How to Write a Christian Children’s Book: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a Christian writer who wants to inspire children with faith-based stories, writing a Christian children’s book can be a great way to do so. However, it can be challenging to create a children’s book that’s both engaging and faith-based. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential tips and tricks you need to create a compelling Christian children’s book that both you and your young readers will love.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, writing a children’s book requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you with the entire process, from finding inspiration to self-publishing your finished work.

So, if you’re ready to start writing a Christian children’s book that can positively impact young readers, keep reading to learn more!

Find Inspiration from Biblical Stories

One of the best ways to write a Christian children’s book is to look to the Bible for inspiration. The Bible is full of stories that can be adapted for children’s books, such as the story of Noah’s Ark or David and Goliath. By taking inspiration from these stories, you can create a narrative that not only entertains children but also teaches them important moral lessons.

When choosing a story from the Bible, it’s important to consider the age of your target audience and choose a story that is appropriate for their age group. For example, the story of Daniel in the lion’s den may be too intense for very young children, while the story of Jonah and the whale may be too simplistic for older children.

Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on the story, as long as you stay true to the message and moral lessons of the original. This can help make the story more engaging for children and allow you to explore different perspectives or add new elements to the story.

Remember, the Bible is a rich source of inspiration for Christian children’s books, but it’s important to approach the stories with respect and care. By doing so, you can create a meaningful and impactful story that will resonate with children and parents alike.

Keep reading to discover more tips on how to write a Christian children’s book that engages and inspires young readers!

Choose Stories with Strong Morals

1. Identify the morals you want to convey in your story. These can come from Biblical teachings or personal values.

2. Research stories from the Bible or other Christian literature that align with the morals you want to convey. This can provide inspiration for your own story.

3. Create your own story that illustrates the chosen morals in a way that is engaging and relatable for children. Remember to avoid being too preachy and allow the story to unfold naturally.

Choosing stories with strong morals is essential when writing Christian children’s books. By clearly identifying and conveying these morals in a relatable and engaging way, you can help instill positive values in young readers.

Choose Age-Appropriate Language and Themes

When writing a Christian children’s book, it’s essential to keep your target audience in mind. Use language that is appropriate for the age group you are writing for. Younger children will require simpler vocabulary and sentence structures, while older children may be able to handle more complex language.

Another critical factor to consider is the themes you choose to explore in your book. While it’s important to share positive Christian values and teachings, it’s equally important to ensure that the themes are age-appropriate. Some topics may be too mature or complicated for younger children to understand, and may even be inappropriate for them to read about.

One way to ensure that your language and themes are suitable for your audience is to read books that are similar to yours. This will help you get a sense of what is appropriate for your target age group and what is not. You can also ask for feedback from parents or other trusted adults who are familiar with the age group you are writing for.

• Know your target age group: It’s important to understand the reading level and interests of your intended audience. Younger children will need simpler language and more straightforward storylines, while older children may appreciate more complex themes and vocabulary.

• Use concrete language: Children often have a limited vocabulary and may struggle with abstract concepts. Try to use concrete language and examples to help make your message clear.

• Avoid talking down to your readers: While it’s important to use age-appropriate language, you should still treat your readers with respect. Avoid using overly simplistic language or talking down to your audience.

Address Sensitive Topics with Tact and Care

As a Christian children’s book author, it is important to handle sensitive topics with care and sensitivity. This includes topics such as death, divorce, and other difficult life events that children may struggle to understand.

Use age-appropriate language: When addressing sensitive topics, it is important to use language that is appropriate for your target audience. Be mindful of the words you choose and make sure they are easily understandable for children.

Provide hope and encouragement: While it is important to address difficult topics, it is equally important to provide a sense of hope and encouragement. Children need to know that even in tough situations, there is always a way forward.

Consult with experts: If you are unsure about how to handle a sensitive topic in your book, consider consulting with experts such as child psychologists or counselors. They can offer valuable insights and advice to help you approach the topic with care.

Create Engaging Characters and Dialogue

One of the most important aspects of a great children’s book is having engaging characters. Children want to relate to the characters in the story and feel invested in their journey. To accomplish this, make sure your characters are well-developed and have unique personalities that are relatable to your target audience. Consider using dialogue to bring your characters to life and make the story more interactive and engaging for children.

When crafting dialogue, keep in mind the age of your readers and the language they use. Your characters should sound like real people, but their vocabulary and speech patterns should be age-appropriate. Use dialogue to show your characters’ personalities, motivations, and feelings, and to move the story forward.

