who has responded and where the manuscript is at any given time.

 

DO I NEED AN AGENT?

It’s not a question easily answered, but one which must be addressed as your writing career progresses.

Before we begin, one important point: if your work is not salable, no agent-even the world’s best agent-can sell it. The time to start thinking about agents is when you feel you’ve invested enough time and effort in your work to truly call it professional.

First let’s look at what the three main activities of an agent:

Guiding the client through the publishing maze.
Putting manuscripts on the desks of key editors.
Negotiating the best possible deal for his or her client.

Agents are not paid directly by the client, rather, they earn a commission (usually 15%) from any money received from a sale. The client is responsible, however, for any expenses generated on his or her behalf. Agents bill their clients periodically or subtract the expenses from an author’s advance and royalty payments. A good agent is combination sales person and business manager, with a knowledge of the children’s publishing market and of particular editors’ preferences. Unless you’re using a critique service, an agent is the first reader of your manuscript.

Only after an agent agrees to represent you will he or she help correct flaws and improve your work. The next step: your manuscript is sent to appropriate editors until it sells, or you decide to terminate the submission process. If a sale is made, the agent negotiates the contract (including amount of advance and royalties), offering certain rights to the publisher and sometimes reserving other rights for future sales (such as book club or paperback rights).

Your agent will also represent you in any dealings with the publisher when problems arise. Besides being able to decipher royalty statements, for example, an agent can challenge inaccurate payments without damaging your relationship with your publisher. Agents handle all the little things that occur during the publishing process that you don’t understand or don’t have patience for.

Once the book is published, an agent tracks royalty payments, makes additional sales on any rights the author has retained, and sometimes assists the publisher in marketing the book. Agents are also useful in opening up new avenues for the writer’s second book. Many agents actually generate projects for their clients, by perceiving that an editor is looking for a particular type of book, and matching that editor up with his or her client.

 

MYTH: An agent can make you a better writer or illustrator.

REALITY: If your story has been turned down by 25 publishing houses, representation will not make the story more salable, or appear to be better than it is. Only your own hard work will improve your skills-and your chances of success.

 

MYTH: You will make more money-and faster-using an agent.

REALITY: Strike one against that myth is the fact that an agent will take 15% off the top of anything you earn. Strike two is that editors really don’t have a prejudice against unrepresented authors. They’re just looking for the best stories they can find. (Some larger publishing houses have instituted a policy of reviewing only those submissions sent by agents, so check in advance if you’re representing yourself.) Strike three is the simple truth that it takes a long time and a lot of hard work for anyone-represented or not-to make substantial money as a children’s book author.

 

MYTH: Hiring an agent means a guaranteed sale.

REALITY: A surprisingly common misconception is that once an agent decides to represent a client, the work is as good as sold. Would that this were true! Agents take on clients they think they can sell, but publishing is subjective to the tastes of editors and shifts in the market, so nothing is ever guaranteed.

 

Myths aside, here’s what a good agent can provide:

• Knowledge of the marketplace.
• Knowledge of the publishing contract.
• The time and energy to send your manuscript to editors.
• The ability to have your work read faster than if you submitted it yourself.
• Career advice that-if it’s good-can help you for years to come.

So now, back to the question: Should you hire an agent? We are, of course, going to weasel our way out of answering that directly, and with good reason-the choice must really be your own.

We will, however, sum up by saying this: If you are a talented writer it is possible to get your first book published without an agent. It takes perseverance, an understanding of the market (visit book stores and see what publishers are up to), and confidence that you can handle the business end of your career.

An agent can simplify the submission process, find opportunities you may not be aware of, save you time and effort, give good advice and, hopefully, provide some encouragement. If this is worth a 15% commission to you, follow the steps above and find the right agent. If not, be comforted by the fact that many non-represented authors find success on their own.