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Choosing the best childrens book format for your target age

Choosing the best childrens book format for your target age

Choosing the right book format for your child is as crucial as selecting the right book itself. Whether you want to foster a love of reading in your child, engage students as a teacher, or attract young readers as a self-published author, the format plays a significant role. Different age groups have unique needs regarding books, and picking the appropriate format can greatly enhance the reading experience.

Contents

1. Board books for babies and toddlers
2. Picture books for preschoolers
3. Early readers for kindergarteners
4. Chapter books for young readers
5. Middle grade novels for tweens

clock - estimated reading time  Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

1. Board books for babies and toddlers

If you have a toddler at home, you know how much they love to explore their world with all their senses. That’s where board books become essential. Designed for little hands, these sturdy books suit young readers perfectly and are ideal for early childhood development. They can engage toddlers and encourage a love for reading from an early age.

1.1 Why board books?

Board books offer high durability, making them perfect for babies and toddlers who may not handle their belongings gently. They’re easy to grip and feature thick pages that little ones can turn easily. Ideal for early childhood reading, board books nurture a love of literature from a young age while withstanding the wear and tear of daily use.

1.2 How to make your board book

When selecting the perfect board book for your child, prioritise bright colours and simple, engaging illustrations. Interactive features such as lift-the-flap designs and textured surfaces keep your little one entertained, but can be expensive to print, so consider your budget ahead of time. Additionally, books with repetitive text and rhymes not only captivate young readers but also support language development.

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2. Picture books for preschoolers

As children grow, their reading needs evolve significantly. For preschoolers just beginning to grasp the concept of stories, picture books serve as an ideal choice. These engaging books can start to have more in-depth narratives than baby and toddler books, but still need vibrant images to help the child understand the narrative. By incorporating colorful illustrations and simple text, picture books lay a perfect foundation for early literacy development.

2.1 Importance of picture books

Picture books blend engaging illustrations and simple text that bring stories to life. These books play a crucial role in helping children enhance their vocabulary, understand story sequencing, and nurture a lifelong love for storytelling. By reading picture books, kids enjoy tales and at the same time build essential language skills that support their early literacy development.

2.2 The key features for your picture book

When creating picture books for children, prioritise vibrant, engaging illustrations and straightforward but interesting storylines. Opt for texts that are short and simple, allowing the colorful images to convey the story and enhance early literacy to foster a love for reading in young readers.

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3. Early readers for kindergarteners

When children enter kindergarten, they become primed for early readers. These specially designed books facilitate the transition from picture books to more text-heavy stories, supporting literacy development without throwing them in the deep end. Early readers play a crucial role in helping young kids enhance their reading skills and build confidence as they explore more complex narratives.

3.1 Benefits of early readers

Early readers feature simple sentences and familiar vocabulary which helps children start reading independently. These books often include rhyming words and repetitive phrases, making reading fun and boosting confidence. Engaging stories and relatable language support literacy development in young learners.

3.2 What to consider for your early reader

When making a book for early readers, opt for large print with ample white space to make the text more approachable. Include illustrations, but keep them secondary to the text to aid comprehension. This approach helps young readers feel confident and engaged as they develop their reading skills.

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4. Chapter books for young readers

Once children gain confidence with early readers, they are ready to transition to chapter books. These chapter books feature more text and fewer illustrations, serving as a vital bridge between early reading materials and more advanced novels. This progression helps young readers develop their skills and prepares them for more complex stories. Engaging with chapter books not only enhances literacy but also encourages imagination and critical thinking.

4.1 Why chapter books?

Chapter books play a crucial role in helping young readers build reading stamina and enhance their skills. They offer more complex storylines and characters that prepare children for longer novels. By engaging with chapter books, kids improve their comprehension and become confident readers, setting a strong foundation for their literary journey.

4.2 How to make your young reader

Focus on developing an easy-to-follow storyline with interesting characters. Because young readers have very few illustrations, remember to include ample description of characters, places, and items to engage the reader’s imagination and start developing this important skill.

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5. Middle grade novels for tweens

Middle grade novels, aimed at tweens aged 8–12, serve as perfect gateways for young readers ready to explore more complex themes and engaging storylines. These novels seldom feature illustrations and require much more in the way of plot and characterisation than the previous book types discussed. Middle grade novels provide a substantial reading experience, helping tweens to develop critical reading skills while enjoying captivating narratives.

5.1 The importance of middle grade novels

These novels help tweens enhance critical thinking skills and foster empathy through diverse characters and relatable situations. By presenting various perspectives, they encourage deeper engagement with literature, making reading a more enriching experience for young readers.

5.2 Creating your middle grade novel

When writing books for tweens, focus on stories that feature strong, relatable characters and engaging plots that promote critical thinking and personal growth. Don’t be afraid to write a plot twist or two! Select age-appropriate themes that address real-life challenges a child of this age bracket may encounter (even if fantastical!).

