Procedure for Creating Illustrated Stories for Kids: Purchase, Lend, Never Plagiarize (Third Installment)
In the world of children's literature, writing a picture book is an exciting journey. Yvonne Blackwood, the author of the guest post, shares some essential factors to consider when preparing to write a children's picture book.
Page Sizes
When it comes to page sizes, standard picture book sizes are commonly around 8x8, 8.5x11, or 9x9 inches. The square or near-square formats are popular for visual balance and child-friendly handling. Size choice affects illustration detail and printing costs.
Page Count
Most picture books traditionally have 32 pages, which includes a front and back matter sequence. This count fits well with printing signature multiples and keeps the story concise enough for young readers.
Page Layout
The story is divided into spreads (two facing pages). Plan text placement and pacing across pages so each spread maintains narrative flow and reader engagement. Illustrations should interact closely with text to tell the story visually, guiding reader attention naturally. Typography must be clear, with appropriate font size and spacing for readability.
Pricing
Pricing depends on production costs (size, paper quality, color printing), market positioning, and distribution channel. For self-published picture books, pricing typically ranges from $10 to $20 retail. Keeping production standards professional helps justify price and ensures good visibility in sales channels.
Age Range
Picture books usually target ages 2 to 8, with text and themes tailored for developmental stages. Language should be age-appropriate—simple sentences, familiar vocabulary, and storylines reflecting children's interests and experiences. Safety and appropriateness of content are critical.
Additional Considerations
Additional considerations involve writing in a single point of view, keeping sentences short and engaging, showing rather than telling through action and dialogue, and formatting manuscripts using professional standards.
When writing a children's picture book, it's important to remember that physical examination of books—bought or borrowed—is necessary to learn about the characteristics of children's picture books. Yvonne Blackwood recommends buying some books for personal use and borrowing others from the library to save money.
Yvonne Blackwood is currently working on a children's picture book titled "Ronnie Rabbit," which is intended for the age group 3-8. She emphasizes the importance of avoiding overpricing a children's book due to lack of knowledge.
Reviewing children's books online can provide a cursory view, but the author emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the books in person. Joining or renewing a public library membership can offer a wealth of opportunities to read several children's books and gain valuable insights into the genre.
- Yvonne Blackwood, while working on her new children's book titled "Ronnie Rabbit," suggests that aspiring authors should also consider delving into home-and-garden selections, like children's picture books, to study the layout, page sizes, and overall lifestyle portrayed within the pages.
- To gain a comprehensive understanding of the lifestyle and aesthetics often associated with children's picture books, Yvonne Blackwood urges future authors to spend time examining books in their physical form, whether they are books bought for personal use or ones borrowed from libraries, which can be seen as a home-and-garden excursion of sorts.
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