Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Choose the Right Book Type for Your Story
How to Choose the Right Book Type for Your Story
Overview: Choosing the right book type is an important step in planning your story, as it helps define the format, length, and style of your manuscript. Book type often relates to the age or developmental level of your target audience, but it can also reflect the content and complexity of your story. Common illustrated children's book types include board books, picture books, early readers, graphic novels, and comic books. In this article, we’ll explore how to choose the best book type for your story and what each type entails.
Understanding Different Book Types
1. Board Books
Board books are designed for the youngest readers, typically ages 0–3. They are printed on thick, durable cardboard and have rounded corners to make them safe for little hands. The content is usually simple, with a focus on basic concepts like numbers, colors, or animals.
- Age Group: 0–3 years
- Content: Basic concepts, simple text, bright illustrations
Characteristics:
Board books are short, sturdy, and often feature repetitive language, simple text, and bright illustrations to engage young readers. They are ideal for stories that introduce basic concepts or sensory experiences.
2. Picture Books
Picture books are one of the most popular types of children’s books, aimed at children ages 3–7. They often feature a combination of text and illustrations, with the illustrations playing an important role in telling the story. Picture books can range from 24 to 40 pages and are ideal for telling short, engaging stories.
- Age Group: 3–7 years
- Content: Short stories, character-driven narratives, strong visual storytelling
Characteristics:
Picture books focus on storytelling through both text and illustrations. The text is usually simple and concise, with illustrations that enhance and complement the narrative.
3. Early Readers
Early readers are for children who are starting to read on their own, typically ages 5–8. These books use simple sentences and vocabulary, along with illustrations that support the text. Early readers are designed to build reading confidence and comprehension skills.
- Age Group: 5–8 years
- Content: Simple stories, larger text size, basic vocabulary
Characteristics:
Early readers are longer than picture books and have more text, but still include illustrations to support comprehension. The content is easy to read, with a focus on building literacy skills.
4. Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are illustrated stories that are longer and more complex than picture books, suitable for a wide range of ages. They use sequential art to tell a story, often with a mix of text and dialogue. Graphic novels can cover various genres, from adventure and fantasy to educational content.
- Age Group: Varies (typically 7+ years)
- Content: Complex stories, dialogue, visual storytelling
Characteristics:
Graphic novels use illustrations in a comic-style format to convey a more detailed story. They are ideal for older children and preteens who enjoy visual storytelling with more complex plots and characters.
5. Comic Books
Comic books are similar to graphic novels but are usually shorter and serialized. They use panels and dialogue bubbles to tell a story through visual and textual elements. Comic books are popular with children of various ages, depending on the content and style.
- Age Group: Varies (typically 7+ years)
- Content: Serialized stories, visual storytelling, dialogue
Characteristics:
Comic books often feature a series of adventures or episodes with recurring characters. They use a blend of text and illustrations to create an engaging visual narrative.
How to Choose the Right Book Type for Your Story
Step 1: Consider the Age and Developmental Level of Your Audience
Think about the age group and developmental stage of your target audience. Younger readers benefit from simpler book types like board books or picture books, while older children may be drawn to early readers, graphic novels, or comic books.
Step 2: Match the Book Type to Your Story’s Content
Consider how your story’s content aligns with different book types. For example, a story with strong visual elements and minimal text might work best as a picture book, while a story with complex dialogue and action scenes might be better suited as a graphic novel.
Step 3: Explore the Options in Made Live
In Made Live, you can choose from common book types or add your own custom type. Use this feature to define your story’s format and ensure that it aligns with your audience’s needs and your storytelling style.
Step 4: Experiment and Refine
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different book types. If you’re unsure, try drafting your story in a few different formats to see which one works best. You can always refine and adjust as you go.
Final Notes:
Choosing the right book type is an important part of planning your story. By considering the age and developmental level of your audience and matching the book type to your content, you’ll create a format that enhances your storytelling and engages readers. Use Made Live to explore and select the book type that best suits your story’s needs.