The Siblings and the Attic Book
A mysterious, ancient book is found in the attic by three siblings during a rainy summer afternoon. When one of them reads a poem aloud, they are all transported to a fantastical realm. Write about their quest to return home, the strange creatures they meet, and how they solve puzzles that rely on their real-world knowledge and sibling bond.
Suggested length: A picture book: 300 to 800 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Use one silly sound word kids will want to say.
- Use a repeated line young readers can join in on.
- Make the ending warm, safe and a little bit funny.
Writing children's
Ages 0 to 8: books made to be read aloud, again and again.
Children's books run from board books and picture books for the youngest to early readers and chapter books for kids reading on their own. Every word counts, and the adults reading aloud are an audience too.
What readers expect
- Simple, rhythmic language
- A child's point of view
- Room for the illustrations
- A satisfying, often gentle ending
A tip before you start
You don't need an illustrator. Publishers pair picture book writers with artists, so leave room in your text for the pictures to tell part of the story.
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- The Spell No One KnewWrite a story about a school where students are secretly wizards in training. One student, who always thought they were just average, suddenly…
- The Empty TownWrite a story where your character wakes up to find their entire town deserted. With their pet as their only company, they set out on a quest to find…
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