Customer Reviews

Writing Children's Books For Dummies

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For almost 5 years, I've doled out advice in my monthly column for children's writers, Advice from a Caterpillar at Writing-World.com. I must confess I cringe a little as I hit the send button whenever I am advising a reader to read a book with "dummies" in the title. But then, that's the whole point. "Writing Children's Books for Dummies" has only been out a few months and I'm already recommending it to my readers! Of course it is never my intention to insult anyone, but the truth is, over the years, I've been asked some pretty dumb questions. The great thing is this book has the answers.

Much more than a how-to manual, "Writing Children's Books for Dummies" is comprehensive; covering everything from what motivates you to write for children to genres to the children's book market. Yet readers will find plenty of advice such as, how to craft your story, write nonfiction, find a publisher, and market your book. With the help of the thorough table of contents and index, information on a specific topic is easy to find.

As a columnist for children's writers I am particularly impressed with Chapter 2: Children's Book Formats and Genres, and Chapter 3: Understanding the Children's Book Market. The biggest mistake prospective children's writers make is that they simply do not know enough about the age group or market they're writing for. Until now, I lacked a single resource to refer my readers to -- but this is definitely it. Lisa Buccieri is a publishing executive with over 15 years' experience in the business, so readers can take her word for it.

But wait -- there's more! Experienced authors will find plenty to sink their teeth into. Authors Buccieri and Economy dish up the real meat of children's writing by including chapters on plot, dialogue, point of view, and the awesome task of editing your own work. Authors will love the chapters on agents, contracts, and Ten Best Ways to Promote Your Story.

A reader once wrote to me: "I'd like to write for children but I can't think of any story ideas. Where can I find story ideas?" Well, guess what -- Chapter 20 offers More than Ten Great Sources for Storylines, which is more like 12 full pages of story ideas. Rich Tennant's "The 5th Wave" cartoons, plus interviews with authors, editors, and agents generously sprinkled throughout contribute to the excellence of this book and catapults it to the top of my list of recommended reading for children's writers.

This book is so full of utterly indispensible advice that it's a wonder it doesn't explode in a shower of confetti and punctuation. On every single page you'll find information that could help you plan, write, publish, or publicize your children's book. The book covers every single aspect of the process that I can imagine, from brainstorming to editing, finding an agent to signing contracts, self-publishing to promoting your book.

The advice found here is positive yet realistic, honest about what you need to do to succeed without being harsh. It gives you the tools you need to improve your work, develop your skills, and polish your professionalism. One of the most useful features is the scattered collection of interviews with professional publishers, editors, and writers, all of whom give you straight-up helpful information about what to do (and what to avoid) when trying to get published.

If you're totally unfamiliar with the professional publishing world you'll find plenty here to introduce you, but even if you're an experienced writer just looking for childrens'-book-specific advice this book is worth your time. My one concern is that the legal information isn't as consistently basic as the rest of the information, and if they're aiming this book at beginners then I'd think that'd be one of the scarier and more alien sections, in need of extra hand-holding help. Legal information in particular tends to make starry-eyed beginners curl up in the fetal position, and I think this material could have used a bit more work to make it accessible.

As fantastically useful as the information is, I did find it harder to stay focused on this book than I do with some others. It gets rather dense with material, and although there are definitely some bright spots of humor, they're a little scarce for a book of this type. Humor is such an invaluable tool for getting frightened beginners to loosen up and absorb information. Other than that, however, the writing is clear and thorough. So if you don't need that kind of help to get through the information you need then this book will be a fantastic aid to you.

This is a great primer on writing for children from newborn to teens. I've had a children's book roughed out for the past decade, but never quite knew what age to gear it for, or what language to use. Now I know and am ready to shape up my manuscript with confidence.

The tear-out cheat sheet by itself (in front of Writing Children's Books for Dummies) justifies buying this book. It lays out the bare-bones of writing for children - things I could never have figured out by myself, such as Children's Book No-No's, and the Twelve Commandments of writing for Children - these will save me lots of time and effortin the rewrite stage.

Highly recommended - Not just as a writing primer, but as a way to understand young children's minds in general.

Writing Children's Books for Dummies is one of those complete, easy-to-use guides that should be on the shelf of any writer who is serious about writing and publishing children's books. Having read most of the reference books on this subject on the market today, I can say this is right there among the best and well worth its price.

