When you think about writing for children, nonfiction might not be the first genre that comes to mind. Picture books, chapter books, fairy tales, and poems are the usual suspects that capture a child’s imagination.
Have you ever considered writing nonfiction for kids? These books can be just as engaging and thrilling, all while nurturing a sense of curiosity and adventure.
Writing Nonfiction for Kids
Here are a few things to keep in mind when writing children’s nonfiction.
1. Tell a story.
Even in nonfiction, storytelling is key. It’s even more important when writing children’s nonfiction. Telling a story is how you make your subject come to life. Otherwise, you’re just listing down information. That’s going to be such a dry and boring read.
No matter their age, people like well-crafted plots and settings. The only difference is you can’t make things up! Use a combination of facts, anecdotes, and storytelling techniques to hook your readers and keep them engaged.
2. Understand your audience.
You’re writing for human beings without much knowledge or experience. They’re only just becoming aware of the world.
Use language and concepts appropriate for their age. Break things down into digestible chunks. Organize your writing in a way that’s easy to follow. Consider their attention span. Be clear, concise, and to the point.
3. Make it fun.
Teens and adults can handle books that read like encyclopedias. Kids primarily look for something fun to read.
So don’t write to dump information on them. Write to give them excitement. You’re not just educating them but also showing them how awesome the world can be. Adding humor and interesting facts is a good start.
4. Focus.
You’ll lose your audience if you have a topic that’s too extensive. There’s just too much information for them to process.
Find a specific angle and dive into it. However, remember that the more specific you get, the less information you might work with. It could leave you with a book that’s too sparse.
The civil war? Too broad and complex. The union or confederacy? Still too broad. How did Abraham Lincoln get his nickname? Doable and interesting. You can use this specific element to introduce other subjects or provide background information later on.
5. Use images.
Humans are visual creatures and information is easier to understand in visual form. It’s why most children’s fiction you see have pictures.
Use images that are bright and inviting to your readers. They don’t need to be intricate or accurate, they just need to be able to relay the general appearance of something. Images become more detailed as kids grow up and can understand more.
6. Use bright and visual language.
Just like with images, you also need to use bright and visual language. Use strong verbs, be direct to the point, and don’t be wordy. Kids have extremely active imaginations, use that to your advantage.
Leave out the fancy writing, kids don’t care about it. Adults might like beautifully worded sentences but kids will largely focus on what’s interesting and exciting.
You also avoid confusion by using clear and crisp language. Saying that someone is “strong” is much more understandable than “indomitable.”
7. Use creative writing.
A lot of children’s nonfiction falls under creative nonfiction—using creative writing elements to tell a factual story. A good example is talking animals that take on the role of a narrator.
These conceits make your work more engaging and accessible to young readers. However, you must make sure that you’re still working with purely factual information. Otherwise, it’s no longer nonfiction.
A good example is the Backyard Books series by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries. Each book is narrated by an animal, who goes into detail about their life cycles and behaviors.
8. Focus on primary sources.
The quality of your information is important in writing any nonfiction. The best way to ensure quality is to always go right to the primary source. Interview experts and eyewitnesses. If you can’t, go for newspapers and first-hand written accounts.
Remember, you’re writing for kids who are still developing their critical thinking skills. Make sure that the research you use comes from a trustworthy source and can be verified by other sources.
9. Don’t think it’s easy.
Many people think that writing for children is easy, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. While it’s true that most children’s books use simple language and clear information, there’s actually a lot to think about.
It can be hard to simplify information without changing its meaning. You also need to make sure your writing is interesting for kids and that the topic is right for their age. If you’re dealing with sensitive topics, you have to be careful and do your research.
Plus, you’re not just writing for kids. You’ll also need to work with adults like publishers, illustrators, and distributors, each with their own rules and standards.
10. Make it interactive.
Include activities, quizzes, and prompts that encourage children to think and engage with the material. It encourages them to participate, enhances retention, and keeps them engaged. Add them during the important parts of your book to further reinforce their experience.
Some types of nonfiction aren’t as suited to these as others. However, you can always include questions they can mull over.
What other tips o you have on writing children’s nonfiction? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Find an Illustrator for Your Children’s Book
- 16 of the Best Children’s Authors that Delight All Ages
- 30 Classic Children’s Picture Books
- How to Write a Children’s Book: Tips on Length, Illustrations, and More
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
