When you’ve spent your entire career writing adult thrillers and true crime, switching to a children’s chapter book takes some getting used to. Jumping back and forth between the two is even more difficult. After struggling with both projects, I decided to stick with one till completion, then finish the other.
Because my chapter book is meticulously outlined and half-written, I chose to concentrate on that project first. Plus, a chapter book’s optimal range is 10,000 words — a fraction of the word-count of an environmental thriller.
When I read the opening sequence of my chapter book, it seemed too advanced for young readers. I needed to stop, home in on my target age group, and relax the language and pacing. After all, early readers don’t have the same mental acuity as adults. They need easier wins.
Children’s books are separated into three categories, all with different guidelines for word choices, pacing, viewpoints, and the amount and style of illustrations.
- Picture books
- Chapter books
- Middle Grade
Picture Books
A standard picture book is 32 pages long.
Picture books follow a compact story arc with a beginning, middle, and end. Jump into the action quickly, introduce a problem, and have the main character solve it by the end. The “rule of three,” where a problem recurs three times before a solution is found, is a common and effective technique. Illustrations will convey much of the emotion and setting, so your text should focus on the action and dialogue. Avoid using words to describe what the illustrations show. A picture book is meant to be read aloud, so the language needs to have a natural rhythm and flow.
Ages 3-5: Around 500 words, these stories have simple language and relatable topics like starting school, picky eaters, or a nighttime routine. Illustrations consume the pages—big, bright, and fun.
Ages 4-8: These picture books can be slightly longer, up to 800 words, with a slightly more complex plot. Still, you’re limited, because the illustrations take center stage.
As a visual medium, the writer must consider how the story will unfold across two-page spreads.
Chapter Books
To write a chapter book, you need to develop relatable characters, create a simple yet engaging plot, and break the story into short, purposeful chapters that build a new reader’s confidence. A typical chapter book is aimed at the 7-10 year age group and has a word count between 5,000 and 15,000 words. The sweet spot is 10,000. This allows the writer more freedom than a picture book.
Chapter books fall between early readers and middle-grade novels. The target audience is a new independent reader who’s often supervised by an adult. A solid, unique story idea is the foundation of a successful chapter book—especially since many are written as a series—that includes the main plot and core theme(s).
If you include an ill-advised subplot, be careful not to divert focus from the main plot. The young reader is just beginning to get comfortable reading on their own. Making the story easy to understand and follow is essential. Sure, many chapter books are read aloud to an adult, but don’t rely on that. What if the child is reading alone?
A chapter book must have a full narrative arc. If you watch a plethora of animated films, you’ll see they’re all structured like an adult novel or movie. And so, that’s exactly what I did. The story should be action-packed with lots of dialogue to hold a new independent reader’s attention, but never leave the main character and sidekick in trouble for long. A flip of the page is more than enough suspense.
Around 48-80 pages, chapter books often include black-and-white illustrations at the beginning of each chapter or where you want to show the new reader what’s going on. For example, when I introduce a new animal character, I’ll include an illustration to cement that picture in the reader’s mind. Because the illustration is in black-and-white, I need only mention color rather than a detailed description.
Middle Grade Novel
Most middle grade novels are geared toward ages 8-12. They are the in-between books for readers who have outgrown chapter books and are too young to emotionally handle or enjoy themes and ideas found in young adult novels. Middle grade novels run about 30,000-55,000 words.
Young readers need to relate to the characters, but they don’t mind “reading up.” Meaning, the main cast should be in the upper range of the target age group. For some reason, 13 and 14 year-old characters are considered a no-no. They’re too old for middle grade novels (perhaps due to puberty?) and too young to star in YA.
If you choose to write in this genre, you may want to read this article about middle grade novels. In it, the author includes an important distinction:
“What may work for an 8-year-old likely won’t work for a 12-year-old. So although we bundle it all into middle grade, the genre actually has two sub groups. This is important to understand in order to know your audience when writing, and thus appropriately adjust your themes and word count.