The structure of the book is clear and easy to handle, the language straight forward and to the point. No matter which aspect of children's writing or publishing you're interested in, you only have to look in the table of contents to find it. The authors use interviews and illustrations to present their ideas in a more engaging manner. They also utilize icons to stress important ideas or points. For example, special icons are used for "Tips" (expert advice), "Remember" (important information to store in your brain for later recall), "Warning" (avoiding mistakes), and "Ahead of the Pack" (new and innovative topic). At the end of the book there are five lined pages for note taking, quite practical for those readers who like to take notes as they read.

Everything from formats and genres, understanding the market, setting up your workspace, coming up with ideas, researching, creating compelling characters, the mechanics of writing (conflict, climax, dialogue, setting, point of view, tone, theme, etc.) to editing and formatting, illustrating, finding agents and publishers, the publishing process and much, much more. You'll even find more than ten great sources for compelling storylines, as well as helpful tips on promoting your work. In short, all the information you'll need to succeed as a children's book author.

Whether you choose to read from cover to cover or jump straight to the topic of your choice, Writing Children's Books for Dummies will prove to be an indispensable reference and amalgam of helpful information for your writing career, as well as a fecund source of ideas for articles. Highly recommended for both fiction and non-fiction writers, students of children's literature, and writing teachers.

I am a published fiction writer and I've been trying to break into childrens books for a while as it is something I've always dreamed of doing. Unlike other books on the subject, this book gave me all the tools I needed to write a good story and get it published. CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR DUMMIES has helped me refine my ideas into ones that were really kid-friendly. I learned all about the different format children's book are written in from board books to novels and everything in between. They gave me step by step guidance in how to write great characters, how to craft a believable and interesting plot, and how to make my characters speak like children do--not like miniature professors. Then they took me through the editing process and how to submit to editors and agents in a way that will get their attention. This book had everything in it I needed

This book is a wonderful addition to any aspiring writer's library--and it's the one you should actually bother reading from cover to cover. I highly recommend you this book.

Not only is Buccieri and Economy's book extremely complete ,easy to read
And understand, it is also a pleasure to read.


I bought Buccieri and Economy's book for my son, who is writing a children's book. But started to read it myself. I think anyone who enjoys reading should buy a copy for themselves. The book could also be called:" Literature Appreciation 101". I had no idea of all that goes into writing, publishing and marketing a children's or any other book, for that matter! I have a much greater appreciation for everyone involved in the process and now I know how to tell a good book from a great one!


Buccieri and Economy's book fills a big gap not only for the aspiring book author but for published authors as well. All of us want to improve and hone our creative output and "Writing Children's Book for Dummies" as well as being complete, easy to read, and encouraging, is just plain BRILLIANT! Bravo!


I have finally found my mentors to guide me through the process of writing, publishing and selling a book. Buccieri and Economy inform, guide, encourage and are there both when you stumble and applaud your successes. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to write or who already has written a book.

Buccieri and Economy's book is specific to children's books but can be applied to writing for any age. It also helps a reader and buyer learn how to choose between a good book and a great one!

Buccieri and Economy's book is absolutely wonderful! Not only is it a step-by-step guide to writing a book, encouraging you all the way, but it goes through the entire process from first idea to finding an agent to publishing to marketing and to giving back to the community! BRAVO!

This book provides newbies like me with a wealth of information. It is writen for the novice. It helped me get started on the right track. It is full of industry information that only the authors know due to thier vast experience in the business. I particullarly found the interviews with ediotrs and publishers very helpful. This book really lays everything you need to know out for you. You can skip around, it's titled wonderfully. Since reading this book I have received more positive feed back from potential agents rather than just a rejection letter. I'm not published yet but I'm on my way and it's because this book helped me. I HIGHLY recommend it. You won't be sorry if you purchase it. It covers everthing from getting started to getting published.

I have purchased about 10 "Dummies" books in my life, and this is by far the best of the bunch. This book is packed full of insight, inspiration and information. A must have for aspiring authors of children's books.

This book WRITING CHILDREN's BOOKS FOR DUMMIES by LisaRojany Buccieri and Peter
Economy should be a bible for anyone intending to write books for children.
It give you meat and potatoes, covering a gamut of questions from the creativ process
(content and form)to editing and last, but not least marketing.
It was about time some professionals would take out the time to come up with such a
comprehensiv and informativ work. In addition it is great fun to read.
Highly recommanded!

Anyone who wants to write a children's book must own this book. I've read many books on this topic, and this one is the best. This book provides easy to follow guidance, tips on how to get published, and inspires creativity.