Navigating the world of kid’s books can be a challenge because it’s just that – a world. It has its own language, procedures, expectations, and policy. If you’re new to being a gatekeeper, or even if you’ve been there a long time, sometimes you find yourself in that moment where you really don’t know what someone is talking about.
I’ve been there.
When I decided to write for kids, I excitedly signed up for my first writer’s conference through SCBWI. (That stands for Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s the international organization devoted to helping writers of children’s books become better writers and get published. If you’re a writer, you need this group.) I was mingling with other writers, feeling the buzz of this new world, when someone asked me what I was working on. I eagerly described my story, doing my best to pitch its amazing elements. They asked, “So, is it a middle grade, or a young adult novel?”
I blinked and guessed. Middle Grade. Luckily, I was right.
From there, I dove headlong into the whirlwind of learning that would span many years.
It took me a while to learn the basics of navigating the world of kidlit. I realized that the writers aren’t the only ones that need to learn it. Readers need to know it too. This knowledge will help you become a more informed consumer, a more prepared purchaser, and a more knowledgeable gatekeeper.
Because knowledge is power.
I’ve created a short video about the organization of kidlit. It includes:
- The 4 main categories of children’s literature
- Picture Books
- Chapter Books
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult
- The ages of the intended readers and audiences in each category
- What to expect in terms of story for each level, with examples
- How genre is different from age category
Click here to access the video Navigating the World of Kid’s Books.
I also created a chart that visually represents the four age categories in kid’s books, what the purpose and parameters are for each, and a list of genres found in each category. This can be a handy guide for you as you think about the kids you serve.
Click here to get the PDF Navigating Children’s Literature.
Both of these resources teach you about how kid’s books are organized, and the language and parameters of each space. But what about how those books are made?
Here’s a list of the people and processes involved in the publication of books:
Although we’re all familiar with the stories tied to bestselling books, most authors only sell a few hundred copies of their stories. When is comes to writing, and especially with kid’s books, the work is a labor of love.
As consumers we can help authors by reading widely and purchasing books from multiple sources. When you read a book you love, leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Those reviews actually go a long way to upping the promotion power of all authors, whether published through a big house or self-published.
The more you know about the world of kid’s books, the more control you can have over what gets poured into your kids’ minds.
Make it good!