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The advantages of Print-On-Demand for self-publishing authors

The advantages of Print-On-Demand for self-publishing authors

For self-publishing authors, the global distribution route once presented significant challenges and financial burdens. Navigating through the maze of distribution networks, bulk print runs, and fulfilling orders can overwhelm and consume time. But now there’s an easier, cost-effective way to get your book into the hands of readers: Print-On-Demand (POD) printing.

Contents

1. What is print-on-demand?
2. How print-on-demand saves you money
3. Avoid cluttering your home with hundreds of books
4. Speed up your self-publishing timeline
5. Easily reach readers around the world

clock - estimated reading time  Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

1. What is print-on-demand?

Print-On-Demand (POD) revolutionises printing technology by allowing you to print books only when ordered. Unlike traditional publishing, which requires printing thousands of copies upfront and storing them in a warehouse until an order comes through, POD prints books one at a time. This approach eliminates the hassle of unsold inventory and storage space. Simply upload your manuscript and cover to a POD service, and your book becomes ready for purchase!

POD services handle everything from printing to shipping. Whether your reader is in Australia or anywhere else in the world, they can order your book, and it gets printed and shipped directly to them without you, the author, having to lift a finger.

This technology greatly benefits self-publishing authors as it breaks down the barriers of traditional publishing and offers a flexible, manageable way to get your work into readers’ hands.

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2. How print-on-demand saves you money

One of the biggest advantages of Print on Demand (POD) is cost savings. Usually, distributing your book requires a significant upfront investment, including expenses for large print runs, storage, and distribution. These costs can quickly add up and discourage many aspiring authors from self-publishing.

With POD, the upfront cost of printing is eliminated, allowing you to allocate those funds to marketing or even starting your next book. The flexibility of printing on demand makes self-publishing much more affordable and accessible.

POD also reduces waste by printing only what is needed, promoting an eco-friendly approach that not only saves you money, but also helps the environment by reducing unneeded resource consumption.

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3. Avoid cluttering your home with hundreds of books

Imagine printing 1,000 copies of your book and selling only 100. What happens to the remaining 900 copies? Print on Demand (POD) resolves this issue by printing books as they are ordered. No more boxes of unsold books gathering dust in your living room! With POD, you maintain a clutter-free home while keeping your book available for sale.

Additionally, many POD services offer warehousing options. If you print a small batch, these services can store your books and handle the shipping for you, eliminating the need for home storage space.

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4. Speed up your self-publishing timeline

Time is crucial in self-publishing. Unlike traditional publishing, which can take years to bring a book to market, self-publishing significantly speeds up this process, and using a POD printer makes this even faster, cutting out the wait time on a bulk print run. Once your print files are prepared, you can upload it to a POD platform and have it available for purchase within days. This rapid turnaround is perfect for self-publishing authors looking to get their work out quickly.

Moreover, POD allows for instant updates. If you find a typo or want to make changes, you can easily update the digital file. The next printed copy will include your revisions, enabling ongoing improvements without major delays.

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5. Easily reach readers around the world

One of the most exciting benefits of POD is its global reach. Once upon a time, self-publishing often restricted distribution to specific regions or to where the author could reasonably travel their books. This made it challenging for self-publishing authors to reach an international audience.

POD platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark offer global print and distribution, allowing readers to order your book anywhere in the world. This expands your reach to readers you might not have accessed otherwise.

Global distribution with POD also creates more opportunities for marketing and promotion. You can launch international advertising campaigns and participate in global book fairs, significantly increasing your book’s visibility and sales potential.

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The Little Book of
Big Publishing Tips.

 

In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

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Bestselling books that started out self-published

Bestselling books that started out self-published

Self-publishing gives authors the freedom to write what they want, how they want, without the limitations of traditional publishing houses. There are many authors who have used self-publishing to launch their writing careers and even get traditional publishing deals and continue their success.

Contents

1. The Appeal of Self-Publishing
2. Self-Publishing Bestseller as a Blog Serial: The Martian by Andy Weir
3. Self-publishing Bestseller as Both Paperback and eBook: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
4. Self-Publishing Bestseller as a Novella Series: Wool by Hugh Howey
5. Australian Self-Publishing Success Story in Poetry: Grave Delights by N’Gadie Roberts
6. Australian Self-Publishing Success Story in Historical Fiction: Grimmish by Michael Winkler
7. Tips from Bestselling Self-Published Authors

clock - estimated reading time  Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

1. The Appeal of Self-Publishing

Why are so many writers turning to self-publishing? The answer lies in creative control and opportunity. Self-publishing gives authors the freedom to write what they want, how they want, without the limitations of traditional publishing houses.

One major advantage is speed. Traditional publishing can take years, but self-publishing lets you get your book to market quickly. This rapid turnaround attracts many authors. Self-publishing also offers significant financial benefits. When you self-publish, you retain a much higher percentage of the royalties, greatly increasing your earnings. Finally, there’s immense satisfaction in seeing your book in print and knowing you achieved it independently.

