Writing
Little Foxes Love To Play With Boxes
My thoughts on having written a picture book for children
Writing for children
As I write this, I have no particular ambition to become a children’s author. My fiction writing is largely a hobby — albeit a very enjoyable one. I make my modest living from a very different kind of writing.
When I write for pleasure, I enjoy trying out different styles and genres, and writing in a variety of forms, from poetry and prose to essays and memoir. I like to enter my work in competitions — so far with little success apart from the odd ‘Highly Commended’. I have four pieces about to go under the scrutiny of judges as we speak.
I relish the opportunity to flex my writing muscles, and the challenge of writing in different ways and styles appeals, and keeps me interested. So, when I saw a competition to write the words for a picture book for young children, I thought I’d give it a go. The brief was wide — write on any subject — the only stipulation was the book should be no more than thirty-two pages in length.
It’s harder than I thought
Many people I have spoken to think writing for children is an easy option. Having now given it a go, I believe this to be far from the truth. I’ve learned that to be successful in this genre a writer will need, amongst other things:
- An original idea, ideally with a twist or a surprise ending (even if writing a tried and tested theme).
- A unique character or characters
- An appropriate word count
- A story that can easily be illustrated
- The skills to put those ideas down on paper in a way in which children of a certain age can understand and, more importantly, enjoy.
To do this, a prospective children’s author — especially one who has no experience of writing in this genre — needs to be cognisant of the developmental ages and abilities of their target audience, the type of book best suited to that particular age-group, and the subject matter trending in the age group one is considering writing for. The book has to appeal not only to the children, but also to the adults who will be reading it to/with them.
From my research I have discovered that writing for the children’s market is very competitive. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic many of the publishers who used to consider unsolicited submissions, no longer do so. There are many genres of children’s books, from picture books to traditional literature, to young adult themes. The market is constantly changing, and getting a book published is a long journey, sometimes taking over a year to get into print. To make one’s story still relevant, desirable, and profitable in twelve months time is a challenge not to be taken lightly.
Do your research
I’m a qualified Early Years practitioner. I worked in a primary school for many years. My own experience of children is that they can be quite fickle — something they loved and enjoyed reading yesterday may be cast aside for something else today without a by your leave. One only needs to browse the shelves of the local library or bookshop to see the vast array of books on offer to children and young people. Doing so, you will understand the huge task before you. Frankly, it now seems a daunting prospect.
How does one begin? Do I ask myself: How will I excite those young minds with my story? How should I start? What genre shall I write? What age group shall I pitch my work for? What narrative voice should I use? Can I still be a ‘pants-er’ and just go for it, or do I need a plan?
Get the tone right
As with all writing, getting the tone and the perplexity of the story right is paramount in order to engage with your audience and encourage them to read on. Books have to appeal to the adults as well as the children, as they are the ones who are buying them on behalf of their off-spring. In this case the book-covers are as important as the content. I’ve discovered that publishers prefer to use their own illustrators, so at least you — the writer — don’t need to stress about that aspect. If you’re thinking of taking your picture book down the self-publishing route, finding the perfect illustrator to do your words justice may take some time. It is also likely to be quite expensive unless you can come to some agreement about sharing the publishing costs as well as the royalties.
Finally
I’m glad I’ve given writing for children a go. It’s been a useful period in my writing journey. I wrote my picture book in syllabic verse of 12 and 13 syllables. The story has a repetitive rhythm (which my research tells me, is liked by children, adults, and publishers alike) and is easy to read aloud, an essential element for the adults who will be reading it.
Although my story wasn’t long-listed in the competition, I am interested enough to keep looking into the genre. Perhaps I’ll even take one of the many ‘Writing For Children’ courses which are currently on offer. I look forward to trying my hand at writing for other age groups within the children’s book market.
You can read my picture book story below. If any agents/publishers out there want to take me on, please do not hesitate to get in touch! :-D
Little Foxes Love To Play In Boxes
Here’s a box, open the flap. Who’s inside the box?
It’s a little red fox cub. Hello little red fox.
Hello Fennel. What are you doing inside that box?
Children and foxes love to play in big boxes.
There’s a small box, a square box, a short box, a shoe box.
A round box, a toy box, a tall box, a tin box.
There’s a cake box, a hat box, and a box full of crocs.
Crocodiles? In a box? Fennel don’t hide in that box!
There’s a box made from wood, a box that says ‘Candles’,
And one made from cardboard, another has handles.
There’s a box made from metal, Fennel bangs with a spoon.
And another with cards in, of stars and the moon.
Look! Fennel the fox is inside a big brown box,
Fenn pretends its a boat, with a large canvas sail.
The weather is stormy! Look out for the box rocks!
My goodness! What is that? An enormous blue whale!
There’s a box with wood blocks in, and one full of clocks,
And a box with some socks in, and one filled with locks.
There’s one box with swirls on, two boxes with roses,
Another is white, and it’s painted with posies.
Fennel, what’s in that box?
Look out, it’s a Jack-In-A Box!
Not a fox in a box.
Fennel don’t stand in that box!
There’s a postbox (too tall), and a ring box (too small),
And a grey box that’s tall, like a high castle wall.
There’s a box, on a box, on a box, on a box,
And Fennel the fox cub climbs up to the top one.
Now Fennel’s a spacefox who walks on the moon,
In a long box Fenn thinks is a rocket that flies.
Fenn’s taking a clock, and his bear, and a dustpan,
Some hevva cake, a pasty, and two saffron buns.
Oh! Where’s little Fennel now? Which box is the fox in?
Is Fennel in this box? This box has no fox in.
Can you find Fennel the fox? Which box is the fox in?
Shh, Fennel’s asleep in a hat box, and snoring!
Night, night little Fennel, sleep tight little red fox.
Sweet dreams little fox cub, we’ll close up your bed box.
We’ll come back tomorrow to play with your boxes.
Boxes are fun for little children and foxes.
