How to Write a Children's Picture Book | Advice From a Professional Picture Book Editor and Author

Writing a picture book seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world. After all, it’s a book for kids. And it’s short! How hard could it be, right? And it’s true, writing a children's book is easy. But writing a GOOD picture book? That’s something else.

Writing a really great picture book—one that everyone will be talking about—means understanding picture books. It means reading a ton of picture books. It means getting the mechanics of how a children's book goes together. And for that, there are six essential elements you need to understand: page count, target audience, book word count, book content, book illustrations, and the top-selling book themes for picture books.

So let’s dig in!

Timestamps:
0:00 Background
0:51 6 Step overview
01:10 Page count
02:55 Target audience
04:51 Word count
07:10 Illustration
10:10 Content | rhyming
12:55 Content | language
13:43 Themes | seasons
18:45 Themes | caveats around trends

Find Brooke Here:

[BidwellRunner]

"Kids at that age can't handle something heavy." The 1st graders I teach in Japan really liked the Demon Slayer movie, which handles death, delusions, and a lot of other heavier themes. Their picture books also deal with heavier themes, such as Gon, the Little Fox. I think we in the West underestimate what children can handle.

[pruthi]

It tells me you not only know the subject but you also have a mastery over it. Kudos!

[marjiescott]

I appreciate your advice. I have been writing and illustrating childrens books as a hobby that my children love, I recently decided maybe I could try getting them traditionally published, and I needed information on how publishers figure page count and your video was helpful, I feel more informed on the process. Thanks

[kwhitehomcd]

So nice to get such solid advice from a professional. I'm working on my first book and knowing the facts about what is important to a publisher is so helpful. Thank you.

[JaneStudios]

Thank you for giving great information. I had to suffer through 5-6 videos on "writing a picture book, " to actually get someone to talk about writing a picture book! Thank you

[dznightwolf]

Thanks 😊
Am working on my first picture book

[sheilasinghal]

Great video with tons of sensible and thoughtful advice. Thank you! 😊

[melindedemmers]

Thank you for taking your time to help and inform other aspiring writers/illustrators! 🤗 It’s very much appreciated 👍🏼👍🏼😊.

[ephraimmotho]

I'm onlyat 4:17 and I have already gained so much! Wow! Can't wait for the next 15mins!!! Thank you!

[trishwilliams]

Thank you very much for your input! I appreciate these valuable pointers. Great video!

[rohinis]

Heartfelt thanks from Bangalore, India .
Your video inspired me to come up with more than 20 ideas to write children book. 🙏

[frehatipu]

I read to my children each night. We have our favourites but also read new. I've thought the same as you on all your points. It's a real craft! You can see the effort made for the ones that are popular

[marymcandrew]

Thank you for the great tips, I'm going to do a word count on the story I'm working on!

[stewartfraser]

Brooke, an excellent and helpfully informative video. With material like this your channel deserves audience growth, good luck and thank you it has been very beneficial.

[mariaager]

Can you do a video on what to include in an en early readers chapter book?

[Loud_Thinker]

You're way up there with your advise. Thank you!

[MissCharmsie]

This is so helpful! Thanks for sharing :)

[marieunuka]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your tips with us. Im a newbie self taught writer, illustrator and now wanting to learn how to edit my own books as well. Im also looking at self publishing with either kdp or ingrem spark but im not sure yet. Anyway i have a lot of work to do so thank you once again for your videos. I look forward to learning more from you :) Have a great week. Kia Ora from NZ - Marie

[latricemcglothin]

Thank you for your posts! I am a new author and a good number of the tips offered me real time advise. Blessings 🎉

[katybug]

Do you have an advice for writing picture books for somewhat older children - like those by Patricia Polacco, or ones that do deal with a bit weightier topics?