There are many wonderful children's books in the world, they can be read and re-read by both children and adults. And you wanted to write another one. Also wonderful. There is just a little left to figure out. Where to start, where to look for inspiration, how to choose the right name?
What is wonderful in children's literature is that the only yardstick here is the author's imagination. This is a whole world in which anything is possible.
The book starts with an idea
Even if you have a brilliant idea and want to get started quickly, take your time. Check out the results of searching for similar books on the Internet first. Why? Because it’s not worth wasting time and energy on writing what has already been written by someone.
So go to Google, type in the phrase "children's book" in the search field, and next to it is a summary of the idea. Examine the results. Be sure to read the annotation, study the content of similar stories. Determine how your book will differ from the existing one. This procedure takes 2 minutes at most. It is necessary so that you do not invest in what has already been written by someone else.
Don't be discouraged if "everything was written before you." Just develop the idea and change the plot a little. So you were going to write about a dog from a shelter who found a new home? Wonderful! Come up with a distinctive feature for the dog. Describe what is happening through the eyes of a dog, not a child. You wanted to write about the friendship of a dragon and a princess. But exactly the same story just caught your eye? Replace the dragon with a dinosaur, and the princess with an ordinary girl living in a city apartment. Play with the plot. Perhaps at the end, readers will find an unusual denouement or surprise.
Who are you, the main character?
Think over the look of the main character. Do you know which characters are most memorable for children? Unlike others. Funny. Strange. They may have funny habits. Or the manner of speech. Just don't forget - the main character must be alive. Similar to ordinary children.
Here is a small questionnaire that will help you work out the image of the main character or heroine.
1. What does the main character want?
2. What are its advantages and disadvantages?
3. Is he an extrovert or an introvert?
4. How is he different from the rest of the children?
5. Does he doubt himself or is he overconfident?
6. Does he have pets? (If we are talking about a pet, does it have owners?)
7. What makes your main character happy?
8. Does he have any secrets?
9. How can he surprise everyone around him?
10. What he loves that others hate. Boiled fish, for example. Kidding.
If you answered at least 8 out of 10 questions, congratulate yourself. Your hero looks alive.
When volume matters
It is very important to decide on the volume of the book. And for this it is important to know at what age the future work is designed.
1. Children under 3 years old prefer as many bright illustrations as possible. If the book is for toddlers, 200 words are enough.
2. If you are writing for children 2-5 years old, limit yourself to 500 words.
3. For kids 3–7 years old, 800 words are enough.
4. For children of primary school age, colorful books of up to 1,000 words are perfect.
5. For schoolchildren 5-10 years old, the volume of words can reach 10,000. Such a book may contain chapters.
6. And from 7 to 12 years old, the maximum length of a literary work should not exceed 30,000 words.
Remember, it is a bad idea to "spread" a thought along a tree. Especially when it comes to a children's book.
Hurry up to be in time and don't be afraid to puzzle
You have an idea and a unique plot. There is a main character. You know the approximate volume. Time to get started. This must be done quickly. The plot must develop, not drag, otherwise the reader will quickly lose interest. If you are writing about a trip to the forest, then you should go there on the first two pages. No need for long introductions and biographies. The reader will not master a boring introduction, put the work aside and forget about it.
Be sure to puzzle the hero. You have to ask him a puzzle that will capture and consume him. The hero must definitely overcome some difficulty. He should not do this too easily. Otherwise, the book will be uninteresting. Let him try and fail the task, make a mistake. Despair and, of course, will find a way out.
Obstacles should stand in the way of your hero. Not one or several. If he decided to defeat the dragon or go on a trip around the world, he must get a sword and chain mail or build a ship. And mom will call him to dinner or remind him that it's time to do homework. Because you can't go to the dragon with unfulfilled lessons.
Your hero must be imbued with a problem. This must be a matter of utmost importance. As long as this feeling is broadcast by your hero from the pages of the book, the reader will feel the same. He will be engrossed in the task. Will root for the hero. Experience with him.
Some nuances
Use repetitions. Because the kids love it. Repeat phrases and words. Put them in the mouth of the protagonist. Let them define it. Remember - the highlight of a children's work is not only the story itself, but also illustrations to it. Make sure the illustrators have something to work with. The illustrator will have more opportunity to show imagination if the main action takes place outside the enclosed space. For example, in the forest, not at home or at school.
You developed an idea, put it into words, and managed to captivate the reader. It's time to finish the book. You have a couple of pages for the ending. Not more. Because the problem has been solved, the tension has eased, there is no need to hold the reader's attention anymore. We must take care of the aftertaste.
What's your name, book?
You will come up with the title of the book after you finish it. Because a rare author imagines, to the letter, how the plot will develop and even how the main character will behave. What if instead of ice cream, he wants cotton candy and the course of history changes? Never be in a hurry with a name.
It is better to use words for the same letter or action verbs in the title of the book. Did you get the idea to write about how a boy or girl went to the circus and found a little chicken there, which turned out to be an ostrich chick? Do not write "Going to the circus" in the title. It's boring. Write better "Chicken in the circus". Do you want to describe a trip to the forest for mushrooms? Do not write "How we went to pick mushrooms." Write "How Masha won the fly agaric." Here you have alliteration and an action verb that introduces intrigue. How did you win?
Check on the Internet if there is already such a name for a children's book. At the very end, check your invention on children and adults. Pay special attention to children. Is the child intrigued when he hears the title of the work, or is he frankly bored?
In the end, you just have to carefully re-read and shorten the story. Arm yourself with the Delete key and once again go over the text. Ask yourself: "And if I delete this word or this phrase, the story will lose its meaning?" If you do not lose - feel free to delete.
If you follow the advice, have patience, luck or a muse will smile at you. You will write a wonderful book for children.
