5 Reasons Why You Should Write A Children’s Book

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I just spent a rainy afternoon reading and re-reading books to a toddler. Some of them were fantastic classics such as Where the Wild Things Are and The Little Engine That Could — delightful tales filled with wonderful imagery and positive messages. And others were spin offs of popular Disney and Pixar movies, lacking originality and creativity.

This got me thinking about writing.

We are what we read. The books we read throughout our childhood are partially responsible for who we are today. Sometimes, we even read them to find out who we are or may become.

Wouldn’t it make sense then to read what we want our children to be? Kindness, patience, empathy — all these moral principles can be instilled and strengthened by reading books emphasizing these very values.

Unlike adult literature, successful children’s books are generally simple works that tell a short story or anecdote in a way that appeals to young minds. So in the spirit of trying new things, here are five reasons why you (yes you) should write your own children’s book.

1. Everyone has a story to tell.

Unlike adult fiction, children’s fiction is literally boundless. You don’t need a complex plot theory for a children’s book. You can (and some have) literally used a trip to the laundromat or grocery store as the basis for a book. Some of the most beloved children’s books center on simple everyday situations. Children often prefer these types of books to the fantastical, especially when they are still at the age where they are trying to understand the “normal” world.

Drawing inspiration from everyday life creates stories your child can identify with.

2. Everyone has a past to share.

It’s a great way to share some of your own history or interests. Telling your little ones about your childhood, for example, is a wonderful way to stimulate their imagination while sharing your memorable moments with them. They will discover a piece of your past, hear stories about how the world used to be, and most importantly, learn more about you.

Sharing your past with your children is one of the most valuable and interesting gifts you can ever bestow upon them.

As you bring your past to paper, it is permanently preserved for not only your children, but your grandchildren, and the children of your grandchildren. What better way to preserve a bit of your own history than to make it into a children’s book?

3. It’s a fantastic way to encourage your child’s unique interests.

Sometimes, your children’s interests may be so unique that even after searching high and low for books that would address their interests on a subject, you are unable to find any. So why not make it your personal mission to transfer your kids’ peculiar interests into something tangible and meaningful by authoring a children’s book?

Validating their likes and interests will strengthen their creativity, imagination, and more importantly, their confidence.

And who knows? By writing about your children’s unique interests, you could be helping other families as well. You may think you have the only kid that is obsessed with lawn mowers, garbage trucks, or gemstones. In reality, there might be hundreds, if not thousands of other families out there waiting for the garbage truck to rumble by, or making a special trip down the street to watch the neighbor mow the lawn.

4. It’s not nearly as hard as you think.

Modern methods of self-publishing have substantially lowered the cost and difficulties associated with writing, illustrating, and publishing your own book. There was a time when you had to either convince a publisher to pick up your work or outlay a significant amount of money in upfront-costs to pay for a few hundred copies, which you then had to sell on you won. Today, you can self-publish in a print on demand fashion for a fraction of that cost. And for extra support, there are numerous coaches and guides that can show you how to write and publish your own children’s books.

5. And finally, the very reason mentioned above.

Kindness, patience, empathy — all these moral principles can be instilled and strengthened by exposing your children to books emphasizing these very values. Have a kid that loves monster trucks, but has a hard time saying please and thank you? Combine those two, and you’ll have an instant winner within your house.

Children, just like grownups have their preferences, favorites, and likes. So why not tap into them to teach those values we want them to learn and apply in everyday life? Writing your own children’s book will give you this flexibility.

There are many reasons to write your own children’s book, and very few excuses not to. Next time you find yourself thinking “that would make an adorable story for a children’s book,” don’t let it slip to the back of your mind. Instead, grab a pen and make it a reality. The little ones in your life will be forever grateful.

Call-To-Action

Need more actionable steps to get you started with the writing of your own children’s book? Receive your free and most comprehensive guide on how to write, illustrate, publish, and market your children’s book here.

What Inspires Me to Write for Children by Debbie Spence

We asked each of the 14 authors on our current roster a variation of the question, Why do you write children’s books? and we loved their answers. We think you will too! So, we’re sharing them on our blog during June and July. If you missed any of the previous posts you can read them right here. We love the beauty of storytelling and seeing how books can impact our own lives and the lives of the children our writing impacts too. We hope you enjoy reading the authors’ personal reflections, and encourage you to get comfy, grab a glass of sweet tea, and be inspired.

I was keenly aware that it was not something a fourth grader should be doing in front of my classmates, but I sat there with tears rolling down my cheeks. My teacher closed the book and I was devastated. Old Dan was gone. He had saved Billy from a mountain lion and perished doing so. Little Ann soon died of grief atop Old Dan’s grave. Where the Red Fern Grows rocked my world. I never forgot that book or the classroom where my teacher read it aloud to a group of emotional fourth graders.

Books are magical. They have the power to teach us, to transport us and to change us forever.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. From the moment John Boy Walton received his first Big Chief writing tablet, I knew that I too had a passion and a need to write, even at eleven-years-old.

Fast forward many years and as a mom of five children, my love of books and creating them did not dim. Homeschooling for twenty-four years provided countless opportunities to read aloud to my children. I was always searching for the perfect story that would change our lives as my life had been changed in fourth grade.

I wanted better stories for my kids than I could find. I was inspired to write to teach my children, to entertain them with wholesome, faith-based stories, and to reveal the worlds and characters that lived in my imagination. My family has always been my inspiration and my impetus for creating.

Today two little people call me Grandma. Their hunger for stories is insatiable. An afternoon pushing my granddaughter on the swing will consist of one story after another as she demands, “Another one!” I gladly dive into a silly tale of Mr. Robin Red Breast Red Vest who proudly wears a little red vest with four gold buttons. My inspiration, the robin sitting on the fence post. Grandma story telling is improv at its best.

I have often said that writing for children is the opportunity to change a child’s life in 32 pages. I believe that it is a privilege and serious responsibility to write for children. Books influence our thoughts and beliefs. The stories I create must encourage. Children need to know that they are loved, that they are important, and that they can do great things.

I am compelled to write so that children will fall in love with books, so that parents will take the time to engage in story time with their children, and that for generations to come my words will exist to help and delight a child.

Books that we read as children mark us deeply. They stay with us all through life lingering in our memories until we are old. They shape how we see the world, and they often shape how we see ourselves. It is the books we read as children that teach us to discover and to imagine.

I am a children’s author because somewhere inside of me is a little girl still hungering for an amazing story to change my life.

Debbie’s debut picture book with Little Lamb Books, tentatively titled Broken Crayons, is scheduled to release Fall 2021.