The Attic Game Portal
Your main character finds an old, dusty board game in their attic that isn't just a game but a portal to another dimension. When they decide to play, they must complete challenges with their sibling to find their way back home. Describe their fantastical journey and the creatures they meet.
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.
- Name the feeling the character has, simply and honestly.
- Read it out loud as you write. If it doesn't sound good, change it.
- Give every page or scene one picture worth drawing.
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 Kids prompts
- The Midnight ForestA mysterious, enchanted forest is only visible at midnight and your main character and their best friend decide to explore it. What whimsical…
- The Day of Small ThingsThink of a story where a child invents a new holiday that celebrates something no one has ever thought to celebrate before. What is the holiday, and…
- Jamie’s Borrowed HatImagine a world where every child is born with a unique hat that grants them a special ability. Tell the tale of Jamie, who swaps hats with a friend…
- The Backyard Animal FriendCreate a tale about a young girl who befriends a magical talking animal in her backyard. What adventures do they embark on together?
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.