For children’s authors
Build the right book for the right age.
A children’s book is shaped by far more than the story idea.
Age range affects language, length, illustration, layout, pacing and production.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Written and reviewed by the Quill & Reed editorial team
How do I start writing a children’s book?
Start by deciding who the book is for. A picture book for a three-year-old, an early chapter book and a middle-grade novel require very different word counts, language, structure and illustration. Age range should be one of the first decisions.
Key takeaways
- Age range comes first — it drives length, vocabulary, format and illustration.
- In picture books, pictures carry part of the story, so text and art are planned together.
- Rights to illustrations should be agreed in writing before work begins.
- Full-colour illustrated books cost more to make and print than text-led books.
Age range
Broad categories of children’s books
These are broad groupings. Conventions vary between publishers, markets and individual books, so treat them as orientation rather than rules.
| Category | Typical reader | Usual character |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / toddler | Very young children, read aloud | Very few words, sturdy formats, strong visuals |
| Picture book | Roughly pre-school to early primary, read aloud | Short text, illustration on every spread |
| Early reader | Children beginning to read alone | Controlled vocabulary, short sentences, frequent pictures |
| Chapter book | Newly confident readers | Short chapters, some illustration, simple plots |
| Middle grade | Roughly 8–12 | Novel-length, mostly text, fuller plots |
| Young adult | Teenage readers | Adult-length novels with teenage perspectives |
Length
There is no single children’s word count
A picture book may have a few hundred words; a middle-grade novel can run to tens of thousands. Asking “how long should a children’s book be?” only makes sense once you know which kind you are writing.
Picture books are also constrained by page count, because they are printed in multiples of pages and planned as spreads.
Illustration
In many children’s books, the pictures tell part of the story
In a picture book, the text often leaves things unsaid so the illustration can show them. This means the words and pictures need to be planned together, and illustration is not decoration added at the end.
- Character consistency
- The same character must be recognisable on every page.
- Page turns
- Where a turn reveals something — a surprise, a joke, a change.
- Spread composition
- How the two facing pages work as one image.
- Visual pacing
- Busy pages and quiet pages, in rhythm with the story.
- Text placement
- Space for words that does not fight the artwork.
- Colour
- Tone, mood and print considerations.
- Age group
- Different styles suit different readers.
- Trim size
- The physical page shape affects every composition.
Collaboration
Author and illustrator
The author writes; the illustrator interprets visually. The best results tend to come when the author gives a clear brief — age, tone, key moments, anything essential — and then leaves creative space rather than prescribing every detail.
- A clear brief
- Creative space for the illustrator
- An agreed revision process
- Rights agreed in writing
- Awareness of print requirements from the start
Editing
Editing for younger readers
Children’s editing looks at the text through the reader’s age. Some subjects — fear, loss, illness, conflict — may need specialist judgement about suitability and handling.
- Age-appropriate language
- Reading level
- Sentence length
- Story clarity
- Purposeful repetition versus accidental repetition
- Pacing
- Tone
- Emotional suitability
Production
Production decisions that matter early
Several decisions affect the illustration brief, so they are better made before artwork begins.
- Trim size
- Page count
- Bleed (artwork running to the page edge)
- Colour printing
- Illustration resolution
- Cover
- Print cost per copy
Honest costs
Illustrated books cost more to produce.
A text-led novel and a fully illustrated picture book require very different production effort. Illustration is quoted separately, because it depends on the number of images, style and complexity.
Full-colour printing also affects the cost of each printed copy, which in turn affects retail price and royalties. We will show you these trade-offs before you commit, rather than after.
Worth avoiding
Common mistakes
- Writing before deciding the age range.
- Describing every picture in the text.
- Commissioning illustration without a written rights agreement.
- Choosing a trim size after the artwork is finished.
- Assuming picture books are cheap to produce because they are short.
Packages
Which Quill & Reed support may fit
Most children’s books need specialist illustration alongside a publishing package. Publish is often an appropriate starting point; the illustration quote is the larger variable.
We will talk through format and illustration scope before recommending anything.
Featured guides
- Choosing an age range
- Children’s book word counts
- Working with an illustrator
- Picture book page counts
- Illustration rights explained
Individual guides are being written; links open the relevant resource section for now.
Popular questions
Next useful step
Tell us about the age group, format and idea and we’ll help define the right next step.
Questions authors ask
How long should a children’s book be?
It depends entirely on the category. Picture books are usually short; chapter books and middle-grade novels are much longer. Decide the age range first.
How many pages should a picture book have?
Picture books are commonly planned around 32 pages, but other lengths exist. Page count is tied to printing, so it should be decided with production in mind.
Do I need an illustrator?
For picture books and most books for younger children, yes. Older formats may need only a cover or occasional illustrations.
Should I find an illustrator before publishing?
Illustration is normally planned once the text is settled and the format is chosen. We can help define the brief and coordinate the work.
Who owns the illustrations?
That depends on the agreement with the illustrator. Rights should be agreed in writing before work starts, so you know exactly how the artwork can be used.
How much does illustration cost?
It varies with the number of illustrations, style and complexity. We quote illustration separately once the scope is clear.
Can I use AI illustrations?
Some authors consider it. There are open questions about rights, consistency and reader reception. Quill & Reed works with human illustrators for commissioned artwork.
Do children’s books need an editor?
Yes — short texts are unforgiving, and age-appropriateness benefits from experienced judgement.
Can I self-publish a children’s book?
Yes, though colour printing and illustration make the economics different from a novel. Plan them early.