More self-published authors are finding success with children’s picture books. Based on decades of experience working with independent creatives and mainstream publishers alike, we share the secrets of successful children’s picture books
A successful children’s picture book has the power to captivate young minds, ignite their imaginations, and encourage a love for reading. But what exactly makes a children’s picture book stand out from the rest? In this blog post, drawing on decades of experience working with mainstream publishing houses and self-published authors alike, we’ll share with you what we consider being the 12 essential elements that contribute to the success of a children’s picture book. From memorable characters to engaging illustrations, from simple yet meaningful stories to the power of humor, we’ll explain the key components that make a children’s picture book truly exceptional, valuable to both parents and children, and likely to sell.
1. Memorable characters
One of the primary factors—indeed, it’s probably fundamental—that can make a children’s picture book successful is truly interesting, relatable, and memorable characters. Children are naturally drawn to characters they can connect with, empathize with, and understand. Whether those characters are animals, humans, or even fairytale creatures, the protagonists in a children’s picture book should be unique, attractive, and interesting.
To create memorable characters, it’s important to consider the age group you’re targeting and to understand their interests and preferences. Animals, especially exotic ones, can spark children’s curiosity and get their imaginations going. And those animal characters needn’t always be cuddly and fluffy to appeal to kids. They can be, but children’s picture book authors have been successful with all kinds of animal characters. Leo Lionni, for example, has characters who are frogs, fish, and chameleons, among others. But, of course, dogs, bears, cats, and mice are always popular. Humans, on the other hand, provide a sense of familiarity and direct relatability. Including a mix of strong and diverse characters can enhance the appeal of your book and make it more appealing to a wider audience. But whether you choose animals, humans, or fantasy creatures, the key is to make your main character both child-like and aspirational.
2. Engaging illustrations
It goes without saying—or it should!—that the artwork in children’s picture books is an essential feature. The art in this genre must never be merely to illustrate the text. It should be an integral part of the narrative. The drawings and paintings you create to tell your story must bring the story vividly to life, capture the attention and interest of young readers, and enhance their overall reading experience. Bright colors, whimsical designs, humor, and captivating narrative elements are vital factors that make a children’s book visually appealing.
While not all authors are skilled illustrators, collaborating with a professional illustrator can help bring your story to visual fruition. The illustrations should integrate with the text, provoke emotions, and support the storytelling. The most successful children’s picture books have full color, full page spreads with lots that parents and children can point out and talk to each other about beyond the text.
3. Simple yet meaningful stories
Children’s picture books should have simple, easy-to-understand stories that resonate with young readers. Your storytelling should be age appropriate and cater to the developmental stage of your target audience. The plot should be straightforward, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Incorporating a lesson or a moral into the story can add depth and meaning to the narrative. Whether it’s about friendship, overcoming challenges, or embracing differences, these lessons can help children learn important values and life skills. By crafting a simple yet meaningful story, you can create a book that not only entertains but also educates and inspires young readers.
4. Humor and entertainment
Children have a natural affinity for humor, and incorporating it into your children’s picture book can make it more enjoyable and memorable. Humorous events, funny characters, and amusing situations can elicit laughter and create a positive reading experience for children.
Consider adding moments of comedic relief or silly antics to engage young readers and make them laugh. This can create a connection between the reader and the story, making them eager to revisit the book time and time again. By infusing humor into your children’s book, you can create an entertaining reading experience for children and adults alike. You can express the humor in the text, in the pictures, or—and this is often the most effective way—by contrasting the two.
5. Age-appropriate language
When writing a children’s picture book, it’s important to use age-appropriate language. The vocabulary, sentence structure, and complexity of the text should sit comfortably with your picture book’s target age group’s reading level. Balancing the challenge of introducing unfamiliar words while ensuring comprehension is key. So, don’t shy away from using more complex words and phrases, but make sure that they are embedded in a context which allows the child to grasp their meaning and expand their vocabulary rather than feel frustrated.
Rhyming can be an effective tool for engaging young readers and making the book more enjoyable to read aloud. Very young children also like to memorize a text they’ve heard several times. They learn to read by repeating the text aloud while following the written words on the page. However, it’s important to ensure that the rhymes flow naturally and don’t hinder the overall readability of the text. Remember, simplicity and clarity are essential in capturing and maintaining a child’s attention.
