How to Write a Children’s Book Template
It took me 4 years to learn everything I needed to write a children’s book and another year to actually write a good story. If only there was a “How to Write a Children’s Book” template to help me when I started. 🙈
I’ve heard from TONS of fellow KidLit writers that it takes 5-10 years to get your first publishing contract. And while that’s true for a lot of people, it DOES NOT have to be the rule. If you know what you’re doing upfront, you can expedite the publishing process.
How to Write a Children’s Book Template in 3 Easy Steps:
There are three main things you need to know when you want to write a children’s book:
- Is your story idea a good one?
- Do you understand the basic structure of a children’s book?
- Are you able to outline your story idea before you start writing?
Once you are able to answer and show you understand these three questions, you’re able to start writing your kid’s book. And here’s how you can start to answer these questions.
1 – Is your story idea a viable one?
A lot of writers begin writing about a great idea they have without doing ANY research beforehand, only to realize that their idea has already been done before. Then they can’t sell that story that they spent HOURS working on.
But that doesn’t have to be you.
Instead, you should research your story idea before you ever start typing. Make sure you know what books already exist and when they were last published. Go to the store or library and read them. This is the only way to make sure you’re truly being original.
2 – Do you know the basic structure of a children’s book?
I hear it all the time: “Oh, I could write a kid’s book!”, “Writing kids’ books is easy!”, or “I have the best idea for a kid’s book.” But normally the person saying this has NO IDEA what it takes to write a children’s book.
Even though kids’ books are relatively short compared to novels, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a structure you have to follow. You need to understand what genre you’re writing for, who your comp books are for your story idea, and what components you need to include to make a good story. And this only comes from learning about kids’ books.
3 – Are you able to explain what your story’s about before you start writing?
I know there are a lot of pantsers in the world, but I don’t believe that’s a good way to start out writing your story. There are still components that you need to know before you sit down at the computer. Like, who’s your story about and what’s going to happen to them?
Even if you don’t plan on writing an outline for your story and would prefer your character’s to speak to you as you write, you should still understand the answers to those two questions. It’s the only way to know that what you’re writing isn’t going to have to be tossed out later. 🤗
You do not have to have an English background to write a children’s book. Anyone can learn how to do this! All you need is the proper tools. And to save you tons of time and research, I’ve created an easy to follow, step-by-step template to get you started.
Download the “How to Write a Children’s Book” template here and get started writing that story idea of yours! Every book deserves a place on a child’s bookshelf if you write it well enough. With this template, you’ll have all the tools to ensure that incudes your story. 😚
And if you want more help writing your children’s book, check out these other articles around the blog:
- Everything you need to know to write a kid’s book
- All you need to know to publish your kid’s book
- How to market your kid’s book when you’re ready
- 4 Quick Editing Tips for Your Kid’s Book
Thanks for these great starting tips. I look forward to seeing the template and moving forward on the ideas I have.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful. Keep going with your story! 🙂
Hi, I would like to receive a free template to start writing a childrens story book. I think the template would be really helpful. I attempted to sign up and not received anything. Would you be able to resend it to me. Thank you, Vivian
Hi Vivian! Thanks for letting me know. I sent you another email. Double-check for “Brooke Van Sickle” or “brooke@journeytokidlit.com” in your spam folders if you don’t see it. Happy writing! 🙂
Hello dear!
The Template doesn’t arrive to my email 😕 I’ve tryed 3 times and nothing could you help me pls?
Thanks
Regards
Sara
Hi Sara –
Sorry to hear about that! I just sent you a separate email to this address with the template attached. It’s coming from brooke@journeytokidlit.com. If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam. Hope it helps improve your story! Can’t wait to hear how your writing journey goes! 🙂
Hello Good evening I would love to receive a copy of the template if its still available. Thanks in advance
Hi Logan – Thanks for reaching out! Just sent you an email — check for it from brooke@journeytokidlit.com. (It might be in your promotions or spam folder if you don’t see it right away.)
Good Morning,
I did not receive my free template as of yet. Can you please help or resend it?
Thanks
Regards
Farasha
Hi Farasha! Sorry about that. You should see an email from me — look for “Brooke – Journey to KidLit” or “brooke@journeytokidlit.com” in your inbox. Thanks for letting me know!
I would love to receive the free template for my daughter. Thank you.
Hi Reina! I just sent you an email with a link to the template. Check your inbox for something from “Brooke Van Sickle” or “brooke@journeytokidlit.com”. Have fun writing your story!
