They may look easy to write but many editors recognize the challenges of writing a children’s book that children can relate to. If you are an aspiring children’s writer, here are common mistakes to watch out for:

Writing as an adult

When writing a children’s book, you have to draw from the inner child within you. As you write, you should not write as an adult writing a children's story but a child sharing their experiences and writing for other children. One way to achieve this is by recalling children’s books you loved when growing up. Recall what was special about them and what made the stories so memorable. Then, incorporate these into your work.

Being too formal

A children’s book should not read and feel like a business book. When writing, incorporate characters that elicit interest. Allow them to be funny and unusual. Make them stand out by giving them unique characteristics or use a funny uncommon animal as your main character. Children want to be surprised and amused.

For instance, in The Absurd Adventures of Monkey, Puppy, and Lion by Nick Stockton, Pete’s dad, one of the characters in the story, notices a weird scene over at his neighbor’s house. A lion is swimming in their pool. Funny and baffling things keep happening and Pete’s dad can only wonder whether he is imagining everything. Other animals join the scene and things become even more awkward as Pete’s dad struggles to explain himself to others in the story.

Not creating interest

So you have funny characters, but what will make the reader keep reading? What will they be dying to find out? Creating interest will grab the attention of the reader from the beginning to the end. Children have less patience and an even shorter concentration span so you need to grab their attention quickly and give them a reason to continue reading to the last page.

In J. R. Poulter’s Twice as Worsa! Albert is dreading his cousin’s upcoming visit. Initially, it is not clear why. Before his arrival, Albert tries his best to avoid meeting him. When Lionel and his mother arrive, the reason for Albert’s dread becomes clear. Lionel keeps biting everything in his path and Albert has to keep his teeth continuously engaged not to be a victim of Lionel’s vicious fangs! The story continues to highlight Albert’s predicament who has to keep Lionel engaged.

In another of J. R. Poulter’s amazing books, The Saga of Haggle Lee Ho, Haggle is undermined by his rich neighbors who only pretend to care for each other but, in reality, do not care at all. A vase is gifted to one by another and the original owner only wants to get rid of the item. As the vase moves from one house to another, each neighbor gifting it to another but in reality only wanting to dispose of it, the reader cannot help but wonder what will be the ultimate fate of the vase. The fate of the proud neighbors is another suspenseful part of the plot as the reader anticipates the realization of their mistake in undermining the poor hardworking farmer, Haggle Lee Ho.