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Overused themes in children's picture books?

9 replies

SchoolOfKnocks · 30/07/2020 12:28

Hello! I am embarking on my first book aimed at children 3-5 yrs. I have a few ideas but before developing my story I thought it might be a good idea to ask this question.

I have googled and looked online and I do find e.g. Reedsy very useful and interesting, but can't see much about current trends.

Basically, I am wondering whether publishers are fed up with books with certain themes or characters - for example, too many stories about cats/elephants/naughty kids/whatever. Or too many submissions in a particular style perhaps. I know the key is to create something unique and if you have a unique angle on something then it doesn't matter anyway, BUT I just thought I would ask this question. There seem to be fashions in adult novels, and I wonder if it is similar with children's picture books. So that I could possibly avoid the reaction from potential publishers of "Oh no, not another one about xyz or in xyz style." I can't say I've noticed such trends during the whole time I have worked with young children, but then again, I was coming at things from a different direction then!

I hope this question makes sense? Would appreciate any input - thank you! Thanks

OP posts:
Zilla1 · 30/07/2020 12:38

I'm not aware of trends in picture books except from publishers and agents to broaden protagonists and content so more of the audience can see themselves reflected in the books. I'll be interested in how much the industry follows up these words with action (and money).

Excepting that, I think you touched on the key point, which is to write the best, unique story you can.

Good luck.

OxenoftheSun · 31/07/2020 07:28

I think you need to do a lot of reading of the type of book/for the age group you want to write for so you can see what’s out there.

Tumbleweed101 · 09/08/2020 15:07

The most important for me is something not too long and which flows off the tongue well when reading out loud. I work in a nursery and find those kind of books get picked more often (esp by staff) than books with ‘clunky’ prose. Also avoid hard to pronounce names - we all stumble on them and pronounce the differently!

Books such as bear hunt are popular for the repetition and also because they are teaching prepositions, for example, as well as having an element of ‘danger’ for the child.

iamtheoneandonlyyy · 09/08/2020 15:14

And although it's slowly changing it would be great to see more females as doctors/ firefighters etc and more males baking or playing with pink toys and things.

niceupthedance · 09/08/2020 15:19

More diversity in general would be great, I couldn't find a book without a dad figure in when DS was small and I was a single parent

AppropriateAdult · 13/08/2020 12:20

More picture books with children rather than animal characters, please! My kids always prefer them to the animal ones, but they’re hard to find at our local library...

Moonflower12 · 13/08/2020 13:57

I agree about the diversity- more please!
Books that tick the EYFS boxes too. Eg
Predictable refrains, rhyming words etc.

SchoolOfKnocks · 13/08/2020 20:56

Hey thank you for the suggestions! I thought my thread had died.

My idea is concerning insect characters so can't really be diverse (except inclusive of creepy crawlies). I agree about reading books out loud with clunky prose being no fun, and will try hard to avoid that. I have knowledge of the EYFS and will bear in mind.

OP posts:
Longlockdown · 16/08/2020 22:43

Please write a leading female character. Even animals & monsters are male - crayons coming home, dear zoo animals have male pronouns as a default, giants, supertatoes - all of them are flipping male! More than half of the children hearing these books think they don't exist as the main part in their own lives 🤔

www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/21/childrens-books-sexism-monster-in-your-kids-book-is-male

www.theguardian.com/books/2011/may/06/gender-imbalance-children-s-literature

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