Kate Jerome is an award-winning children’s book author, veteran publishing executive, and a lifelong product innovator who is passionate about helping others craft stories that inspire and connect. Her latest offering, How to Write a Children’s Picture Book, is part of Levenger’s MasterClass Workbook series and distills her expertise into a practical guide for aspiring authors. Learn more at katejerome.com

If you’ve ever thought, “I could write a children’s book,” you already have the spark. The real challenge comes in turning that idea into an unforgettable story.

On the surface, picture books seem simple: short sentences, cute characters, colorful illustrations. But writing a good picture book is not just about telling a story. It’s about telling the right story, in just enough words, with exactly the right rhythm, while leaving room for an illustrator (who may or may not be you!) to visually interpret the emotional arc. In other words, picture books are tiny masterpieces that must do a great deal with very little.

Here are five tips to help you better understand the task at hand.

1. Appreciate the Power of Fewer Words

Most picture books range from 250 to 800 carefully chosen words. Within that constraint, you’re expected to establish a compelling character, introduce a conflict, build rising action, resolve it meaningfully, and leave your reader smiling—or even thinking—at the end.

Every word must earn its place. There’s no space for filler. Dialogue needs to reveal character. Description must be vivid and efficient. Writing a picture book is not about dumbing things down—it’s about raising your game. It’s about honoring young readers by meeting them where they are…and giving them something joyful and real.

2. You’re Writing for Two Audiences—at the Same Time

Here’s the twist: you’re not just writing for a child. You’re writing for the adult reading to the child. That means your story needs to delight and engage both.

A great picture book honors the intelligence of children while giving adults something to smile at (or cry about). It’s why stories like The Gruffalo or The Day the Crayons Quit work on multiple levels. They’re emotionally rich, layered with meaning, and sometimes unexpectedly profound.

3. Illustrations Aren’t Extras—They’re Half the Story

Writers new to the genre often overwrite. But in picture books, what you don’t say is just as important as what you do.

That’s because picture books are a collaboration between writer and illustrator. The text hints… the pictures reveal. A child doesn’t need to be told that the character is scared—the image of wide eyes and a quivering lip does the heavy lifting. The goal is not to describe every scene, but to trust your artistic partner to bring life, color, and subtlety to your words.

4. Understand the Performance Aspect

Picture books aren’t just read—they’re read aloud. That means your words must sound good when spoken. Think rhythm. Think pacing. Think dramatic pauses.

A well-structured picture book becomes a mini performance. It invites expression, repetition, and delight. And since many books will be read again and again, the best ones have language that’s musical, playful, and fun for grownups, too.

5. Respect the Big Emotions

Children’s books tackle big subjects—fear, loss, bravery, belonging, love. But they do so in ways that are accessible and reassuring.

The magic of the picture book is that it distills complexity into clarity. A caterpillar’s journey becomes a tale of transformation. A grumpy pigeon teaches a lesson in boundaries. A quiet bedtime ritual becomes a child’s safe harbor.

The best children’s picture books don’t preach—they reveal. They help children understand their world and their feelings, one story at a time. Done well, a picture book becomes a child’s first emotional roadmap. That’s no small thing.

How to Write a Children’s Picture Book by Kate Jerome

Follow Kate Jerome through the process of building an entire children’s book from scratch in her newest workbook. With vivid prompts and exercises, anyone with the spark it takes to want to write a book can now build the proverbial muscles it takes to fan that spark into a flame. This workbook covers each step of the process, including an expandable storyboard section where you can plan the entire plot, and seventeen different sections to ensure no stone in the development process is left unturned, Kate Jerome’s expertise as well as her passion for the craft are on full display.

Buy the book now: Amazon