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 know that it would’ve taken me WAY less time than that to write a good kid’s book!
Once you know what you’re doing up front, you can expedite the publishing process. Because you’ll know how to draft a character, develop your plot, and write your story with focus in a way that will make it ready to send to a publisher.
Let me show you how to do that. 👇
How to Write a Children’s Book in 3 Easy Steps — AKA an easy children’s book template:
There are three main things you need to know when you want to write a children’s book:
- Who’s your story about?
- What’s the point of your story?
- How’s it going to end?
Once you are able to answer these three questions, you’re able to start writing your kid’s book. (Think of this like a “How to Write a Children’s Book Template”.)
Here’s how you can start to answer these questions.
1 – Who’s your story about?
We learn in elementary that every story has a character and that’s still true for your children’s book. Your character can be –
- A human
- A personified animal
- Or even the reader themself!
Anyone who is the focus of the story you’re trying to tell is who is the star of your story.
2 – What’s the point of your story?
This is what Lisa Cron loving refers to as your “so what factor” and what I call your — why does someone need to read your book slash why should they care about that person you just chose to tell your story about in question 1?
The answer is what your story focus should be.
Now, I know that there are some of you who want to write a story about a child who’s kind to others or who learns how to be more courageous or self-confident. However, that’s NOT the point of your story.
Your story focus needs to be an external goal outside of the character’s inner thoughts so it can drive the plot. (Something like to make a friend on their first day of school or slay the sleeping dragon.) That is the point of your story.
The rest is just a theme or takeaway after the reader finishes the book. It isn’t a reason to get them to start reading.
3 – How will it end?
Otherwise known as the conclusion of your story — you must now decide what’s going to happen to your character in the end. Are they going to get what they wanted all along? Do you have a surprise ending that the reader might not be anticipating?
There are 2 things that are important to think about when putting together the final piece of your children’s book template:
- Your character should solve the problem on their own. (Instead of using a parent to do it for them.)
- You should try to incorporate a fresh take or twist to make it stand out. (Doesn’t have to be completely out-of-the-box, but something that will be enough to surprise the reader.)
You do not have to have an English background or know how to draw or even have ANY experience in writing to create a children’s book. Anyone can learn how to do this!
All you need is the proper tools.
So 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.
Because EVERY book deserves a place on a child’s bookshelf if you write it well enough. 😚
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! 🙂
I’d like free template
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