Tips and Resources



Goal | Subject | Genre | Audience

To begin — set your goal

Before you start your Book Builder book, ask yourself, Why am I writing this book? What do I want to convey? What interests me? What stories do I want to tell? What do I want my readers to experience or learn? Having a clear purpose, or goal, focuses your writing and makes a better book.

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Decide on the subject of your book

A good rule of thumb is to write about things you know or have personally experienced (for example, if you spend a lot of time around children, then you probably have a lot of ideas about what they like to read about). With a purpose in mind, you're ready to think about the book content to include and the approach to learning that you will take.

To help you with the content of your book, see the Book Builder tips for choosing a genre, considering your audience, and determining the amount and types of media to include.

For ideas and examples of award-winning children's books, see:


For examples of ways to make readings into interactive scripts, check these links to Reader's Theatre Scripts:


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Genre

Children's books tend to fall into two broad categories: fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction

Fiction books may take the form of picture books, short stories, and novels. Each of these formats consists of familiar genres, such as folktales, adventures, and mysteries. With the exception of poetry and little books written for emergent readers, fiction books usually contain recognizable story elements such as character, setting, conflict, plot, and theme.

Explore these links to learn more about story elements:


Nonfiction

Nonfiction books are presented in a variety of ways, including simple picture books and chapter books, as well as complex textbooks and encyclopedias. Nonfiction books use informational text structures such as description, compare/contrast, and cause/effect. Each structure utilizes common signal words like first/last, same/different, and if/then, to help readers predict and comprehend the information.

Explore these links to learn more about informational text structures:


Since there is no limit to the creativity employed by writers, sometimes the boundaries between genres are blurred, as with realistic fiction and historical fiction. The following table teases out the concept of genre a bit further. For additional information and resources for a genre, click on the genre name:

Genre Purpose
Narrative Tell about a series of events.
Procedural Give instructions for how to do something.
Expository Explain something.
Persuasive Encourage reader to do something.
Descriptive List the characteristics of something.

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Audience

Before leaping into writing, you might take a moment to consider your audience with respect to their age, reading level, and the setting in which you imagine them reading your book.

Age

There is a substantial difference in content between books written for young readers and those written for older readers.

  • Books for young readers (grades K–2) typically include lots of pictures to supplement short, predictable, patterned text. These books might address instructional goals (counting, ABCs, rhyming), content area literacies (science, social studies, math), activities (going to the zoo, visiting grandma), or personal concerns (having pets, making friends).
  • Books for older readers (grades 3–5) tend to have more text and less support from pictures. They might address instructional goals (appreciating cultures, recognizing literary themes), content area literacies (science, social studies, math), activities (fieldtrips, camping), or personal concerns (solving disagreements, environmental issues).

Reading Levels

Within a single age group there is always diversity in reading ability. For instance, books that interest young readers may be too hard for some children and too easy for others. Similarly, a book written with an older audience in mind will be at an appropriate reading level for some and not for others. Use UDL Principles to design your book with as much flexibility as possible so that you can meet the needs of a diverse audience.

Reading Environment

The reading environment in which you imagine your readers will determine the content to include. Typical environments include children reading alone, children reading in small groups, and children reading with older learners and adults. If children will be reading alone or in homogeneous peer groups without guidance, try to keep most aspects of the text simple. If children will be reading with support from adults or more proficient peers, you can spice up the text with more difficult words, more complex structures, and nuanced or controversial themes. If you want your book to work in both situations, be sure to use the Book Builder coaches to help with potentially challenging material. For example, a coach might suggest that students take a moment to summarize what's been read or make a prediction about what's to come.

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Terry's Tips
Terry's Tips

I find it inspiring to see how other authors work. And I like to browse through banks of books and images to get new story ideas. Or I think about the information that I want to write about and then peruse other books that focus on similar topics. These resources can help you go in a whole new direction or support the direction that you are thinking about!

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