Children book

Advice not asked for: Don't write down to children. Treat them with respect.

How many pages? How many words? That depends a bit on your definition of "young". A book for a beginning reader who is supposed to read it "all by myself" shouldn't have as many words as one for a more advanced - but still young - reader... or as one that a parent is to read aloud (even to a younger child).

It's true that some publishers prefer to use "their own" illustrators, but if you illustrate yourself (or if you've found an illustrator who is "perfect" for your book, I personally say fight for that option.

I searched for 3 years for an illustrator for my book "Not Now, Daddy!" before I did the illustrations myself. And now I wouldn't have it any other way.

During that time, the publishers who'd been willing to sign me dropped me... So I founded my own publishing company. Having been on the receiving end of publishers' highhandedness, I'm committed to treating authors and illustrators well. Without them - US - there would BE no books.

Anyway, La Gr@not@ wants to specialise in picture books, so check us out: la-granota.com/crazy.htm

Hi Melinda

I don't have any publishers to recommend, but check publishers' submission guidelines. Some of them have their own preferences as to whether they want to see illustrations as well as the manuscript.

One publisher may prefer only the story and will use one of their own illustrators who they feel would be best suited to work with you. Another publisher might like to see a "dummy" book, which is the text along with a layout of rough sketches.

Good luck with it.

1.The Korky Paul entry in the handbook discusses layout well from an illustrator's perspective.

2. Are you planning to illustrate it yourself?