Mistakes New Children’s Book Authors Make - And How to Avoid Them

David Salariya
4 days ago
5 min read

So, you’ve decided to write a children’s book, fantastic! Perhaps you've been inspired by your children, grandchildren, or the books you loved growing up. But before you jump head-first into creating the next Gruffalo or Harry Potter, some common pitfalls catch many new children’s authors off guard.

Writing for children might seem simple, after all, it’s a shorter book! But ask any successful children’s author, and they’ll tell you it does come with its challenges.

Let’s explore the most common nine mistakes new children’s book authors make and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

1. Authors Writing as if Children Are Small Adults

One of the biggest mistakes is forgetting who you’re writing for. Children are not just mini-adults; they see the world differently.

Their sense of humour, emotional understanding, and attention spans are not the same as adults.

How to avoid this:

Get to know your audience. If you’re writing for 4- to 6-year-olds, visit a library and read current books aimed at that age group. Notice the language, sentence length, and themes.

Observe children. What makes them laugh? What scares them?

Read widely in the genre. According to BookTrust, "Reading children's books widely is essential for understanding what works and what doesn't" (BookTrust, 2023).

2. Using Language That’s Too Complex (or Too Simple) in Children's Books

New authors could swing too far in either direction by using words and complex sentences that might confuse children or oversimplify so much that the story lacks interest.

Example: Instead of saying, “Tom was bewildered by the incomprehensible situation”, a five-year-old might better understand, “Tom didn’t know what was going on. It made his head feel all jumbled.”

How to avoid this: Read aloud what you’ve written. If it doesn’t flow easily, it might not work for a young audience.

Use age-appropriate vocabulary. Tools like the Oxford Children's Corpus can help gauge appropriate language levels (Oxford University Press, 2023).

Balance is key: don’t be afraid to introduce new words but give context clues to help children figure them out.

3. Preaching or Being Too Obvious with the “Moral”

Yes, children’s books often have lessons, but nobody wants to be lectured, especially children.

New authors could fall into the trap of writing a story that feels more like a school assembly than a fun adventure!

Example: Imagine a story where every page ends with, “And that’s why you should always share your toys.” Kids will see right through it - and likely stop reading.

How to avoid this: Focus on telling a great story first. If there’s a lesson, it should come out naturally through the character’s journey. Think about classic books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it teaches counting and days of the week through a fun story, not a lecture. As children's author Julia Donaldson says, "The story has to come first — if it’s entertaining, then the message will sneak in naturally" (The Guardian, 2016).

4. Ignoring the Importance of Illustrations

Many new authors may focus only on words, forgetting that illustrations are a crucial part of the story, especially for picture books.

How to avoid this: If you’re not an illustrator, leave space for the illustrator to add magic. Avoid over-describing what can be shown visually.

Finding illustrators: When submitting to publishers, you don’t need to find an illustrator first, publishers can help with that. To discover more head over to my other useful guide. Do Children's Book Publishers Provide Illustrators? : A Guide for Aspiring Children's Book Authors Look at how text and pictures work together in books like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt or Oi Frog!, both the words and images complement each other.

5. Writing Stories That Are Too Long

Many first-time children’s authors might be tempted to write stories that are far too long. Children's attention spans are short, especially for younger readers.

Example: If you’ve written a 3,000-word bedtime story for 4-year-olds, it’s likely too long - most picture books are around 500 to 800 words.

How to avoid this: Research industry-standard word counts for the age group you're targeting.

Trim unnecessary words: Every sentence should move the story forward or add value. A good rule of thumb: if a sentence doesn’t add to the story or character, cut it. For more help head over to How Long Should A Children’s Book Manuscript Be? Add a link to this article once published

6. Overcomplicating the Plot

New authors sometimes think they need lots of twists, side plots, and characters to make the story interesting. But children (especially younger ones) need clear, simple narratives they can follow.

Example: A story that switches between five characters' points of view might work for a teenager but for a six-year-old? Too confusing.

How to avoid this: Concentrate on one main character with one main problem. Focus on one central theme (e.g., making friends, overcoming fear). Think of books like Room on the Broom with a simple plot, but engaging and memorable.

Find out more below about where to begin with creating fiction for children. The First Steps to Writing a Children's Book: A Guide for Aspiring Authors

7. Forgetting to Read Aloud (and Test with Kids)

Children’s books are meant to be read aloud, so it’s essential to check if your story sounds good off the page.

Example: Tongue twisters or awkward phrasing can make reading aloud a nightmare, for both parents and teachers!

How to avoid this: Read your story aloud multiple times. If you stumble over a sentence, rewrite it. Test it on real children (with permission!). Notice where they laugh, get bored, or ask questions, that’s valuable feedback. Read more in my other useful guide, How to Handle Revisions and Feedback from Young Beta Readers add a link to this article once published. As the UK Literacy Association recommends, "Books that work well aloud are the ones that stay popular in classrooms and homes" (UKLA, 2023).

8. Skipping the Editing Stage

Many first-time authors fall in love with their first draft, but first drafts are rarely ready for readers.

Example: You might have a great idea, but without polishing, there may be clunky sentences, inconsistent pacing, or unclear character motivations.

How to avoid this: Take a break after writing, then return with fresh eyes. Join a children’s writing group (like those offered by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators — SCBWI UK) for feedback. Consider hiring a professional editor who specialises in children’s books. For more editing help check out What to Expect from a Children's Book Editor: A Step-by-Step Guide

9. Not Understanding the Market

Finally, many new authors might think about children's book creation without considering what’s already out there, either copying a well-known story or creating something completely off-track for current readers.

Example: Another story about a boy wizard at magic school? Publishers may see it as too close to Harry Potter.

How to avoid this: Research current bestsellers in your target age group. Visit bookshops like Waterstones or indie bookshops to see what publishers are buying. Make sure your idea is fresh or offers a unique twist.

Final Thoughts on Mistakes New Children's Authors Make in Writing Books for Children

Writing a children’s book is a wonderful goal, but it takes care, thought, and understanding of your readers.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating stories that delight, entertain, and inspire children for years to come.

Whether you’re dreaming of your book being read at bedtime or shared in classrooms across the UK, remember: it’s all about the story, the heart, and connecting with young minds.

If you’re serious about writing for children, organisations like SCBWI UK (SCBWI UK) and BookTrust offer fantastic resources, support, and events to help you grow.

Happy writing and may your next story capture the magic that children’s books are all about!