Write in a specific genre. There are several subgenres in the children's book market. The genres are age-specific, and your selection of a genre plays a big role in the way you tell your story. Some of the genres include baby books, early picture books, picture books, easy readers and transition books. The young-adult market comes after these genres. Visit the library or purchase children's books to help get an idea where your story fits. This is the best way to get familiar with these genres. You can also find genre guidelines online.
Outline your story by writing down a point-by-point set of events you will cover. If you are writing a picture book, give a brief description of the type of illustration that will appear with each plot point in your book. The outline for a children's book will be simple. Its purpose is to help you ensure you keep your story in line with your target audience. Aim for a story appropriate to the age level you are writing for. Baby books are typically based on nursery rhymes that sound pleasing when read. Stories that teach about nature, household objects and the world around us work best for early picture books. If you are writing a story for early readers, introduce concepts such as avoiding things that can hurt you, sharing and accepting people who are different.
Write your story using language appropriate for the target age of the genre you are writing in. Use humor to make your story more entertaining. This could include using animals that talk or setting your story in environments that children associate with having a good time, such as the circus. If you are writing a picture book, think about the illustrations you will be using and how you can center your words around them. Picture books rely on the illustrations as much as the text. The illustrations should reinforce what you have written.
Tell your story to engage your young audience and let them naturally take in any message your story may include. If you have written age-appropriate language and you tell your story in a setting children can understand, you will have accomplished this goal. A good book for kids should always aim to have a balance of education and entertainment. Finding the balance between the two is the way to write a successful book for kids.