Whether or not you have replaced your childhood picture books for more wordy novels, you will still undoubtedly have a classic storybook hidden away in your attic or at least one that you recall with fondness. Children’s books are more than just stories – they create experiences and memories we hold onto into old age. It may be the way your parents or carers read them to you or the escapism you felt from getting lost in a book. Either way, books are more than simply entertaining young minds on a rainy afternoon, but creating something that has longevity.

Many self publishing children’s book authors assume they are simply creating something entertaining for children, without thinking about the wider potential of the book they create. After all, it is the adults that buy the books, not the children. The parents or carers are often the people that have to read the same books over and over again, so it makes sense for them to be entertained too. Make a child laugh and it’s half a battle won, make a parent laugh too and you’re on to a winner.

Books that get passed on from generation to generation are those that are well crafted enough to appeal to all three audiences: the publishers, the parents and the children. It’s all about the experience of reading a book together, creating memories and encouraging imagination. Sometimes this involves looking outside the box and not always including what’s ‘expected’. Take ‘a book with no pictures’, for example, which has children rolling with laughter without a hint of a picture. In this story the grown up is the butt of the joke, being made to read silly things in silly voices.

But why should you appeal to publishers if you’re self publishing? Well, selling a book is not solely about the parents and children, it is about entering into a market and making sure your book fits. This does not mean that your book has to be the same as everybody else’s but it does mean that you need to consider the profitability of an idea. Writing and illustrating a children’s book may well be a personal project that you’re passionate about, even without the promise of sales, but if you want your book to be a success you need to think outside of this. Publishers have a wealth of experience about which books sell and which books do not and when self publishing you will need to access this knowledge through other means, whether it’s through other expertise in the field or through a large network of people who work with children.

It’s no good creating a book that is nostalgic of your own childhood or your own personal tastes. Note recent gift books by . If these were purely educational, any graphics that are simple and colourful would fit the bill, but books such as this are not solely about education, bit something of a keepsake or aspect of interior design to compliment a child’s bedroom. The work is such that an adult will look at the designs as something of high quality, and the educational elements almost become secondary. Whether you agree with this or not, this is the plain truth of appealing to the people who are investing in children’s books – these are not just about children but the whole family and persona of a family. They need to appeal to a wider age range. How will a book look on a shelf? Will it meet the tastes of current parents and young families?

Aside from creating fun books that appeal, many children’s books also tackle very profound issues, and although these may help children to deal with issues such as loss, loneliness and adversity, they also help adults to unlock things in simple ways. I’m a great believer that we are all children at heart and sometimes simple proverbs or analogies can stay with us and help us in difficult times. The heart and the bottle is a very profound book about loss and reading such a book to a child can create an important bond when dealing with bereavement – the very act of reading with a child confirms that ‘it’s okay to feel this way’, speaking the unspeakable and letting someone else’s words and pictures identify feelings and showing a way forward in ways you yourself never could. Oliver Jeffers’ ‘The Heart and The Bottle’, for example, is a profoundly beautiful book that tackles the loss of a loved one with great subtlety and sensitivity. Another book that I personally found a masterpiece is ‘Maia and What Matters’ which tells the story of the death of grandparents in an incredibly moving way. Children’s books are also shifting to tackle issues about the world around use, such as equality and climate change, educating children about morality and positive social change that is more than just simply being kind or resilient. Parents want to ensure their children are informed about the world around them and educate them with good ethics. Barroux’s near wordless children’s book ‘Where’s the Elephant’ shows a simple idea can tackle issues such as deforestation.

The Heart and The Bottle, Oliver Jeffers

Maia and What Matters, Tine Mortier, Kaatje Vermeire

In order to produce a successful book, you need to create a book that either entertains, educates, heals or inspires. It can be tempting to try to overcomplicate an idea, but the best books really are the simplest. If an idea is strong enough it will draw attention, but no bad idea can be covered up by nice illustration or expensive print. Before pushing ahead with an idea, make sure it’s been fully researched and tested on both adults and children and be open to feedback on it – yes, it may not always be what you want to hear (sorry), but through implementing testing this will ensure you have better chance of reaching wider audiences and meeting people’s genuine need. Remember, a children’s book is not just about you and your dream to be published, it’s far greater than that. How is your work going to have lasting impact and be a keepsake for children as they grow, to pass on to generations to come?

I’d love to hear what your favourite children’s books are and if you have children what theirs are too.

Writing and illustrating for children: why your books aren't just about kids