Two Sub-Categories
- Lower Middle Grade
Lower middle grade novels tend to be read by kids aged 8 to 10 years old. There may be a sub plot or two, but the main plot will dominate the focus, and all themes will certainly be G or PG rated.
- Upper Middle Grade
Upper middle grade novels can have a higher word count, and will be read by children aged 10 to 13 years old. There will likely be a subplot or two that help to carry the story in a substantial way. Themes may be a bit more complex, or PG or PG-13 rated.”
Even though I spent quite a bit of time researching techniques for my new target audience, I enjoy the challenge of writing a children’s chapter book. It’s rewarding, fun, and exciting.
Have you ever considered writing for children? Do you write children’s books now? If so, for what age group? Any tips to share? Categorize your favorite children’s book and tell us why you loved it as a child.
Thanks for this succinct breakdown of picture, chapter and middle grade books. While overall I have no desire to spend much time in this market, I do have 1 or 2 ideas that I had considered for children but just have never got around to looking for info on writing for children. Yours is the most succinct summary I’ve seen. I’ll be sure to refer back to it for reference. Thanks.
Aww, thanks, Brenda. You made my morning. So glad you found it useful. I was surprised by the vast differences in children’s books.
Sue, I echo Brenda’s comment. What a well-defined, clear, explanatory overview.
I’ve never written for children. However, I’ve mentored kids age 10 and up who were interested in writing. Wish I’d had this info back then! The kids really kept me scrambling to explain vague concepts like POV, pacing, and characterization in terms a fifth grader could grasp. Exhausting but also rewarding when a lightbulb would go on in their eyes.
Oh, I’m sure they kept you scrambling, Debbie. 😂 What an amazing thing to do. I bet you made the perfect mentor.
Sue,
Interesting article about writing for children. My first published book was a children’s book in 1992. I’ve published more than a dozen children’s books with traditional publishers. I’m also a former insructor at the Institute of Children’s Literature (the oldest home correspondence course for children’s writers (and excellent). When I stopped teaching I had over 600 students. These books are not easy to write successfully. They look simple but each one has it’s own complexity and learning curves.
Terry author of Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success (Revised Edition) [Follow the Link for a FREE copy]
Wow, Terry. That’s amazing! Yes, I agree. They aren’t easy to write, especially if you hope to help shape a young child’s mind like I do. The message, if you will, must be concealed enough in an adventurous plot, yet visible enough to penetrate the child’s mind. Not at all easy, but I’m up for the challenge.
Thirty-plus years ago, I wrote a dozen picture books for kids about 3-5 years old. Never tried to publish them, thank goodness. The writing makes me cringe now, but I still love the stories. Maybe I’ll re-write them one day.
That breakdown is excellent. Considering I spent more than 10 years in K-12 schools and never knew any of that, I learned something.
My children and I are moving. Some chapter books are in their boxes to make the move. Some Dr. Suess as well.
I’m so glad, Alan. Love Dr. Suess! Best of luck with your move. It’s a chore unlike any other… what to pack, what to trash, what to give away. Not at all easy, with decades of memories to sort through.
About 3,000 books, 200 LPs, 300 DVDs. Most of the VHS is going to a collector.
Wow! I can’t even fathom trying to sort through 3,000 books.
Great breakdown, Sue! Some years ago I decided to write a Middle Grade. And I thought the best beta reader would be my intended audience. I had a friend who taught middle grade and she gave it to a couple of her best students. The responses I got were so cute and HONEST. I cherish a handwritten note from a boy named Forest. His opening line: “Dear Mr. Bell, thank you for choosing me to be one of your beta readers!” The next line: “The book title is not very interesting. It needs to be eye-catching.” Boom! He gave me two pages of notes, ending with, “There were two unfinished matters in the story.” Boom! He ends with, “I circled or crossed out the typos/incorrect phrases. Overall, great story! Sincerely, Forest.”
Priceless! I recently returned to the book after attending a workshop earlier this year at Mount Hermon. The instructor said that the kids love to read about a hero who:
Gets to do something the reader may never get to do.
Victorious–but not right away.
Admirable character traits.
Would make a good best friend.
