Help! What makes a great children's book great?

That’s the ten thousand dollar question, and there is no one easy answer. I worked in the youth services department of a public library for eighteen years. As a professional reviewer for over ten years, I have developed the skill of recognizing and analyzing the crucial elements that make for a strong, successful story for children. Most of the elements are tangible, but there is also something that is not so tangible and which is hard to describe, but one that speaks to an emotional or visceral response.

Common Problems I See in Children’s Books And Manuscripts

• Writing that “talks down” to children. By this I mean that the book is written in a manner that is actually condescending.
• A story that is too preachy. The lesson or message is too obvious – telling kids what to think as opposed to letting them figure out the lesson or story through reading, or listening, in the case of audiobooks.
• It is obvious that the author does not understand the reading level of the intended readers.
• Lack of understanding of the different categories of children’s books and their reading levels or ages.
• Illustrations that distract instead of enhancing the text. If an author is published by a traditional publisher, the illustrations are not under the author’s control. The publisher determines who illustrates the book, unless the author is also an illustrator.
• The dialogue is unrealistic in terms of realism and/or situations for the intended reader.
• The author demonstrates unfamiliarity with the elements of a successful children’s book.
• Author has no experience with children and how they think.
• Dry, non-active passive text that sounds like one description after another. No challenges, no conflict, no resolution. Writing likes this is dull … boring.
• Failure to understand that young children need a definite happy, hopeful ending.
• Plot is too complicated for the intended reading/listening audience.
• Story is too long (wordy) for the intended reader/listener.
• Too many points of views.

I hope this has been helpful. Happy Writing!