My First Children's Book
"Grampy and Leo's Special Day"
"Grampy N' Leo's Special Day"
My First Children's Book
Stepping outside my typical writing style of memoirs, essays, narratives, and poetry, I embarked on the creation of a children's book. My final class at UCLA Extension program to receive a creative writing certificate was how to write a children's book. I listened to my instructor and followed through with it after the class was over.
Inspired by my grand nephew, Leo, and my brother-in-law Jerry, my first children's book was a joyous and fulfilling project. I learned a great deal during the process, and I'm excited to share my insights with you. Let me tell you, it's more challenging than you would think, but the journey is incredibly rewarding.
Because I wanted creative control, I hired an illustrator. I trusted her with the suggestion that the characters be Koala Bears, something I hadn't thought about. I thought of foxes, brown bears, or bunnies. After doing my research, I discovered that there were too many picture books with those characters. So, Koala Bears it was!
Here Are Five Things I Learned During The Writing Process
1. You Need to Understand Your Audience
Before you write, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of the age group you are targeting and the interests of children in that age group. I chose 2- 6-year-olds, so I knew it could not be wordy or complex. Tailor your language, themes, and story complexity accordingly.
2. Focus on Themes and Messages
Children's picture books often convey essential themes and messages. Think about what you want to communicate through your book. Whether about friendship, kindness, diversity, or any other topic, ensure your message is clear and age-appropriate. My takeaway from Grampy's N' Leo's Special Day is below.
3. Ilustrations play a crucial role in bringing the story to life.
Because collaborating with a talented illustrator can enhance the overall impact of your book, I chose my own illustrator. Her style of art and characters captivated me, and I knew they would add an extra layer of excitement and imagination to my book.
Matching the text to the illustrations was the most challenging part for me.
4. Keep it Simple and Concise
Children have shorter attention spans, so it's essential to keep your text simple, concise, and engaging. Word count is important. Use language that is easy for children to understand. Be mindful of the length of your story, which is usually 24 or 32 pages.
5. Read and Research Before you write your own children's picture book, take the time to read a wide variety of children's books in the genre. Pay attention to what works well, how authors handle themes and language, and what engages young readers. Researching the market and understanding current trends can help you position your book effectively.
The lesson of spending a day with Grampy and Leo is to embrace life's unpredictability with an open heart and recognize that sometimes the best moments in life arise from unexpected moments. i Know I have found that to be true in so many ways.
You can purchase Grampy and Leo's Special Day here.
Maybe... just maybe I should think about making it a series :)
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