6. Interactive elements
Children’s picture books that incorporate interactive elements can enhance the reading experience and encourage active engagement. This can include asking questions, prompting readers to make choices, or incorporating interactive features like flaps, pop-ups, or tactile elements.
Interactive elements not only make the book more fun, but also promote cognitive development and critical thinking skills. By actively involving children in the story, you create a sense of ownership and foster their creativity and imagination.
7. Diversity and inclusion
In today’s diverse world, it’s important to create children’s picture books that reflect the experiences and identities of all children. Including diverse characters, exploring different cultures, and portraying a range of perspectives can foster empathy, understanding, and inclusivity.
Representation matters, and children should be able to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the books they read. By creating a diverse and inclusive book, you can promote acceptance, celebrate differences, and encourage a sense of unity among young readers.
8. A well-structured layout
The layout of a children’s picture book is vital in guiding the reader’s attention and creating a seamless reading experience. Each page should be carefully designed to maintain a balance between text and illustrations, allowing the story to flow effortlessly. Think about placing text and illustrations, making sure they complement and enhance each other. Pay attention to the pacing, page turns, and overall visual appeal of the book.
A well-structured layout can captivate young readers and make the reading experience more enjoyable and engaging. Most picture books rely heavily on the images to tell the story while the text and dialogue play a supporting role or provide insight and commentary on what the child can see illustrated on the page. Some children’s picture books, such as Quentin Blake’s book Clown, have no text at all. These books are especially powerful in encouraging imaginative storytelling and interpretation.
9. Emotional resonance
Children’s picture books have the power to provoke emotional responses and create lasting memories. By infusing your story with emotional depth, you can touch the hearts of young readers and leave a lasting impact. However, take care to make sure that your book doesn’t upset or disturb young readers. For the picture book age group, your stories should show clearly how obstacles can be overcome, difficulties resolved, and always have a happy ending.
However, that still leaves you lots of freedom to explore themes that resonate with children’s experiences and emotions, such as friendship, love, loss, or self-discovery. By addressing these universal emotions, you can create a connection between the reader and the characters, fostering empathy and emotional growth. The key is to do so thoughtfully and always to be sensitive to the impact such emotions may have while making sure no emotional element is left without a clear, positive resolution.
10. Readability and read-aloud appeal
Children’s picture books should be easy to read and have a natural flow. The text should have a rhythm and cadence that makes it enjoyable to read aloud. Consider the pacing, sentence structure, and use of repetition to create a captivating and memorable reading experience. Certainly, you should always read your text aloud as you write and revise it. Another possibility is to record yourself reading the book aloud and listening back to it.
Readability also extends to the use of typography and font choice. Clear and legible fonts, appropriate for the target age group, make sure that young readers can follow along and comprehend the text without difficulty. Incorporating onomatopoeia and sensory words can make the reading experience more interactive and immersive.
11. Market research
Understanding the market and the preferences of your target audience is vital in creating a successful children’s picture book. Research the current trends, popular themes, and best-selling books in the children’s book market. This will help you identify gaps and opportunities where your book can stand out.
Visit bookstores and libraries, read extensively in the genre you’re targeting, and analyze what makes certain books successful. Pay attention to the themes, characters, illustrations, and storytelling techniques that resonate with young readers. By staying informed and attuned to the market, you can create a book that meets the needs and interests of your target audience and so is more likely not only to give pleasure but also to sell.
12. Professional artwork and editing
Collaboration with professionals in the publishing industry can enhance the quality and marketability of your self-published children’s picture book. Employing the services of experienced editors, illustrators, and proofreaders who specialize in children’s literature is essential. Their expertise can help refine your story, improve the illustrations, and guide you through the publishing process.
Professional feedback and guidance can ensure that your book adheres to industry standards, too; and that it meets the expectations of the people who actually buy children’s books, because they are parents, legal guardians, teachers, and librarians, not the children themselves. Make the most of the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from experienced professionals to elevate your children’s picture book to its fullest potential.
To sum up, creating a successful children’s picture book requires a delicate balance of engaging characters, captivating illustrations, simple yet meaningful storytelling, humor, and age-appropriate language. By incorporating these essential elements, you can craft a book that not only entertains but also educates, inspires, and encourages young readers on their literary journey. With careful attention to detail, market research, and professional collaboration, your children’s picture book can make a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of young readers around the world.
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