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May 21, 2025 16 min read

How to Make a Children's Book: Complete Creator's Guide

Learn how to make a children's book from story to publication. Step-by-step guide covering writing, illustration, layout, and publishing options.

A children’s book combines simple storytelling with captivating illustrations to create magical reading experiences for young minds. Whether you’re creating a picture book for toddlers or an illustrated chapter book for middle-graders, making a children’s book is a rewarding creative journey that can spark imagination and foster a love of reading.

This guide walks you through every step—from developing your concept to holding a finished book in your hands.

Understanding Children’s Book Categories

Before you begin, know what type of book you’re creating:

Category	Age Range	Word Count	Pages	Illustrations
Board Books	0-3	0-100	10-14	Every page
Picture Books	3-8	500-1000	32	Every spread
Early Readers	5-7	200-2000	32-64	Most pages
Chapter Books	6-10	4000-15000	64-100	Some pages
Middle Grade	8-12	20000-50000	150-250	Few or none

This guide focuses primarily on picture books and illustrated books—where visuals are essential to the storytelling.

What You’ll Need

For Writing:

Notebook or writing software
Children’s books for reference (study what works)
Understanding of your target age group

For Illustrating:

Drawing software (Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop) or traditional materials
Scanner if working traditionally
Color palette planning tools

For Collaboration:

If partnering with an illustrator or co-author, platforms like Multic enable real-time collaboration
Clear communication about vision and style

Step 1: Develop Your Story Concept

Find Your Core Idea

Great children’s books often stem from:

A relatable childhood experience or fear
An interesting character with a clear problem
A concept that teaches through story (not preaching)
Wordplay, rhythm, or repetition that delights

Ask yourself:

What do I want children to feel after reading this?
What problem does my character face?
How does the character grow or change?
Is this story best told visually?

Know Your Audience

Children’s cognition varies dramatically by age:

Ages 0-3: Simple concepts, cause and effect, familiar objects, repetition, sensory words.

Ages 3-5: Basic plots, relatable emotions, imaginative scenarios, humor, rhythm and rhyme.

Ages 5-8: More complex stories, character development, problem-solving, beginning chapter structure.

Write for your specific audience—a 3-year-old’s attention span and vocabulary differ vastly from an 8-year-old’s.

Story Structure for Picture Books

Most picture books follow a simple three-act structure:

Beginning (pages 1-8): Introduce character and their world. Establish the problem or want.

Middle (pages 9-24): Character attempts to solve the problem. Things get worse before they get better. Build tension.

End (pages 25-32): Resolution. Character learns or grows. Satisfying conclusion.

The classic “rule of three” works beautifully—three attempts, three characters, three challenges.

Step 2: Write Your Manuscript

Picture Book Writing Tips

Show, don’t tell (let illustrations work):

Bad: “Lily was very scared.”
Good: “Lily’s knees wobbled.” (Artist draws her expression)

Use active, vivid verbs:

Bad: “The dog went across the yard.”
Good: “The dog bounded across the yard.”

Read aloud constantly: Children’s books are often read aloud. Does it flow? Is it fun to say? Are there tongue-twisters or awkward phrases?

Leave room for illustrations: Don’t describe what the pictures will show. Let text and art each do their job.

Word Count Guidelines

Board books: Under 100 words
Picture books: 500-800 words (some up to 1000)
Early readers: 200-2000 words

Every word must earn its place. Cut ruthlessly.

Manuscript Format

Standard picture book format:

HOW PENGUIN FOUND HIS WADDLE
By [Your Name]

Page 1:
Penguin stood alone on the ice.
All the other penguins had already found their waddle.

Page 2-3 (spread):
"Maybe my waddle is hiding," Penguin thought.
He looked behind an iceberg.
Nothing.

[Continue for 32 pages...]

Note page numbers and spreads (facing pages that work together).