Additionally, consider using illustrations to further bring your characters to life. Children are visual learners, and seeing the characters they are reading about can enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the story.

Develop Characters with Unique Personalities

When creating characters, think about their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help make them feel more real and relatable to readers.Consider how each character will contribute to the overall story and what role they will play in teaching the moral lesson.Avoid making characters one-dimensional or stereotypical. Instead, give them unique traits and backgrounds that make them stand out and feel like real people.

By developing well-rounded characters, you can create a story that is engaging and meaningful for your young readers.

Write Dialogue that Feels Natural and Authentic

When it comes to writing dialogue in a Christian children’s book, it’s important to make sure that it feels natural and authentic. One way to achieve this is to listen to how children actually talk. Spend time around the age group you are targeting and pay attention to their speech patterns and vocabulary. This will help you create dialogue that sounds genuine and relatable to your readers.

Another important aspect of writing authentic dialogue is to avoid being preachy or overly didactic. While it’s important to communicate moral lessons and biblical values, you don’t want your characters to sound like they are delivering a sermon. Instead, let their words flow naturally and weave in the important messages through their conversations.

Lastly, use dialogue to help bring your characters to life. Each character should have a unique voice and personality that is conveyed through the way they speak. For example, a shy character might use short and simple sentences, while a more outgoing character might use lots of exclamation points and hyperbole. By giving your characters distinct voices, you’ll make them more memorable and engaging for your readers.

Include Positive Moral Lessons

Focus on the Benefits: When including moral lessons in your story, it’s important to focus on the benefits of making positive choices rather than simply preaching what is right or wrong. Use relatable scenarios and characters to show the positive outcomes that come from making good choices.

Empathy and Kindness: Stories that promote empathy and kindness can have a powerful impact on readers of all ages. Include characters who demonstrate these qualities, and show how their actions positively impact others. This can inspire readers to be kinder and more empathetic in their own lives.

Show the Consequences: While it’s important to focus on the positive, it’s also important to show the consequences of negative actions. By showing the negative effects of poor decision-making, readers can learn from the mistakes of the characters and be inspired to make better choices in their own lives.

Avoid Preaching and Focus on Storytelling

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing stories with moral lessons is to avoid preaching to your audience. It can be tempting to want to convey a specific message, but it’s crucial to let your story do the talking instead. Your audience will be more receptive to your message if it is delivered in an engaging and entertaining way.

Focus on storytelling rather than teaching. The story should be the primary focus, with the moral lesson naturally woven into it. You don’t want your readers to feel like they’re being talked at or lectured to.

Remember that the goal is to inspire and motivate your readers to make positive changes in their lives. By focusing on storytelling and avoiding preaching, you can create engaging stories that will have a lasting impact on your audience.

Use Real-Life Scenarios to Demonstrate Moral Lessons

When writing stories with moral lessons, it’s important to avoid making them preachy or didactic. One effective way to do this is by using real-life scenarios to demonstrate the moral lessons you want to convey.

For example, if you want to teach children about the importance of honesty, you could tell a story about a child who lied to their parents and got into trouble. You could then show how telling the truth helped the child make things right and feel better about themselves.

Another example could be a story about a character who is faced with a tough decision, such as whether to stand up to a bully or go along with their friends’ negative behavior. By showing the consequences of each choice, you can help your readers understand the importance of making the right decisions.

Consider Self-Publishing Options

If you’re looking to get your book published, you may want to consider self-publishing. Self-publishing allows you to have more control over the process and keep a larger percentage of the profits.

One popular option for self-publishing is Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. This platform allows you to easily upload your book and make it available for sale on Amazon.

Another option is to use a print-on-demand service, such as IngramSpark or CreateSpace, which will print your book only when it is ordered. This can be a cost-effective option if you don’t want to invest in a large print run.

Research Self-Publishing Platforms and Options

When considering self-publishing, it’s important to research the available options to find the platform that best fits your needs. Here are some things to consider:

1. Cost: Look for platforms with low or no upfront costs, and pay attention to commission rates.
2. Features: Consider the tools and services offered, such as formatting assistance, cover design, and marketing options.
3. Distribution: Make sure the platform distributes to all major online retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

Some popular self-publishing platforms include Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo Writing Life, and Smashwords. Each has its own pros and cons, so take the time to research and compare before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions