Children's (ages 6 to 8) writing prompt

A Day of Animal Conversations

Imagine waking up one morning to discover that you can speak to animals! Your first conversation is with your pet dog, who has a lot to say about breakfast. What does your day look like as you chat with birds, cats, and even a reluctant hedgehog?

Suggested length: An early reader: 1,000 to 2,500 words

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Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.

  1. Use a repeated line young readers can join in on.
  2. Make the ending warm, safe and a little bit funny.
  3. Keep it to one problem and one place.

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

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