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2. Self-Publishing Bestseller as a Blog Serial: The Martian by Andy Weir

Andy Weir’s The Martian started as a blog serial. Yes, you read that right. He published chapters on his website, and readers loved it. They loved it so much that they requested an eBook version.

Weir listened to his audience and self-published The Martian as an eBook and quickly caught the attention of a literary agent. Soon after, it became a bestseller and turned into a blockbuster movie starring Matt Damon.

The key takeaways? Listen and engage with your readers. You might discover a new way to publish your work! Don’t be afraid to start small, either. Successful authors often begin with blog posts or self-published eBooks before hitting the bestseller list.

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3. Self-publishing Bestseller as Both Paperback and eBook: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey is arguably one of the most famous self-publishing success stories in modern history. Initially published as an eBook and print-on-demand (POD) paperback, it quickly gained a massive following which led to a conventional publishing deal, and the rest is history. Fifty Shades of Grey became a global phenomenon, complete with movies, merchandise, and a dedicated fan base.

James’ story highlights the importance of multi-format publishing. Offering your book in both eBook and paperback formats can broaden your audience and increase your reach and therefore sales potential.

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4. Self-Publishing Bestseller as a Novella Series: Wool by Hugh Howey

Hugh Howey’s Wool series is another success story. Initially, Howey released Wool as a stand-alone novella, and when its popularity surged he expanded the story into subsequent novellas and eventually compiled them into a full-length novel.

Howey’s self-publishing strategy allowed him to build a loyal reader base by continually releasing new content, keeping his audience engaged and increasing his book sales with each new instalment.

Howey proves that a publishing strategy can be to release your books online in smaller, serialised formats. This tactic can generate anticipation, retain engaged readers, and boost your overall sales in the self-publishing market.

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5. Australian Self-Publishing Success Story in Poetry: Grave Delights by N’Gadie Roberts

In Australia, self-publishing success isn’t just for novels. N’Gadie Roberts’ poetry collection Grave Delights exemplifies this. Roberts chose to self-publish to maintain full artistic control. Her unique voice and compelling themes resonated with readers, resulting in strong sales and critical praise. Roberts has even gone on to have her poetry exhibited in the Met Museum and read by actress Cynthia Erivo.

Grave Delights proves that poetry can excel in the self-publishing world, especially when the author stays true to their vision. For poets considering self-publishing, Roberts’ success story powerfully demonstrates what can be achieved.

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6. Australian Success Story in Historical Fiction: Grimmish by Michael Winkler

Michael Winkler’s Grimmish is a historical fiction novel which Winkler initially had difficulty getting published. He first attempted traditional publishing means, but was met with disinterest. By choosing to self-publish, Winkler bypassed traditional gatekeepers and brought his unique story to life on his own, and it was well worth it, too; Grimmish became the first self-published book to be shortlisted for Australia’s Mile Franklin Award.

Winkler’s success highlights the potential of self-publishing, especially for niche genres like historical fiction which are often overlooked by traditional publishing. If you’re writing in a genre which isn’t the mainstream, self-publishing might be your best option to reach readers and achieve success.

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7. Tips from Bestselling Self-Published Authors

Now that we’ve explored some stellar examples, let’s learn valuable insights from successful self-published authors. Discover their top tips and strategies for self-publishing to boost your book’s success.

7.1 Engage with Your Readers

Andy Weir’s success story highlights the power of reader engagement. Connect with your audience through blogs, social media, and email newsletters. Their feedback shapes your publishing strategy for better results. Engaging with readers boosts your visibility and helps you understand their preferences, driving more traffic to your content.

7.2 Offer Multiple Formats

E.L. James demonstrated that offering both eBooks and paperbacks can significantly boost your reach and sales. Different readers have varied preferences, so catering to all formats increases your chances of success. Optimise your publishing strategy by providing both digital and print options to maximise reader engagement and book sales.

7.3 Consider Serialisation

Hugh Howey’s strategy of publishing his work in smaller instalments engaged his readers and made them crave more. To boost reader retention and increase excitement around your story, consider using serialisation as a winning approach.

7.4 Stay True to Your Vision

N’Gadie Roberts and Michael Winkler show that sticking to your creative vision pays off. Self-publishing lets you maintain your unique voice and message, resonating deeply with readers. Discover how self-publishing benefits authors, helping them reach their audience while staying true to their artistic vision.

7.5 Invest in Quality

When self-publishing a book, don’t skimp on quality. A polished book always stands a better chance in the competitive self-publishing market, so hire professional editors, cover designers, and typesetters. Investing in quality makes your book stand out and attracts more attention and, in turn, readers.

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Interested in publishing your book but unsure where to start or what is even involved? Tell us about your project and we will post you a copy of our:

 

The Little Book of
Big Publishing Tips.

 

In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

submit your project details