Everything you need to know about writing for children.
If your goal is to write a successful children’s book, you must take the time to learn the art of writing. If you wish to acquire the skills needed to produce a well-written book, this may be the most important guide you will ever read.
Learn to: Develop a story idea Find your target audience Understand story arc and structure Write creative fiction or nonfiction stories Use appropriate tone and vocabulary Understand rhyme scheme and meter Write a perfect rhyming story Create compelling characters Write meaningful dialogue Choose the best narrator for your story Decide which tense works best for you Make every word count Write a meaningful summary and bio And so much more… Grab your copy now and start your dream children's book!
Bobbie Hinman holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and is a former elementary teacher. She has applied her knowledge of children’s literature to the creation of a series of fanciful fairy books that have received 26 children's book awards. Bobbie’s premise is simple - Who better to blame it on than a fairy? •The Fart Fairy is responsible for embarrassing sounds and odors. •The Knot Fairy tangles our hair while we sleep. •The Sock Fairy is responsible for lost and mismatched socks. •The Belly Button Fairy makes sure every child has one belly button and it's "always in the middle". • The Freckle Fairy visits sleeping children and gives them kisses that magically turn into freckles
I wish I had this book when I started writing. Bobbie Hinman teaches with examples what works for a young audience. She does uses examples to show writers how to improve each skill. A worthwhile read for any aspiring author!
This is a resource I wish I had when I was writing my first book. Instead I've received it a year and a half later as a Goodreads giveaway. And it really is a good overview by an author who has several books published.
That's all it is, though, an overview. The chapters are extremely short, lacking a certain depth I had expected from a book about mastery. Despite some vocabulary, it feels like it could very well be How to Master the Art of Writing Children's Books, Kids Edition. This isn't a bad thing, though. A book about writing books for kids that's accessible to kids would be fantastic.
Although one thing that did get some depth was poetry. You can tell this author loves poetry (which she attributes to Dr. Seuss in her acknowledgments, which isn't surprising). There's discussion of rhyme schemes and meter that I think would benefit authors of other Goodreads giveaways I've received. But she's obviously much more interested in this than other aspects of storytelling.
Another quibble I had was a quick note in the section about graphic novels. There's a mention about the different age groups graphic novels could be written for, with the last mention of "and even adults." My first instinct was that she included this because it was a surprise to her. But it could be that she expects readers to be surprised by this even though graphic novels for adults have existed for decades now.
"Writing for children is bloody difficult; books for children are as complex as their adult counterparts and they should therefore be accorded the same respect." ~ Author Mark Haddon
If you're of the opinion that children are simple creatures who are content with simple books that are absurdly easy to produce, you need to take a step back and read this book. It contains the best advice I've found so far, laid out for you clearly. I especially valued the explanation of how to respect a child's growing vocabulary, by helping them learn without overwhelming or confusing. I suggest reading one chapter a day, then thinking about what you've just learned, and practice writing with that advice in mind. I know I will be!
I've written for older kids (ages 10-13) but haven't had the nerve to 'go younger'. After reading this book, I feel comfortable about giving that a try soon. I'll keep this book close by for reference when I take the plunge. All in all, an excellent resource.
This book is what every children's author needs to help write a successful children's book. The author did a fantastic job giving every part of the journey clear and straightforward instructions. She gave examples of why someone would want to write a book by learning the language of writing, from basic sentences, colorful imagery using adjectives and verbs to necessary story elements, and so much more. She dived into how to write a rhyming story and finished up with revising and perfecting your manuscript. I love the quotes from famous authors at the end of each chapter. This book is such a valuable resource. I highly recommend it to authors of all experiences.
Written by someone who knows children and from the experience from writing and publishing her books. Follow these guidelines and you'll move forward with your writing dreams.
This quick read covers the full process of writing children's books, including outlining a plot, using rhyme, editing, and illustration. It's a great supplement to my degree in Creative Writing and would work as a textbook for an Intro to Children's Books class.
Excellent for beginners and for polished writers. Easy to understand with examples to bring across the main points. Highly recommend to all writers of children’s books (and beyond).
If you're writing a Children's book or thinking about writing a Children's book, this is your blueprint! As a new author, I am always seeking guidance and Bobbie has poured her wealth of wisdom into this book. There are so many nuggets that had me say "AHA! I'm on the right track." From choosing a title to writing your book summary, you will be guided every step of the way on how to master the art of writing a Children's book. This will definitely be added to my bookshelf!