Categories of children’s books

	Picture books  - toddler to age 6 – 28 to 32 pages, usually not more than 1000 words
	Illustrated Storybook – an older picture book with more text—upper elementary grades
	Easy Readers – ages 5-8, limited vocabulary (High demand)
	Early Chapter Book – ages 6-9 – 65 to 90 pages (High demand)
	Middle Grade novel – ages 8-12 – 100 to 185 pages
	Upper Middle Grade novel - ages 11 to 14 – around 200 pages
	Young Adult novel – ages 12 and up – 200 pages and up- can use more adult subject matter, including some sex, profanity, or violence—the main difference from adult literature is the age of the protagonist

Types of Picture books

	Story Quiet –more of a calming, relaxing bedtime story Noisy—lots of action and color
	Concept Alphabet Numbers Shapes, Colors, etc.

Something to think about…

Make new things familiar and familiar things new.

Things to remember when writing a picture book:

	Use a child protagonist.
	Use active verbs.
	Use simple sentences.
	Don’t tell everything that can be shown in illustrations.
	Must have a beginning, a middle, and an end with a conflict and resolution (even if minor).
	Empower the child character—don’t have an adult solve the problem.
	Stick to one POV (the child’s).
	The story should be foremost, not the lesson.
	Probably avoid rhyming, especially for a first book.  If the rhyming is forced, it will ruin the book!
	Kids like to laugh.  Use funny words.  (Words with K sounds are funny.)
	Use as few words as possible.
	Be sure to research the market.  It would be hard to sell another alphabet book.
	Avoid alliterative animal names, like Bucky Beaver.

Storyboard Concept

	Most picture books are built on the 32 page structure (including the front pages).
	Make sure you have at least 14 to 28 illustratable scenes. Fold 2 sheets of pages into 16 squares each and plot out your text as illustratable scenes.

Organizations and Websites

	Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) www.scbwi.org (both regional and national chapters and conferences)
	Children’s Book Insider (a monthly newsletter with valuable information) Visit www.write4kids.com.
	Children’s Writing Resources  http://www.writerswrite.com/childrens/links.htm
	Children’s Book Publisher Directory http://www.writerswrite.com/books/bookpubs/childrens.htm