Definition

Tips for Writing a Children’s Picture Storybook

Characterization

Children’sPictureStorybook—Aworkwrittenforchildrenthatuses both textand illustrations topresent asimple plot.

Format

Mostpicturebooksaverage30pages,15 two-page spreads.

A spreadisthetwopages ofanopen book. Our book will have 6-12spreads (12-24 pgs.).

Text

  • The textofa children’sbookshouldbeorganizedintosimplesentencesand shortparagraphs.
  • Theuse of active verbs will keep the story vividinthereader’smind.
  • Children’sbookauthorsemployliterarytoolstohelpmakethestorymorevividinthereader’smind.Rhythm,alliteration,repetition,refrains,onomatopoeia,simile,personification,rhyme, andimageryarecommonlyuseddevices.
  • Considerendingeachpagewith a questionor othermethod thatsparks the reader’scuriosityforwhat willhappen next.
  • Repeating a phrasethroughout the story will help holdyour reader’s attention.
  • Use a questionattheendofthepagetohelp moveyourreadertothenext page.

Illustrations

  • Somepicturebookshaveanillustrationon thefrontcoverthat presentsthe mainconflictorpointof thestory.
  • The illustrations are usuallycreated afterthetexthasbeen written.
  • Illustrationsserveas a partnerto thetext.

  • The maincharacter should have one or two easilyidentifiabledominanttraits.
  • Present the traitsofyourcharacters through both theillustrationsandtext.
  • Young childrenshould be able to easilyidentifywiththedominanttraits.
  • Avoidusing textto present detaileddescriptionsofwhatthecharacterslooklike.Let the illustrations presentthephysicaldetailsofthecharacter.

Conflict

  • Limityourstorytojust oneconflict that themaincharactermustovercome.
  • Themaincharactershouldbeable todeal with themainconflictinconcreteterms.
  • The maincharacter should resolvetheconflicthim-orherself.
  • Fourofthemostcommontypesofconflictareindividualvs.individual,individual vs. society,individual vs.nature,and individualvs.self.
  • Someofthemostcommonconcernsofchildrenincludeacceptance byothers, familydynamics,physicalgrowth(especiallysizeandlooks), and fearoftheunknown(e.g., learningsomethingnew, participating in a newactivity,going toanew place,gettinglost).

Plot

  • A solid,well-developedplotisessential to creating agoodchildren’sbook.
  • Theresolutionof the conflictshould teach a lesson.However,thelessonshouldnot betoldin a didacticwaybutinstead bepresentedindirectlythrough theplot.
  • Jump right intothe mainconflictofthe story.
  • Flashbacks should be usedwith greatcaution. Theycanconfuseyoungerchildren.