Where to Find Ideas for Children's Books (That Haven't Been Written a Thousand Times)
- Chelsea Tornetto
- Aug 17
- 6 min read
As a published picture book author, one of the questions I get asked most often is: "Where do you get your ideas for children's books?"
It seems like when a hopeful author asks me this question they're expecting me to share some industry secret. Some special backroom club they can sneak into to find the "good" ideas. They often look a bit disappointed when I tell them the answer is really pretty simple...Ideas are everywhere.
But the good news is...That's actually true!
Really!
Great ideas for children's books aren't hiding in some magical place where only the "cool" authors are allowed. They're all around you—you just have to train yourself to notice them. Once you start looking at the world like a writer, you'll begin collecting story ideas without even trying.
Here are some of my favorite tips for becoming an "idea" generator!
8 Tips For Finding Ideas For Children's Books
1. Notice the small stuff.
Many new writers believe they need a big, brilliant lightning-bolt idea before they can start writing. Not true.
Great ideas often begin as tiny observations.
A funny moment.
An interesting question.
A strange "what if?"
A memory.
A misunderstanding.
The trick isn't finding ideas—it's recognizing them in their not-fully-developed form. Like noticing a seed before it sprouts!
Keep a running note on your phone or carry a small notebook. Write down anything - no matter how small - that makes you laugh, wonder, or say, "That could be something."
Most ideas won't become books.
But every great book started as one tiny spark.
2. Tune in to your target audience.
Children see the world differently than adults.
They misunderstand words.
They ask hilarious questions.
They solve problems in wonderfully illogical ways.
If you have children, grandchildren, students, nieces, or nephews...hang out with them. And if you don't, watch for volunteer opportunities with your church youth program, the YMCA, and other community organizations. Go to kid-centric events like a county fair or picnic, parade, water park, amusement park, aquarium, zoo or just your local playground, and observe kids in their "natural habitat" (without being creepy!)
Listen for:
Funny misunderstandings
Unexpected observations
Big emotions over seemingly small problems
Creative logic
Endless "Why?" questions
You're not looking to copy a child word-for-word. You're learning to think like them - to get in touch with your playful side! That youthful perspective is one of the greatest strengths a picture book author can develop.
3. Listen for catchy sayings.
Sometimes a title comes before the story. A fun phrase can instantly spark ideas.
Maybe it's something a child says.
Maybe it's a nonsensical rhyme.
Maybe it's a twist on a common saying.
My picture book Chalk the Walk evolved from the simple observation that my kids were using chalk to color the sidewalk...and that rhymed. In that moment, all I did was jot down the words "chalk" and "sidewalk" in the notes on my phone. But a few weeks later, when I opened that note again, my brain instantly removed "side" and I had a catchy title!
A memorable title creates curiosity. Then your job is figuring out the story that earns that title!
4. Make the familiar, surprising.
Many successful children's books start with something readers already recognize...
...then surprise them. This common approach works because it uses the familiar situation to draw a reader in... "You know how Grandma babysits you sometimes?" and then delight them with an unexpected twist. "Well, what if YOU got to babysit GRANDMA?"
Make a list of common experiences for 4-8 year olds. Then for each one, ask yourself, "What if?"
What if bedtime happened in reverse?
What if monsters were scared of children?
What if the class pet was an alien?
What if a scarecrow hated being outside?
What if the tooth fairy loses HER tooth?
Readers enjoy the comfort of familiar situations. But, they love them even more when something unexpected happens.
5. Aim for emotion.
Instead of thinking of a book idea in terms of"What should happen?"
Ask: "How do I want my reader to feel?"
Do you want them to feel:
Brave?
Loved?
Curious?
Hopeful?
Seen?
Proud?
Less alone?
Once you have an emotion as your goal, brainstorm events, situations, and settings that would cause a young child to feel that emotion.
Some of the most memorable picture books don't just tell a story. They leave children feeling something. And that's what keeps readers coming back.
6. Borrow from Your Own Childhood
Your childhood is full of moments that felt huge.
Your first sleepover.
A favorite teacher.
The summer you caught frogs.
Moving to a new town.
Getting lost in the grocery store.
The details may change, but the emotions are universal. Those emotional memories can become stories that resonate with today's children.