Step 3: Plan Your Visual Story

Create a Book Dummy

A book dummy (or storyboard) maps your entire book:

Take 8 sheets of paper, fold in half, and staple to make a 32-page booklet
Sketch rough layouts for each page/spread
Paste in your text
Read through multiple times

This reveals:

Pacing problems
Where text and art compete
Page turn surprises (or lack thereof)
Visual variety (or monotony)

Page Turn Magic

In picture books, page turns are powerful. Use them for:

Reveals (“And behind the door was…”)
Surprises (“But then…”)
Punchlines
Emotional beats

Plan your text breaks so the exciting moment happens when the page turns.

Visual Pacing

Vary your compositions:

Full spreads for important moments
Spot illustrations for quieter beats
White space lets readers breathe
Close-ups for emotion
Wide shots for establishing location

Monotonous layouts (same size illustrations, same placement) bore readers. Mix it up.

Step 4: Develop Your Art Style

Style Considerations

Your illustration style should match:

The story’s tone: Whimsical, serious, silly, gentle
Your target age: Simpler shapes for younger kids
Your abilities: Can you maintain this across 15+ illustrations?

Study successful children’s book illustrators:

Eric Carle (textured collage)
Mo Willems (simple, expressive)
Oliver Jeffers (loose, painterly)
Shaun Tan (detailed, atmospheric)

Character Design for Children’s Books

Create characters that:

Have clear, readable silhouettes
Express emotions clearly (big eyes, exaggerated expressions)
Are consistent across every illustration
Appeal to your target age group

Make character model sheets showing:

Front, side, three-quarter views
Range of expressions
Size relative to other characters
Key poses

Color Palette

Color carries emotional weight:

Warm colors (red, orange, yellow): Energy, happiness, warmth
Cool colors (blue, green, purple): Calm, mystery, sadness
High contrast: Excitement, tension
Low contrast: Peaceful, dreamy

Establish a consistent palette. Consider how colors will look when printed (CMYK can dull bright colors).

Step 5: Create Your Illustrations

Technical Specifications

For print publication:

Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Color mode: CMYK for print
Bleed: 0.125” beyond trim
Trim size: Standard picture book is 8” x 10” or 10” x 8”

Illustration Workflow

Thumbnails: Tiny sketches of all pages together
Rough sketches: Larger, more detailed compositions
Feedback round: Get input before finishing
Final line art: Clean, polished drawings
Color: Apply your palette consistently
Final details: Textures, highlights, refinements

Digital vs. Traditional

Digital (Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop):

Easy corrections and iterations
Layers for organization
Exact color matching
Print-ready files

Traditional (watercolor, gouache, colored pencil):

Unique textures and warmth
May appeal to certain markets
Requires scanning/photography
Originals can be sold

Many illustrators combine both—traditional base art with digital refinement.

Collaborative Creation

If you’re working with a co-creator or want AI assistance with backgrounds and assets, Multic enables real-time collaboration. Multiple creators can work on the same project simultaneously, which is especially useful for writer-illustrator partnerships.

Step 6: Add Text to Your Pages

Typography for Children’s Books

Font choice: Readable, friendly fonts. Avoid overly decorative fonts for body text
Size: Large enough for adult readers (often reading aloud) and early readers. 14-18pt is common
Placement: Don’t cover important art. Integrate text thoughtfully
Contrast: Ensure text is readable against backgrounds

Text Placement Strategies

White space: Text on blank or simple areas
Text boxes: Colored or white boxes behind text
Shaped text: Text that follows illustrations
Consistent position: Some books keep text in the same spot

Step 7: Prepare for Publishing

Self-Publishing Options

Print-on-Demand:

Amazon KDP (widest reach)
IngramSpark (better bookstore distribution)
Blurb (high-quality options)
Lulu

Benefits: No upfront printing costs, global distribution Drawbacks: Lower margins, less control over quality

Offset Printing: For larger runs (500+ copies):

Higher upfront cost ($2,000-$10,000+)
Lower per-unit cost
Better print quality control
Required for bookstore distribution in quantity

