Children need a protagonist who they can identify with. Whether in a television series, a film or a good book, children have to identify with their favorite characters. If the protagonist is a character who children love to read about, their imaginations will run wild, and the book will scarcely be left on the shelf. Children will love to dive into the book and devour its content. Good children's literature allow children to see themselves reflected, at the same time as giving them a portal into another world in which they can learn more and explore.
In children's literature, a good story emerges when there is an obstacle, discovery or problem that captures a child's attention, something that makes the heart race. Take Goscinny's "Nicholas," for example. The protagonist, a young and mischievous boy, constantly faces bullying in school, but he overcomes this problem in his own interesting and unusual ways.
The quality of a children's book is highly dependent on its use of language. The words need to stand out and the language to be original. The text should be easy for children to follow. Dr. Seuss is an excellent example of this. His unique use of word combinations create catchy and intelligent rhymes that children love to read.
Often in children's literature, an important lesson will be presented that challenges the young readers to think about something or look at something in a different way. Reading is a quick way to help a child build on language skills and use the imagination, but it also serves as a great way to teach values and morals that might be relevant throughout a child's life. The story might reveal an important lesson on accepting the differences of other people, or a lesson concerning the power of love.