Children’s books fail for one of two reasons: the language is pitched at the adult reading it aloud, or the story has no engine to carry a child from page to page. We write for the child, keep the adult reader in mind, and deliver a manuscript an illustrator can work from without guessing.
What you get
- A 5,000-word manuscript for early readers and chapter books, or a 500–1,000-word picture-book text if that is the format you need.
- Age-appropriate vocabulary with a controlled reading level: short sentences, concrete images, no adult asides.
- Illustration notes — a scene-by-scene breakdown of what each spread should show, which is the part most self-published children’s books are missing.
- Rhyme only when it works: we will tell you honestly if your concept suits verse or prose, because forced rhyme is the fastest way to lose a parent at the till.
- Two revision rounds, plus a read-aloud check for rhythm and tongue-twisters.
How the project runs
- Age and format. Board book, picture book, early reader or middle-grade chapter book, and the exact age band.
- Story spine. One central character, one problem, one lesson that is shown rather than preached. You approve the outline.
- Drafting. The full text, formatted with page or chapter breaks and a visual note for each scene.
- Read-aloud revision. We test the text out loud, cut what trips, and deliver the final manuscript with the illustration brief.
Formats we write
Picture books for ages 3–7, early readers at 5–8, chapter books at 7–10, and middle-grade at 8–12. Series characters can be set up in book one with a repeatable structure, which is how children’s series actually sell — the second book should be easier to write than the first, not harder.
Who commissions these
Parents and grandparents turning a family story into a gift. Teachers and childminders with a classroom idea. Authors who can plot for adults but freeze at 200 words. Charities and clinics needing a gentle story about a difficult subject — hospital, loss, difference, worry — handled without frightening the reader.
What children actually notice
Children reread. They notice that the rabbit was grey on page four and brown on page nine, and they will tell you about it for years. They also notice when the adult narrator explains the lesson instead of letting the character learn it. We write with both in mind: consistent details, a problem a child can recognise, and a resolution that arrives through the character’s own choice rather than an adult’s intervention.
We also write for the person reading aloud at bedtime — sentences that can be spoken in one breath, repeated phrases children can join in with, and page turns that land on a question rather than a full stop.
Pricing
| Tier | Scope | Price | Was | You save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 book — 5,000 words, illustration ready | $150 | $150 | |
| Professional | 3 books (series) | $400 | $400 | |
| Bulk / Authority | 5 books | $620 | $630 |
Illustration and cover design are separate services and can be added to the same order so the files arrive ready for print and for KDP Kids.
Frequent questions
Do you illustrate the book?
The writing package delivers the manuscript and the illustration brief. Artwork is quoted separately, either through our cover services or your own illustrator using our scene notes.
Can you write in my child’s name?
Yes. Personalised books are a common request: the child is the hero, the details are theirs, and the dedication page is included.
Is 5,000 words enough?
For a chapter book, yes. Picture-book texts are far shorter — around 500–800 words — and if that is your format we will quote for the shorter text instead of selling you length you do not need.
Send your children’s book idea — the age band and the character are enough to start.