The Truth About Making Books for Kids*
*According to me, just one guy, so far
These are my hard-earned, weather-worn book making truths, so far.
DISCLAIMER: As all things that might be taken as advice, be ready to chuck any of this directly in the compost bin with the banana peels and coffee grounds. Did you know you can put coffee grounds in your compost? Do the worms end up caffeinated? Is this good? OH MY — DO I WANT WORMS WHO CAN’T SLEEP IN MY BACKYARD?!
Kids are real people and deserve art that honors them for who they are right now and not what they’ll one day become.
Kids are discerning readers that deserve the best of us.
Kids read the pictures first, while most adults read the words first.
Literary fiction is like “dinner with Kevin.”
Overly didactic picture books bore the hell out of most people, but kids especially.
I prefer humor for kids over not offending adult readers sensibilities (yes, I’m talking about poop jokes).
It’s amazingly valuable to think very deeply about the psychology, world building, consistency, and overall take aways inherit in your story.
It’s also ok for things to be silly and not make any sense. That’s a vibe kids get automagically because they are not lame like us.
From my Mom: “If you speak with your heart, people will hear with theirs.”
Be careful.
Take chances.
No one is entitled to anyone’s attention. A successful picture book is earned.
If you write for kids, know that you may one day be reading those words to a full auditorium and that is your real audience.
Relatedly, there are always a few kids that will absolutely tell you everything they like and dislike about your book. This is as honest as a feedback that exists and is a gift.
Pay close attention to kids you know — we forget what it’s like to be them.
When in doubt, opt for trying to see things how kids see rather than how we see things. (Again, we are lame and boring.)
Kids are more open to playful curiosity than efficiency. Our stories can lean into this by engaging their imaginations, rather than limiting them.
Simplicity done well is the sweet spot.
You can say amazingly complex things with simple words juxtaposed next to simple images.
Listen to your publishing team. Books are a team effort.
Fight everyone on the stuff you believe is important to your book idea, but completely open to revising everything else.
Is your story happy? (Not that the story content makes you happy or is even a happy story, it’s more… is it well realized? Does it hit its mark as a story, book, and as art?)
Writing and illustrating your own books is where your passion will most reside.
The absolute magic in a picture book exists in the dynamic between the words and the images and the reader. It’s alchemy.
Kids pay attention to way more than we think they do.
Not every story is yours to tell.
A signed publishing contract can be a tax on our confidence because the audience matters so much and this shit is hard.
A good literary agent is a book making partner.
They help do the stuff that helps us to focus on making a good book.
Books are also a chance to engage and build your creative ethos.
Stretching yourself creatively on a book is terrifying and also really, really valuable. It’s how great art gets made.
If I feel stuck on an illustration or a manuscript, walking away and coming back with fresh eyes is revelatory.
Be open minded. Critiques of works-in-progress can be worth their weight in pop tarts.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Every book has a moment where you’re convinced you’ll fall on your face. You don’t know when it will hit, but it will probably be tied closely with a deadline or publication day or a lack of sleep or all three. It will pass. Probably.
There’s a lesson to learn from making every book.
Story rules all. It’s the King, Queen, and Supreme Leader. (Just about every decision should be based on the question “does this make the story better?)
Marketing a book you loved to make is easy. (The inverse is true as well.)
I’m still a noob.
Thanks for reading. I’m rooting you on in your creative “what’s next?” this week and every week.
Best,
Jacob
Hey! Thought it would be cool to put all of my book recommendations in one handy location over at Bookshop.org.1 I went through just about all 2 years worth of weekly newsletters to collate this list! I think it’s helpful and a good list that I’m still behind 100%:
I’m an affiliate and earn a small commission on every book you buy through the link. This does not mean I’m in a super-secret independent bookshop cabal like I was told. No secret hand-shake or death goons. Bummed.
Thanks for such a generous post! Those recs on Bookshop are fantastic, too. “Mel Fell” is a current fav for my family. I love how the story rotates halfway through!
What a beautiful morning reading! Thanks for this piece.
Greetings from Argentina!