Posted by : Writing a Picture Book: Word Count, Page Count and Age Groups Explained
How many words should a picture book have? How many pages? Is my story for 3-year-olds or 7-year-olds? These are some of the most common questions from new children’s authors. Here is a simple guide.
Children’s book age groups
- Board books, ages 0–3: a few words per page, simple concepts like colours, animals and shapes.
- Picture books, ages 3–8: a complete story told through words and pictures, usually read aloud by an adult.
- Early readers, ages 5–8: short sentences and simple vocabulary for children starting to read on their own.
- Chapter books, ages 7–10: short chapters with some illustrations.
- Middle grade, ages 8–12: longer novels with few or no illustrations.
How long should a picture book be?
Most picture books are under 1,000 words, and many of the best are much shorter. The pictures do much of the storytelling, so every word should earn its place. Read your story aloud: it should take just a few minutes.
How many pages?
Picture books are traditionally printed in multiples of 8 or 16 pages, with 24 and 32 pages being the most common. Remember that the title page and copyright page take up space too. Plan your story across spreads, two facing pages, because that is how children see the book.
Tips for writing a great picture book
- Start the story quickly; young readers have short attention spans.
- Give your main character a clear problem to solve, and let them solve it themselves.
- Use repetition and rhythm that children love to join in with.
- Leave room for the illustrator: don’t describe what the pictures can show.
- End with a satisfying twist, a warm feeling or a gentle lesson.
From manuscript to published book
Once your story is ready, Books Mantra can help with editing, storyboard design, illustrations, cover, ISBN, printing and distribution. Our packages include from 8 up to 40 illustrated pages, depending on the plan. Compare our publishing packages or create your free author account to get started.