How to Write a Children’s Book: Tips from Author Mark Morgan

Mark Morgan
Sep 24, 2025
3 min read

Discover how to write a children’s book step by step with author Mark Morgan. Learn how to start, keep it short, add a lesson, and bring your story to life.

How to Write a Children’s Book: Tips from Author Mark Morgan

Have you ever said to yourself, “One day I’m going to write a children’s book”? You’re not alone. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and even kids themselves dream of turning an idea into a story that lives forever.

I know the feeling, because that’s how my own journey began. Today, I’ve written and illustrated books like Rusty the Can, Petal the Seed Who Feared to Sprout, The Web We Weave, and Grandpa’s Guitar. Each one started with a simple spark. If you’ve been carrying a story inside, here’s how to bring it to life.

1. Start with a Big Idea

The best children’s books often begin with a “what if” question.

What if a soda can got a second chance through recycling?
What if a little seed was afraid to sprout?
What if a dragon hated his own fire?

Don’t overthink it. Write down your “what if” and let it grow into a playful story.

2. Keep It Short (and Rhyming, If You Like)

Most picture books are 500–700 words long. That’s less than this blog post! Kids have short attention spans, so keep it tight and engaging.

Rhyming is optional but powerful. Children love rhythm and rhyme — it helps them remember the story. Read your draft out loud. If it flows like music, you’re on the right track.

3. Add a Lesson (But Don’t Preach)

The best stories teach without being obvious. Rusty teaches about recycling, Petal about courage, and The Web We Weave about honesty.

But here’s the trick: let the adventure shine first. If kids are laughing, leaning in, and asking questions, they’ll naturally take the lesson with them.

4. Think in Pictures

Children’s books are as much about what kids see as what they hear. When you write, leave room for the illustrations to carry the story.

Ask yourself: What would this page look like as a picture? Your words and images should work hand in hand, not compete.

5. Share, Listen, Revise

The secret to writing a great children’s book is real kid feedback. Once you’ve got a draft, read it out loud to kids — your own, your grandkids, or even a classroom if you can.

Notice where they laugh, where they lose interest, and where they ask questions. That feedback is pure gold. Every one of my books changed for the better because of it.