How to Write and Publish a Children’s Book

Writing a children’s book might feel like a dream until you sit down and try to do it.

Between figuring out what kinds of stories kids actually love, navigating illustrations, and learning how to publish a children’s book in today’s crowded market, the process can quickly go from exciting to intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve got a magical bedtime story in your head or just a strong desire to inspire young readers, this guide will walk you through exactly how to write and publish a children’s book, with help from Estorytellers, your go-to ghostwriting and publishing partner.

In this article, you will learn how to write a children’s book and publish it. Also, you’ll get to know how Estorytellers can bring your book to life with ease.

Let’s get into the magical world of children’s publishing and turn your idea into a book that kids (and parents) will love.

Why Writing Children’s Books Is More Powerful Than Ever

There’s never been a better time to step into the world of children’s literature.

Children’s books aren’t just fun — they’re formative. They help shape values, spark imagination, and build the emotional vocabulary of young readers. In today’s world, more parents are seeking books that reflect diversity, kindness, and creativity, and more educators are turning to self-published authors for fresh voices in the classroom.

At the same time, traditional publishing has become harder to break into, especially for new authors. That’s why so many first-time writers are choosing to self-publish or hire a professional ghostwriter to help bring their stories to life.

With services like Estorytellers, you don’t have to navigate the publishing world alone — you can create a high-quality, professionally written, beautifully illustrated book that holds its own on any shelf.

Finding the Heart of Your Story

Before you even write a single word, you need to know who you’re writing for — and what message you want to leave behind.

Know Your Audience by Age

Different age groups call for very different writing styles:

• Board Books (0–3 years): Simple visuals and sensory words. Often under 300 words.
• Picture Books (3–7 years): Strong emotional arcs, repetitive phrasing, and 500–1,000 words.
• Early Readers (6–9 years): Short chapters, bigger vocabulary, and basic plot twists (1,000–3,000 words).

Focus on Feelings and Big Themes

Bestselling children’s books tend to explore:

• Friendship
• Curiosity
• Imagination
• Courage
• Inclusion

You don’t need a complex plot. You need a clear takeaway and characters that feel relatable. If you’re unsure how to translate your ideas into something kid-friendly, Estorytellers’ ghostwriters specialize in crafting original, age-appropriate stories from scratch, based on your idea, outline, or even just a voice note.

Writing Children’s Book Without Getting Stuck

Many new authors start writing a children’s book… and get stuck halfway.

That’s because writing children’s books is deceptively hard. It takes skill to write simply without being boring, and to balance repetition with rhythm, dialogue with action.

Here’s what you need:

• A strong structure (beginning, conflict, solution)
• A lovable main character (animal or child — always relatable)
• Repetitive, musical language (especially for read-aloud power)
• Dialogue that moves the story forward

And of course, tight word count control. Every sentence matters.

Don’t worry if this feels overwhelming. Estorytellers provides end-to-end ghostwriting support: we match you with an experienced children’s writer who will collaborate with you to bring your ideas to life, with creative flair and age-appropriate storytelling.

Illustration, Formatting, and Book Design That Pops

Let’s be honest: the illustrations can make or break a children’s book.

Your story might be amazing, but kids judge a book by its cover — and by its pages. That’s why illustration and formatting are non-negotiable.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cover design that’s eye-catching, colorful, and emotionally engaging
• Interior illustrations tailored to the age group and tone of your book
• Page layout that balances text and imagery for readability
• Correct trim size (8.5” x 8.5” or 8” x 10” for picture books)

Estorytellers connects you with professional children’s book illustrators and graphic designers who’ve worked on bestselling books. Plus, we format everything to meet the requirements of Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and more.

How to Publish a Children’s Book in the U.S.

Publishing in the U.S. can feel like a maze — but with the right roadmap, it’s surprisingly straightforward.

Choose Between Traditional and Self-Publishing

Traditional publishing is competitive, slow, and often requires a literary agent. In contrast, self-publishing gives you full creative control and much faster speed to market.

Platforms you can use:

• Amazon KDP – Print and Kindle, free to publish, global distribution
• Estorytellers – For wider bookstore and library reach

Essentials You’ll Need

• ISBN (Estorytellers helps you register one in your name)
• Copyright registration (optional but recommended in the U.S.)
• A properly formatted PDF or ePub
• Metadata: book title, subtitle, keywords, and category selection

Don’t worry about the technical setup. Estorytellers manages every part of the publishing process for you, from account setup to uploading files and pricing your book correctly.

Book Marketing for Parents, Teachers, and Schools

Once your book is published, the next big step is getting it into the hands of the right readers: parents, teachers, and schools.

Build a Kid-Lit-Friendly Author Brand

• Create a simple author website with your bio and book
• Start an Instagram or Facebook page with visual storytelling content
• Engage with parenting and educator communities online

Reach Educators and Libraries

• List your book on OverDrive, Libby, or Baker & Taylor (Estorytellers helps with this)
• Offer free digital copies to teachers or literacy programs
• Pitch school visits or Zoom storytimes

Launch Like a Pro

• Host a virtual book reading or live event
• Run a limited-time discount on Kindle to boost visibility
• Ask early readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads

Estorytellers don’t just stop at publishing. Our post-launch marketing support includes content strategy, press outreach, Amazon ads, and more to help your book make a splash.

Why Estorytellers Is the Shortcut to Publishing Your Dream Book

Writing and publishing a children’s book doesn’t have to be confusing.

Estorytellers is a one-stop creative agency for aspiring children’s authors, offering:

• Professional ghostwriting by kid-lit experts
• Illustration and design services tailored to U.S. publishing standards
• Complete publishing support on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond
• Marketing help to promote your book after it launches

Whether you’re a busy parent, teacher, or entrepreneur with a story to tell, we bring your ideas to life beautifully, professionally, and quickly.

Just bring your vision. We’ll take care of the rest.

Conclusion: How To Write And Publish a Children’s Book

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a children’s book, there’s no better time and no better team to help you do it.

You’ve learned: How to write a children’s book with emotional depth and age-appropriate language. How to publish your children’s book and avoid common pitfalls, and why Estorytellers is your best partner for ghostwriting, publishing, and beyond.

Now the only thing left to do… is get started.