How to Write a Timeless Children's Book?

Do you want to write for children? If you do, congratulations on taking the first step. Writing for children is more challenging than most people think. Children’s literature is one of the most difficult to write and publish, but it’s also the most rewarding.

When you write children’s books, you are in a unique position to impact the young minds of the next generation and become a force for good. Writing for children involves engaging a very imaginative audience and competing in a highly competitive book genre.

In the US, the market size in 2022 for children’s books is$2.6 billion, and it’s expected to grow by over 2% yearly. There’s lots of room for self-published authors in this niche, and this post will guide you in determining the best children’s book ideas to jumpstart your career.

Where to Find Children's Book Ideas?

Coming up with ideas for children's books can take time and effort. You want to write something that kids will love, but you also want to avoid rehashing the same old stories that have been told a million times. Where can you turn for some inspiration? Here are four great places to find ideas for your next children's book.

Your Own Childhood Experiences

One of the best places to start when looking for ideas for a children's book is your own childhood. Think back to the things that you loved when you were a kid. What were your favorite books? What kind of things did you like to do? What did you wish someone would have written a book about? Drawing on your own experiences is a great way to develop fresh, new ideas.

Your Kids or Grandkids

If you don't have any kids of your own, borrow your neighbor's! Just kidding. But seriously, spending time with kids can be a great way to develop ideas for books. Pay attention to the things they say and the things they do. What are their interests? What captures their imagination? Use these insights to develop an idea for a book that will resonate with them.

The News or a Popular Culture Reference

Another great source of inspiration is current events or popular culture references. Is there something in the news that has captured everyone's attention? Is there a hot new movie or TV show that everyone is talking about? Use these as jumping-off points for developing an original idea for a children's book.

For example, if there's a lot of talk about climate change, you could write a book about a family of polar bears who must leave home because the ice is melting. If there's a popular new toy that everyone is talking about, you could write a story about a child who goes on an adventure with that toy. There are endless possibilities when you let your creativity run wild.

Your Local Library or Bookstore

Last but not least, remember good old-fashioned research. Head to your local library or bookstore and browse the shelves. See what kinds of books are out there and get an idea of what's popular with kids these days. This can help spark some ideas for stories that you can write that will appeal to young readers.

Examples of Children’s Book Ideas

It can be challenging to develop ideas for a book that will capture a child's imagination and be something parents will want to buy for their kids or read aloud. Here’s a list of children’s book ideas to inspire you.

1. A day in the life of a [insert occupation].This could be a firefighter, police officer, doctor, teacher, chef, or anyone else kids are interested in. Give them a behind-the-scenes look at these people’s day-to-day life so kids can learn more about what they do. Children are always fascinated by the grownup world, and telling stories about who they can be when they grow up inspires them to dream and develop their passions.

2. A book about feelings.This is a great way to help kids understand and identify their emotions.Use colorful illustrationsand simple text to discuss different emotions and how to deal with them. The movieInside Outis an excellent example of how children can be taught about various emotions and how to process them in a healthy matter.

3. A book about animals.Kids love animals, so this is always a popular topic. You could focus on a specific animal or do an overview of different animals from all around the world. Include fun facts and photos to make it even more engaging, or use different animals as the heroes of your stories. Don’t be afraid to experiment and break stereotypes.

4. A book about nature.Help kids explore the outdoors with this type of book. Talk about the different seasons, weather, plants, and animals that live in your backyard or local park. This is a great way to get kids interested in science and nature.

5. A counting and numbers book or an alphabet book.Numbers books are great for helping kids learn their numbers and start counting. Use everyday objects or items that interest children so they can easily follow along and count with the book. An ABC book is perfect for helping kids learn their letters and the sounds they make. Use images and words that start with each letter of the alphabet so children can see how the letters are used in everyday life. These books are the basic foundations of learning, and making them engaging can spark the love of reading and knowledge in kids.

6. A book with imagined characters.Children are very imaginative, so you can always create fictional characters from scratch. Just ensure they are understandable and relatable to children so the idea will stick. Famous children’s authors like JK Rowling and CS Lewis were masters at creating imaginary worlds that resonated well with children.

7. Choose your own ending book.Letting children choose the ending of their stories is a great way to engage them and keep them coming back for more. This popular trend in the 1980s continues to sell to this day.

Choose the Type of Book according to age groups

Before pursuing a children’s book idea, you need to determine the age group for which you’ll be writing. Books written for kids aged 0-18 are often classified as children’s books. This includes YA novels that provide a transition to adult literature. The wide age range opens itself to a diverse set of ideas you can explore.

Specific themes are proven to work well for children depending on their age, and these timeless children’s book ideas will inspire you to write your next masterpiece.

For Kids Ages 0-6: Picture Books

Picture books rely on illustrations and a few words to tell a story. They are 500 words or less and can even be less like board books for babies and toddlers. However, these books must tell a compelling story to be successful.

