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Writing Children's Books: What makes a good book?

Elements of a good book

  • Developmentally appropriate for the intended age group
  • Illustrations or pictures also tell the story
  • Memorable and believable characters
  • Use of (all) senses to tell the story 
  • A lesson that is told through the story (not didactic)
  • What happens next...?  Surprise and wonder

Class discussion on what makes our good books!

Here are your ideas for your books:

  • use pictures to tell the story
  • scary, but not horror
  • use lots of action
  • describe your hero/characters -- create a whole character -- likes, dislikes, physical attributes, personality -- See "book characters" under find web sites tab in this LibGuide.
  • setting should be appropriate - camp, summer vacation, school, etc.
  • important other characters -- siblings
  • characters like independence (parents are absent or just slightly mentioned in story)
  • fun, humor, cute (like a puppy)
  • a sense of fairness is important
  • What happens next?  Answer this question to make your story interesting!