A Day at the Switched Zoo

Make it yours

Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.

1. Let the child solve the problem, not a grown-up.
2. Name the feeling the character has, simply and honestly.
3. Read it out loud as you write. If it doesn't sound good, change it.

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.

More about children's in our book genres guide