Print Specifications

Standard picture book specs:

Size: 8” x 10”, 10” x 8”, 8.5” x 8.5”, or 11” x 8.5”
Pages: 32 (including covers) is industry standard
Paper: 80-100 lb coated text weight
Binding: Saddle stitch or perfect bound
Cover: Hardcover or softcover

File requirements:

PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4
All fonts embedded
CMYK color
300 DPI images
Proper bleed and crop marks

Traditional Publishing

If seeking a publisher:

For author-illustrators:

Submit complete dummy with sample finished spreads
Research publishers who accept author-illustrator submissions

For writers only:

Submit manuscript only (publishers pair writers with illustrators)
Do NOT commission illustrations before submitting

Finding publishers:

SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)
Publisher’s Marketplace
Agent Query
Research imprints that publish similar books

Query letter essentials:

Hook/concept
Brief synopsis
Word count and target age
Bio and relevant credentials
Comparable titles

Digital Publishing

Expand your reach with digital versions:

Amazon Kindle Kids
Apple Books
Interactive versions with read-aloud features
Enhanced ebooks with animation

Platforms like Multic also support interactive versions where readers can explore branching story paths—a modern evolution of the choose-your-own-adventure concept for young readers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Writing to teach, not entertain. Solution: Story first. If there’s a lesson, it should emerge naturally from character growth, not feel preachy.

Mistake 2: Too many words. Solution: Cut 20% more than you think. Let illustrations carry weight.

Mistake 3: Illustrations that duplicate text. Solution: Text and art should complement, not repeat. If text says “red balloon,” art can show the balloon without the illustration labeling it.

Mistake 4: Inconsistent character design. Solution: Use model sheets. Check character appearance on every page.

Mistake 5: Ignoring page turns. Solution: Plan dummy carefully. Put reveals and surprises after page turns.

Mistake 6: Adult vocabulary for young children. Solution: Read widely in your target age group. Know what words they understand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write a children’s book if I can’t illustrate?

Absolutely. Many successful children’s book authors don’t illustrate:

Submit text-only manuscripts to publishers (they’ll pair you with an illustrator)
Hire an illustrator for self-publishing (expect $2,000-$10,000+ for a full picture book)
Collaborate with an art student or emerging illustrator
Use AI tools for initial concepts, then refine with human artists

How long does it take to create a children’s book?

Timelines vary widely:

Writing: 1-6 months (including revisions)
Illustrating: 3-12 months for 32 pages
Publishing process: 1-2 years for traditional; weeks for self-publishing

How much does self-publishing cost?

Print-on-demand: $0 upfront (costs deducted from sales)
Professional editing: $200-$800
Hiring an illustrator: $2,000-$15,000
ISBN: $125 (or free through some POD services)
Marketing: Variable

Is it worth getting an agent?

For traditional publishing, agents help you:

Access major publishers (many don’t accept unagented submissions)
Negotiate better contracts
Navigate the industry

For self-publishing, agents aren’t necessary.

Should I copyright my book?

Your work is automatically copyrighted when created. Formal registration ($35-55 in the US) provides additional legal protections if you need to enforce copyright.

Getting Started Today

Creating a children’s book is a labor of love. Start with these steps:

This week: Read 10+ children’s books in your target age group. Study structure, word count, art styles.
Week 2: Write your first draft. Don’t edit yet—get the story out.
Week 3: Create a paper dummy. Sketch rough layouts. Read aloud repeatedly.
Week 4: Revise based on dummy insights. Start character design.
Month 2+: Begin final illustrations or seek an illustrator.

If you want to explore collaborative creation or experiment with AI-assisted art for your children’s book, try Multic free to see how real-time collaboration and visual storytelling tools can support your creative process.

The best children’s books combine memorable characters, engaging stories, and delightful illustrations—and they often become treasured family reading experiences. Your book could be the one a child asks to hear “just one more time.” Start creating today.