Famous examples areThe Very Hungry Caterpillarby Eric Carle (sold 41 million copies since 1969),Goodnight Moonby Margaret Wise Brown (sold 48 million copies since 1947), andThe Cat in the Hatby Dr. Seuss.

For Kids Ages 6-7: Early Reader Fiction

Kids in this age range are ready to tackle longer blocks of text ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 words. Pictures are still necessary to break down the text. Authors usually write series in this niche to help kids build their reading skills.

Examples include Matt de la Peña’s award-winningLast Stop on Market StreetandCarmela’s Full of Wishes, and Shel Silverstein’sWhere the Sidewalk Ends, The Giving Tree,andA Light in the Attic.

For Kids Age 7-9: Chapter Books

这个年龄,孩子现在可以读博oks that are 5,000 to 10,000 words long. The book is divided into chapters, and sketches instead of full-color illustrations are used.

Famous examples includeDiary of a Wimpy Kidby Jeff Kinney andThe Boxcar Childrenby Gertrude Chandler Warner.

For Kids Ages 9-12: Middle-Grade Books

These books are more advanced in story and prose. Word length can be around 30,000 to 50,000 words, and illustrations are sparsely used except as chapter headings.

JK Rowling’s early Harry Potter books fall under this category. Other classic examples areCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryby Roald Dahl andPercy Jackson and the Olympiansby Rick Riordan.

For Kids Ages 12-18: Young Adult Books

More commonly referred to as YA novels, these books are the same length as adult novels at 50,000 to 100,000 words. The subject matters are different, though. YA novels talk about adolescent topics like navigating life-changing situations.

Famous examples includeThe Fault in our Starsby John Green,饥饿游戏series by Suzanne Collins and theDivergentseries by Veronica Roth.

What Are Some Of The Success Factors for a Winning Children's Book?

Have you ever wondered why some children's books become household names while others languish on store shelves? It's not always easy to tell why one book catches on while other doesn't. However, certain factors can increase the chances of success for a children's book. When coming up with children’s book ideas, keep the elements below in mind to increase the chances of your success.

A Memorable Character

一个难忘的主角是最不之一rtant elements of a successful children's book. Think about some of the most popular children's books of all time. Chances are, the protagonists of those books are characters that readers can't forget. They're quirky, they're lovable, and they're relatable. As an author, it's essential to create a main character that kids will want to follow through the pages of your book.

An Engaging Storyline

除了一个难忘的主角,一个成功ssful children's book also needs an engaging storyline. Kids have short attention spans, so it's important to keep them hooked from beginning to end. To do this, ensure your story is fast-paced and filled with action and suspense. As the story progresses, you should also introduce new challenges and obstacles for your protagonist. This keeps readers engaged and rooting for your character until the end.

Illustrations that Pop

If a picture is worth a thousand words, illustrations must be worth even more—especially in a children's book. After all, kids are visual learners. They're more likely to engage with stories that feature bright, colorful illustrations that capture their attention. The book cover designmust also thoughtfully reflect the contents of your book.When choosing an illustrator for your book, select someone with experience creating visuals that complement the text and bring the story to life.

Educational Value

Nowadays, parents are looking for books to teach their kids something new to help them grow and learn. If you can weave educational themes into your story without sacrificing entertainment value, you'll surely attract parents’ and educators’ attention. But beware: too much educational content can make your book feel didactic or preachy. The key is to strike a balance between education and entertainment.

Family-Friendly Themes

Last but not least, successful children's books typically contain themes that resonate with families. Whether it's the importance of being kind or the challenges of navigating sibling relationships, kids (and their parents) can relate to themes like these on a personal level. When selecting themes for your book, try to choose topics that will resonate with kids and adults—topics that everyone in the family can enjoy together.

What’s Next for your children's book?

Now that you find it easier to choose a topic for your children’s book, it’s time to breakdown the next step in your journey:

1. Write down your book

2. Revise and edit your work, you cancontact a content specialist to proofread and edit for you

3. Bring you book to life with awesome children’s illustrations

4. Hirea professional Beta readerand make sure your book is ready to be published

5. Design a book coverthat both children and parents would love.

6. Write an awesome book blurb that will help you sell your book to parents

7. Publish your book

8. Market yourself and your bookon social media and other marketing channels.

Wrapping Up

Writing a successful children's book is no easy feat—but it is possible. If you're looking for a way to share your message with the world and make an impact on young minds, writing a children's book is the perfect way to do it. Remember to keep your target audience in mind and ensure your story is engaging and enjoyable for kids. And don’t forget – it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to write a successful children’s book, but the payoff can be gratifying.

Are you ready to take on this challenge? Check outself-publishing servicesto find the perfect freelancer to help create your children’s book.