People often think writing a children’s book is simple. After all, the stories are short, the language is light, and the pages are full of pictures. But anyone who has ever tried writing a children’s book knows the truth: children’s books are deceptively challenging. They require clarity, imagination, emotional intelligence, and an understanding of how young minds experience the world.
Whether you’re dreaming of publishing your first picture book or creating a chapter book series, here are the five things you must know before you begin if you’re serious about writing a children’s book.
Children’s Books Are For Children… But Also for Adults
This might sound obvious, but it’s one of the biggest mistakes new writers make. Yes, you’re writing a children’s book for a child, but an adult is the gatekeeper. They’re the ones buying the book, reading it aloud, and deciding which stories matter. A good children’s book speaks to both audiences. For kids, it must be magical, relatable, and emotionally honest.
For adults, it must hold a message that feels thoughtful, intentional, and worth sharing.
The best stories, The Gruffalo, Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables, succeed because they work on two levels. They enchant the child and move the grown-up. You don’t have to force dual meanings, but you should be mindful that two hearts are listening when writing a children’s book.
Simplicity Is an Art, Not a Shortcut
Writing simply is not the same as writing easy. In fact, simplicity is one of the hardest skills to master. Writing a children’s book demands:
• Clear sentences
• Strong rhythm and read-aloud flow
• Precise vocabulary
• Emotional resonance in very few words
If you think stripping your language down will make your story too basic, think again. Children don’t want fluff, they want clarity. They want stories that feel alive, not overcomplicated.
A powerful children’s book doesn’t talk down to young readers; it meets them at eye level, which is essential when writing a children’s book.
Your Main Character Must Feel Real. Even If They’re a Talking Duck
Children may be young, but they have excellent emotional radars. They can tell when a character feels flat, insincere, or rushed. Your protagonist, whether a shy dragon, a brave little girl, or a chipmunk with too many acorns, needs:
• A clear desire
• A problem or conflict
• A moment of courage or choice
• A satisfying resolution
Kids fall in love with characters who feel alive. They follow them across pages, sequels, and sometimes their entire childhoods.
When designing your character, ask yourself:
Would a child want to be friends with this character? Would they root for them? Would they remember them?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track, especially when writing a children’s book that stands out.
You Need to Understand Your Age Group. Everything Depends On It
Children’s books is a big category. Writing a children’s book for a 3-year-old is nothing like writing one for an 8-year-old. Before you begin, you must know who you’re writing for.
Picture Books (ages 3–7):
• 300–700 words
• Lots of repetition, rhythm, and page-turn moments
• Illustrations carry half the storytelling
Early Readers (ages 5–8):
• Simple chapters
• Basic conflicts
• Clear moral growth
Middle Grade (ages 8–12):
• Richer plots
• More complex emotions
• Strong voice and world-building
If you don’t understand the age group, you’ll miss the tone, the pacing, and the emotional depth your readers need, which is a common mistake when writing a children’s book for the first time.
There Must Be a Heartbeat. A Message Without Preaching
Children don’t need lectures. They need stories that gently guide them. A good children’s book carries a heartbeat, a message woven into the narrative, not stapled on top.
Think of the stories you loved as a child. They didn’t preach kindness; they showed it. They didn’t explain bravery; they revealed it through the character’s choices.
Whether your message is about courage, friendship, curiosity, emotions, or self-acceptance, make sure it arises naturally from the story. Kids learn best from experiences, even fictional ones, which is important to remember when writing a children’s book with meaning. In the end, writing for children is a privilege. You’re shaping early imaginations, planting seeds of empathy, and offering comfort to little readers who may carry your words for years. It’s a beautiful responsibility and a joyful one.
If you keep these five truths in mind, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a story that sparkles on the page and settles softly in a child’s heart while truly mastering the art of writing a children’s book.
And if you’re curious to see how I apply these principles in my own work, my children’s books, His Name is Daryl, Billy and the Stubborn Dandelion, and Ben’s Backyard Dream, are available now and written straight from the heart.