But don't stick too close to the truth. You aren't writing a memoir. Use those memories as inspiration, not an outline.
7. Think of ideas for children's books like math equations.
If you are a formulaic thinker, this approach might be helpful. Instead of approaching idea generation as an artistic exploration, think of it as a math equation. At it's most basic level, every story is made up of some common components:
Character + Plot/Conflict + Setting = Story
So, plug in the pieces...and try replacing one or more of them with something surprising! (See #4 above!)
A pirate + lost his eye patch + in the bathtub?
A dinosaur + wants to dance ballet + at the doctor's office?
Ghosts + is on a reality tv show + at the beach?
Another fun way to do this is to have ChatGPT generate a list of characters, a list of plots/conflicts, and a list of settings, and then randomly draw one of each to combine into a story!
The more unexpected the combination, the more likely you'll stumble onto something intriguing.
8. Keep an "Idea File"
Professional writers don't wait for inspiration. They collect it like squirrels prepping for winter.
Keep a note on your phone or a physical note book filled with:
Funny phrases
Character names
Interesting occupations
Random questions
Story openings
Dreams
Headlines
Strange facts
Months—or years—later, two unrelated notes may suddenly fit together into your next book.
WARNING: Not Every Idea Should Become a Book
Here's something many aspiring authors don't hear often enough: The idea itself matters. A lot.
Excellent writing can't always rescue a weak premise. And likewise, a fantastic premise often grabs an editor's (or a reader's) attention before they've even finished the first page.
Before you invest weeks—or months—writing a manuscript, spend a little time evaluating your idea.
Ask yourself these questions.
Is It Truly Unique?
Your idea doesn't have to be completely original. After all, almost every story has been told in some form. But your approach to the idea should feel fresh and make the reader stop and take notice.
Can you explain what makes your story different in one sentence?
If not, it may need another twist.
Does It Have More Than One Marketing Hook?
Publishers don't just sell stories. They sell reasons for readers to pick them up.
Maybe your book has:
A funny premise
A memorable title
STEM connections
Social-emotional learning themes
Classroom tie-ins
Holiday appeal
Strong read-aloud potential
Humor parents enjoy too
The more hooks your book naturally has, the easier it becomes to market.
Is There Actually a Market?
Sometimes writers become so focused on originality that they create something almost impossible to categorize. "There's NOTHING like this out there!" isn't always the flex you think it is.
Ask yourself:
Would a parent buy this?
Would a librarian know where to shelve it?
Would a teacher know how to use it?
Being different is good. Being impossible to describe is usually not.
Is It Too Niche?
Some ideas only appeal to a tiny audience. And that's okay if you're writing for a specific purpose, or to fill a specific gap.
For instance, Katie Lockwood's My Body Beeps! was written specifically for kids with type 1 diabetes. Is it niche? Yes. Is it also greatly needed? Also, yes! And she was able to self-publish it, market it well, and find her target audience.
But if your goal is traditional publishing, broader appeal generally gives your manuscript more opportunities.
Look for ideas that many children can connect with—even if the setting or characters are unique.
Is It Seasonal?
Holiday books can be wonderful. But remember that many retailers only stock them for a short period each year.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't write them. Just know you're entering a more specialized market with fewer publishing slots.
Does It Solve a Problem for Parents?
Parents are often the ones buying the books. So stories that gently help children navigate common challenges, and therefore help parents too, have built in appeal.
Shel Silverstein's classic poem "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out" made kids giggle as they watched poor Sarah trying to escape her growing pile of trash - and they could all relate because every kid HATES to take out the garbage! But parents loved to cite that poem back to their kids every time they complained. "You don't want our house to end up like Sarah's do you???"
Just be careful not to lean too far towards the parents. No kid wants to be preached to! Keep it fun and entertaining.
Great Books Start with Great Ideas
Writing is important. Revision is essential.
But don't overlook the foundation.
A compelling idea makes every step that follows easier.
So collect ideas everywhere. Ask questions. Stay curious. Keep a notebook handy. Most ideas won't become books. But every once in a while, you'll write down one little thought that refuses to leave you alone. And that's usually worth exploring!
Our Profitable Picture Books program is the perfect way to jump start your writing journey! Click here to learn more.
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