I like writing children’s book ladybugkate
I am looking forward to writing my own children’s book, thank you. Also would love to collaborate with anyone writing books specifically for babies and toddlers, to include on my website and perhaps in a package for a children’s clothing business I’m working on. Anything educational would be great.
Wonderful! If you’re looking for a hybrid publisher at all, I recommend checking out bibliokidpublishing.com. They’re a great resource to help you with ending, illustrating, and having books printed. Good luck with your writing journey ❤
I have submitted my name and email a few times and still haven’t received the template. Can you check on it?
Hey Molly! I saw that – and it looks like it keeps bouncing. Do you have another email address or do you have any added security features that may be preventing it from being delivered?
Good morning,
I promised my ladies prayer group to have my children’s book completed by my birthday which is tomorrow! It’s a simple story about how I launched my multicultural children’s consultant business from one act that happened to my four year old son at pre-school. The story is 30 years old but the challenges are still the same today. I’ve got most of the book written but it’s difficult writing it in WORD not knowing how to place the photos. Is their a template in your downloadable? As a former teacher and now nonprofit youth advocate, it’s time to share this story with the world. Thanks in advance!
Hi Margo! That’s awesome. What a fun book 🙂 And yes! It’s free to download — here’s the link to get the template: http://journeytokidlit.com/childrens-book-template
Excited to hear how it goes!
Good Morning,
I did not receive my free template as of yet. Can you please help or resend it?
Thanks
Miguel
Just sent you an email — check your inbox. 🙂
Thank you for this post and template! I have been sitting on this idea for a while and am finally ready to start on my project!
Yay! I’m so excited for you. 🙂 You’re most welcome! Have fun getting it started!
Hello, really excited to move forward with this I have been working on it for a few years now. However, I have not received the free template to get started. Can you please send it again?
Kindest regards,
Marissa
Thanks for letting me know! Just sent you an email. 🙂
Hi I did not receive the template as of yet! Could you please resend!
Thank you for your time!
Emily
Just sent you an email from brooke@journeytokidlit.com!
Hi Brooke, thank you so much for taking the time to create this template. My template showed up under the “Promotions” tab in Gmail, just a tip for those of us requesting it in the future. 🙂
Having a hard time receiving the email. Very interested in the free template!
Hi Katie! Just sent you an email — look for the subject line “here’s your CB template!” from Brooke – Journey to Kidlit. 🙂
I would love the template as well. I did submit but it never arrive. Thank you!!!!
Hey Annie! Just sent it to you again — check for the subject line “Here’s your children’s book template” from Brooke – Journey to Kidlit or brooke@journeytokidlit.com. Sometimes it goes into Spam or the Promotions tab in Gmail so check them both. Let me know if you see it!
Hello,
I submitted my information for the template, but I still haven’t received it. Can you help?
Hey Shawnteyana! Just sent it to you again — check for the subject line “Here’s your children’s book template” from Brooke – Journey to Kidlit or brooke@journeytokidlit.com. Sometimes it goes into Spam or the Promotions tab in Gmail so check them both. Let me know if you see it!
Hi Brooke, Thank you for making this helpful toolkit available! I’ve tried to download it and checked my spam, but can’t see an email from you. do you mind sending it again, please?
Can’t wait to get started!
Hey Odette! Looks like you were able to get it. Have fun working on your story! 🙂
Hi Brooke. Good morning. I’ve submitted my name and email, but don’t see the template. Given some of the comments already posted, I checked my spam prior to posting my comment. Would love to use it. Thanks.
Just sent it your way! Check for an email from brooke@journeytokidlit.com — sometimes it goes into your promotions folder in Gmail.
Hey! Could I get the free template as well? I’ve been looking for something like this to help, it’s so hard getting started! Thank you!
Hey Kenzie! Thanks for reaching out. For sure! Just sent the children’s book template to your email — check for something from brooke@journeytokidlit.com in your inbox. (It might be in your promotions folder if you don’t see it right away.) Have fun working on your story!
Hello! I would love a copy of the Children’s Book Template. I tried the download button above and it didn’t seem to work for me. So excited about this!
Hi Lucy! Sent the template your way — let me know that you received it. 🙂
Hello, can I get the template as well. It didn’t send it to my email and I checked all the places.
Just sent it to you Angie! Check for the subject line “here’s your children’s book template” or an email from brooke@journeytokidlit.com. (Might go into spam or promotions.)
Nice Brookeva
God bless you for sharing