I want to write a children's book and I want to write it from the perspective of a child?

Question

What would capture the mind and imagination of a child? Under the age of 7.

Answer 1

You have chosen the most difficult thing in the publishing business - getting a children's book published.

Let me describe for you the current nature of the children's book market. I just finished ghostwriting two children's books for a very major sports figure - already sold to a very major NY publisher. The first is with artist now and due out in Spring. I am currently working on another one with others to follow. This information was given to me by a Senior Editor at the publisher I write for ...

40% of children's books published today are by celebs like Madonna, Jamie Lee Curtis etc.

40% are written by existing, established children's authors like Eric Carle.

15-20% are reprints of children's classics like Curious George.

That leaves at best 5% for new authors.

And that percentage is being cut into by adult authors like Carl Hiaasen and Mary Higgins Clark entering the childrens' market recently.

To that, add the fact that most of the large publishing companies are backlogged with children's books they have under contract but havent gotten out yet.

As a result, most A list publishers aren't even reading childrens' books right now, which means agents arent either. Agents only read what they can sell.

There is very little room to break into the children's market. Only books that are extremely exceptional and have huge appeal stand a chance. Forget any holiday related books - the selling season is too short to make money.

Take a walk through any major childrens' book department and you will confirm what I am telling you. Getting a childrens' book done is almost impossible - and getting an advance for it is virtually out of the question anymore. Unless you fall into one of those categories above. I am fortunate to have the backing of a very major sports star to get me in the door with kids books. I write adult novels, but believe me I have tried with kids books before and failed for exactly the reasons I list here. Ghostwriting has gotten me in through the back door, and now I will be able to sell some of the children's books that have my name on them. For now, someone else's name is on the cover. Someone whose name sells books - big time. Don't ask me how you can get a ghostwriting deal for a major sports star ... I really backed into this. It was a gift from Heaven really and it is a blast working with this person too!!! My mantle is now covered with sports memorabilia worth a fortune!! Presents.

That is the nature of the beast. You might get a copy of Writers Market and search for some small publishers who are reading childrens' books, but searching through the agents section, you will see that almost NO agents are reading childrens' books. Try for some small publishers that read without going through an agent. Expect a lot of rejection. Develop a really thick skin and learn to advocate for yourself.

Always remember that before you send anything to anyone, check them out. Preditors and Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks, Writers Weekly.com and Writers Wall are all great sources and totally free - although if they help you, it is nice to contribute a donation. Someone has to pay for running the sites. If you do not see information on the publisher or agent in question, write to Dave K at Preditors and Editors, Victoria Strauss or James Macdonald at Absolute Write or Angela Hoy at Writers Weekly. They are happy to pass along any info they have to help you.

As for self publishing it - it will get you nowhere. Self published books dont make it to bookstores. Childrens' books are impulse buys. What is out on the tables for kids to see is what sells. Kids don't shop at websites for things like books. They have to hold them in their hand and nag Mom to buy it. The only way to achieve that is through a good traditional publisher. Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 2

I would suggest To Kill a Mockingbird. It isn't from a five-year old, yet it is from a younger character. Basically what you want to do is make your character naive and very innocent. They should have a naturally good heart, and want to help others. They won't understand a great deal of words, and their sense of wonder will be heightened as well--for example, they might be awed simply by how blue the sky is... Just think of an experience that was totally new to you, remember how you felt, then make the experience something way simpler, one that you would take for granted now, at an older age. Oh, and just thought of one more thing. Just because they are "innocent," doesn't mean they don't lie or cheat or anything bad. The only difference between them and us is they have to have a selfless emotion for lying (in pieces of writing anyway), whereas older characters who lie usually do it out of selfishness. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of this pretty fast. P. S. I wrote something from an eight-year-old's perspective once. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done, and I hope you feel the same when you write yours. ^^ It's so nice to have a character so innocent... -sighs- Hard to explain why though.... Sometimes I wish I had an idea for another one like that.

Answer 3

By that age, their teeth are falling oy and new ones are coming in. I think that there should be a book where the kid wonders what else is going to fall off and what will be there the next day.

Answer 4

Use smaller words. Putting in childrens' innocent observations would help a lot. Pictures should be in good balance.

Answer 5

The drawing that children make are in effect a picture of their development. Consider this in you work.

Answer 6

the first page shold include a NOUN a VERB and an ADJECTIVE at least. that should help you and not too many words on one page...
200 - 300 at the most all together...
at least that's what i was told at school.

Answer 7

Talk to kids this age or go to a park, school, etc. and listen to them talk.