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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 template | free children's book template | free download

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:

  1. Who’s your story about?
  2. What’s the point of your story?
  3. 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.

Download the free children's book template

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. 😚

Download the free children's book template

And if you want more help writing your children’s book, check out these other articles around the blog:

Download the Children’s Book Template and Get Started Writing Today!

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53 Comments

      1. 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

        Reply

        1. 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! 🙂

          Reply

    2. 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

      Reply

      1. 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! 🙂

        Reply

    3. Hello Good evening I would love to receive a copy of the template if its still available. Thanks in advance

      Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

      1. Thank you . I’ve written the book.. But unsure if success .. It’s very good I’ve been told.

        Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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 ❤

      Reply

    1. 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?

      Reply

  7. 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!

    Reply

  10. 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

    Reply

  12. 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. 🙂

    Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

  16. 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!

    Reply

  17. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

  20. Hello, can I get the template as well. It didn’t send it to my email and I checked all the places.

    Reply

    1. You’re most welcome! You should’ve received an email with the template for you to download, too. Comes from broke @ journeytokidlit — be sure to check spam and promotions folders if you don’t see it.

      Reply

  24. Hi I would love to get the free template but I’m not seeing it in any of my folders. Please send me the free template. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

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