And a villain who is REALLY bad, but also redeemable.
How I admire great middle grade authors!
What fantastic feedback, Jim! Middle Grade is tough. Chapter books aren’t much easier but I love the story—an underwater adventure filled with marine animal characters. Everyone I’ve tested the title on immediately gets interested. That’s a big win! It also keeps me motivated and excited.
My main character and sidekick check all the boxes on your list. Yay!!!
I’ll add my kudos as a retired librarian, Sue. Your breakdown is spot-on, and spells out the differences succinctly and well.
My library system also had what we called “beginning” and “easy” readers, which were books like the Bob Builder and Berenstain Bears which were intended for children as they learned how to read themselves.
In my toddlers story times I used picture books and their simpler “board book” (hard card stock books intended to be handled by very young children) brethren to read stories. I was reading to ages 2 through 3, but would have younger and slightly older kids as well.
Chapter books seem a real challenge to me to write–I’ve never considered doing so. But the end result is a book that can truly engage a young reader.
Aside: We purchased a number chapter and middle-grade books in ebook format, but kids tended to prefer physical books. Perhaps that’s changed in the five years since I worked as a librarian, but I’m guessing not.
Reading time at the library is so special, Dale. Can’t imagine anyone better suited for it than you, my friend.
Chapter books are a challenge, but that’s also what intrigues me. Plus, the story that came to us (my illustrator and I outlined the story together) fit the age group for chapter books. Turned out to be a blessing, as the theme is too advanced for picture book aged kids.
Your assessment seems spot on. Paperback and hardcover outsell ebooks for children’s books, at least for my target audience. Middle Grade might read ebooks. Haven’t dug into research for that audience much.
Great overview, Sue. I had never considered writing for children until my novel Time After Tyme was released. That book had two secondary characters, 10-year-old Reen and 9-year-old Joanie, who were so popular that readers encouraged me to give them their own series.
I read several middle grade books (including those from our own Steve Hooley’s Mad River Magic series) to get comfortable with the genre. I already had my two main characters, and I decided on making the Reen & Joanie Detective Agency a mystery series with an emphasis on problem-solving, persistence, and teamwork.
I found writing the shorter novels (~30K words each) to be straightforward and enjoyable. The first two books in the series have been released, so now the issue is how to market them! I’ll be doing some research over the next few months to try to get the books into young hands. (If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.)
Btw, thanks for pointing out the age groups for the various children’s books. Knowing your audience is especially important in children’s books, and some people mistakenly think middle grade means middle school.
Congratulations on your spin-off series, Kay! Sounds like a lot of fun. I wish I could help with marketing ideas, but I haven’t gotten that far yet. Perhaps Jim learned something new in the workshop he took earlier this year. His WIP is Middle Grade, as well. You might try contacting the author of the article I linked. She writes Middle Grade and seems quite knowledgeable on the subject. Good luck!
Good luck to you as well with your upcoming book! I look forward to reading it.
Thanks, Kay! 🥰
My kids devoured books from a very early age. Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever was one of my son’s favorites. And of course, there was Good Night Moon.
They’d finish half their checked out books on the drive home from the library (which was short). But I never thought about writing one for them. Usually, they were the ones telling the stories which I’d transcribe. Like the day they went with their dad to pick up a dead manatee.
Love that you transcribed their stories, Terry!
Excellent primer for anyone considering kid lit. I had an idea for a story once, but I found I just couldn’t seem to find the right…I dunno…tone or mood. Might be cuz I don’t have kids and haven’t read a kid book since Charlotte’s Web. Know your limits, as they say. And, as you suggest, don’t be afraid to go beyond them if you have the courage.
Oh…forgot. Read the first Harry Potter when I was stranded in a rental house and that was the only book they had. Loved it.
Finding the right tone or mood was a challenge for me as well, but I think I’ve finally nailed it. It took rewriting the opening several times. Once that fell into place, the writing came easier.
I’m one of the few who’s never read any Harry Potter books, nor watched the movies. The premise doesn’t appeal to me. 🤷🏻♀️