Three Playground Wishes
You find a magical, colorful rock in the playground that grants you three wishes. What wishes will you make? Write about each wish and what happens when they come true.
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.
More Picture Book prompts
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- A Letter for TeddyYou receive a mysterious letter in the mail, but it's not addressed to you—it's addressed to your favorite stuffed animal! Write about your journey to…
- The Duck Afraid to SwimWrite a story about a little duck who is afraid of water. Describe how the duck's friends help overcome this fear and enjoy their first swim together…
- The Backyard Spaceship RepairA little robot lands in a backyard and needs help to fix its spaceship. The children in the house team up with the robot, using household items for…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
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