5 Common Writing Mistakes Picture Book Authors Make—and How to Avoid Them
- Chelsea Tornetto
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Writing a children's book is a dream for many—and a rewarding one! But before your manuscript lands in the hands of young readers (or a savvy agent), it’s worth making sure you haven’t fallen into one of the most common pitfalls.
As a freelance picture book editor, I read hundreds of manuscripts each year. And some common mistakes always stand out.
When it comes to writing picture books, these five mistakes can weaken your story—and keep your manuscript from standing out in a crowded market.
Here are five common writing mistakes in children’s book manuscripts—and how to avoid them:
1. An Old-Fashioned Voice
The mistake: Your story sounds like it’s from 1952. To you, it might sound “charming” and “classic.” But it just doesn’t resonate with today’s readers.
Why it matters: Today’s young readers expect modern language, relevant humor, and a tone that feels fresh. An outdated voice can make your book feel stiff or out of touch, no matter how good your story is.
How to fix it:
Read current children's books in your target age range to get a feel for contemporary style.
Listen to kids talk—what do they say? What do they care about?
Watch for overuse of formal phrasing, rhyming for rhyme’s sake, or narrator-heavy exposition that drags down pacing.
2. No Conflict
The mistake: Nothing really happens. The character wakes up, has a nice day, and goes to bed. That’s... it.
Why it matters: Every great story—yes, even for toddlers—needs tension. Without a compelling story arc, there’s no reason to turn the page.
How to fix it:
Ask yourself: What does my character want? What’s in the way?
Introduce obstacles, misunderstandings, or surprises—even small ones can create emotional stakes.
If your story resolves without your main character having to change or act, it might be time to raise the stakes.
3. Too Personal
The mistake: Your story is a memoir in disguise. It’s really about your childhood dog, your grandmother, or your experience at summer camp—down to the last detail.
Why it matters: While emotional truth is essential, too much personal specificity can make a story hard to connect with. It might matter deeply to you, but not necessarily to your reader.
How to fix it:
Start with the truth, then fictionalize.
Zoom out and ask: What’s the universal emotion or message here?
Give your character their own personality, voice, and choices—even if they’re inspired by real people.
4. Preachy or Didactic Tone
The mistake: The story is really a lecture in disguise: “Here’s why you should be kind,” “Don’t forget to share,” or “Always listen to your parents.”
Why it matters: Kids don’t read books to be told what to think—they experience that on a daily basis already! Instead, they read to feel something, laugh, or see themselves in a character. Stories that hammer home a moral feel heavy-handed and inauthentic.
How to fix it:
Keep entertainment as the primary goal. Let the theme emerge naturally from the plot and character growth.
Show, don’t tell: Instead of saying “Kindness matters,” show a character choosing kindness in a tough moment.
No adults allowed! Removing adult characters forces your main character to take charge and solve their own problems…and learn their own lessons without a lecture.
5. No Action—All Dialogue
The mistake: The whole story is people talking. There’s little to no movement, setting, or physical action.
Why it matters: Children’s books are visual experiences and rely on illustrations just as much as words. If there’s nothing happening in the text, there’s nothing to show in the pictures!
How to fix it:
Refer to #4 above. Many times too much dialogue is a sign that your story is too preachy.
Skip to the action. We don’t have to hear everything that’s said. Focus on the action beats of the story.
Remember, illustration opportunities matter in picture books—don’t rob your illustrator of action!
Final Thoughts
Writing for children is one of the most joyful (and deceptively difficult) forms of storytelling. Avoiding these common writing mistakes won’t just make your manuscript stronger—it’ll help your story truly connect with the kids (and adults) who read it.
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