For the Kiddos!

A writer can certainly express his or her creativity by writing a children’s book. I have written over thirty in addition to 50 short stories in the McPooch state series. I do my own illustrations so that’s double fun for me. The point (and there is one) a writer should be aware that all are not lumped into the same category.

I’m talking about age classifications not the broad context of fiction or nonfiction and all the subcategories under each.

There are different genre’s depending on the age of the child. Publishers use these categories to market your book. Parents seeking a book to delight a child will use the age classification to find the books in that category.

PICTURE BOOKS. The audience for these books are ages 2-8. We can break that into 2-4 and 5-8. In the 2-4 age range the parent will read the story to the child. The story is told in pictures and just enough words to move the story along. In my Christmas Dragon series, I wrote for this age group in “A Dragon for Christmas.”

In the 5-8 age range, a writer can introduce a simple plot. With the same theme as a lost dragon, I expanded the text to include a plot in “Don’t Call Me Cranberry.” The dragon gets into trouble and needs rescuing. I also included a multiple choice section at the end of the book. The questions are based on the story. A five or six year old with the help of the parent can figure out the right answer. A 7 or 8 year old can probably do it on their own.

The illustrations are the star of picture books. If you are not an artist you might have to hire just the right person to illustrate your book. There are different illustration styles such as whimsical, realistic, cartoon. The style of the art gives flavor to your text. You can send your story to a literary agent without illustrations. If the agent chooses to represent you, the agent will contact an illustrator.

EASY READER. A simple story with complete sentences. The child is meant to read it, in contrast to a picture book that an adult would read to the child. Your character will face a challenge. How your character overcomes that challenge will teach the child how he or she might overcome a challenge in his or her life. Keep it basic…how to avoid going to the dentist by brushing your teeth is a good lesson.

CHAPTER BOOKS. This story maybe 4,000 to 15,000 words divided into chapters and should appeal to 7-9 age group. The reader will have developed reading skills by now. Still as a writer using “big” words should be avoided. Sometimes as an adult writer that frustrates us because we have a complex vocabulary. However children don’t, not yet. I don’t mean writing down to a child. I mean using simple or basic words to tell the tale.

YOUTH NOVELS. For 7 to 9 year olds, 2,000 – 10,000 words; for 9 to 12 year olds; 20,000-40,000 words. For 13-18 year olds; 40,000 – 80,000 words in length. You get the point that the stories for 7 and 8 year olds are not going to have the complexity as those stories for 12 year olds. Certainly if you’re writing a book to appeal to 17 or 18 year olds it will probably have themes of friendship, love, family. These days it might also tackle sex and drugs.

For the younger ages in youth novels I wrote books with animal heroes…"Maybelline," an ostrich with a dream to be a Hollywood star and “Swine Patrol” about three potbellied pigs that sniff out drugs. Both books have themes of perseverance and family. Also “James and the Incredible Flying Turd”…a humorous book but also about real life problems. James is human and the turd (I went off the deep end here…I wanted to create a sympathetic character from something that is most unsavory). Most youth novels will not have illustrations or, if they do, scattered throughout the book. “James and the Incredible Turd” has many illustrations, sort of a comic strip take on the story.

And you thought writing a children’s book would be easy. It’s complex. I’ve only given you a hint here. Do some research before you start. Fine tune your book to the appropriate age group. We write because we enjoy it or are driven to do it. Be creative. Have fun with it. Happy Writing!