{"id":132,"date":"2026-05-01T15:17:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bumblebearpublishing.com\/blogs\/?p=132"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:17:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:17:03","slug":"how-to-write-a-childrens-book-template","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bumblebearpublishing.com\/blogs\/how-to-write-a-childrens-book-template\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Children’s Book Template: A Proven Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h2>\n

Many prospective authors of children\u2019s books have an idea but don\u2019t know where to start writing it down. They often have both a concept for their main character and a theme or moral for the book, but feel like they\u2019re building a piece of furniture without explicit directions when going to write their book.<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s exactly what a children’s book template is for. Knowing how to write a children’s book template<\/strong><\/a> gives you a framework to work inside, so you stop staring at a blank page and start putting a real story together. This guide gives you that framework, step by step.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

How to Write a Children’s Book Template, and Why You Need One<\/span><\/h2>\n

Children’s book templates aren’t strict rules, just outlines for your children’s book, like a scaffold that supports the construction of your story. You will take away the scaffold when your book is finished and have only your work remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many first-time authors write themselves into a corner when they write a children’s book without a template; they start out writing an engaging story, but as they continue writing the story, it loses connection with the reader through the middle and turns into a muddled mess of a manuscript. A template keeps the author engaged throughout the whole book.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, kids book templates are important due to the fact that children’s books are designed according to the specific age group they will be read to. The page count, word count, and book illustration<\/strong><\/a> ratio are not arbitrary; they are based on children’s developmental stages and how children read and interact with materials. If these numbers are incorrect, although the book may be very well-written, it will create the experience of reading the book as being out of the question, which can be tremendously difficult to determine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Choose Your Age Group and Format First<\/span><\/h3>\n

Select a specific age for which you are writing a children\u2019s book, and this will help set your template for your children\u2019s book. Everything will flow from this template, i.e., your characters, story, publishing specs, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a quick reference to help you choose:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Book Type<\/b><\/td>\nAge Range<\/b><\/td>\nWord Count<\/b><\/td>\nPage Count<\/b><\/td>\nNotes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Board books<\/b><\/td>\n0\u20133 years<\/span><\/td>\n100\u2013200 words<\/span><\/td>\n12\u201324 pages<\/span><\/td>\nSimple concepts, repetition, durable format<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Picture books<\/b><\/td>\n3\u20138 years<\/span><\/td>\n500\u20131,000 words<\/span><\/td>\n32 pages (standard)<\/span><\/td>\nText + illustrations carry equal weight<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Early readers<\/b><\/td>\n6\u20139 years<\/span><\/td>\n1,000\u201310,000 words<\/span><\/td>\n32\u201364 pages<\/span><\/td>\nSimple chapters, some illustrations<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Middle grade<\/b><\/td>\n8\u201312 years<\/span><\/td>\n20,000\u201350,000 words<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nChapter books, fewer illustrations<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Most first-time authors are writing picture books. If that’s you, the standard format is 32 pages, which sounds like a lot until you realize that it includes front matter, back matter, and full-spread illustrations. Your actual text pages are closer to 14\u201317 spreads.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing this upfront stops you from writing 2,000 words for a picture book and wondering why it doesn’t work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Use a Children’s Book Outline Template to Plan Your Story<\/span><\/h3>\n

A strong children’s book outline template follows a simple three-act structure, the same storytelling shape that has worked for centuries, scaled down for young readers.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The Setup (pages 1\u20138):<\/span><\/h4>\n

Introduce your main character and their world. Determine what they require or desire. Children’s novels don’t have time for slow openings, so move quickly. Something ought to be going on by page four.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. The Problem (pages 9\u201324):<\/span><\/h4>\n

Your character encounters difficulties while attempting to achieve their goals. This is what keeps a child interested in your story. Your audience should perceive the issue as genuine and relevant. The stakes don’t have to be very high for a child who is terrified of the dark, a child who feels excluded, or a bear who can’t find his beloved hat. All they have to do is matter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. The Resolution (pages 25\u201332):<\/span><\/h4>\n

Instead of relying on luck or professional help, your character should ideally solve the problem on their own. Children’s stories work best when the main character’s actions drive the conclusion. Conclude with a powerful, funny, or clear lesson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is your children’s book outline, and it applies whether you’re writing a picture book about a grumpy caterpillar or a middle-grade adventure across three continents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Follow the Layout; How to Write a Children’s Book Template Page by Page<\/span><\/h3>\n

The next step after you get your outline is to become familiar with how to write children’s book templates by layout on a page level, vs just at the story level. Understanding layout how to write a children’s book template is what will separate manuscripts that feel finished from one that still feels like a draft.:<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a simple list on how to write a children’s picture book template broken down page by page:<\/span><\/p>\n