Writing for adults is hard. Writing for children may be harder. There’s the complexity of the topic, tone, sentence length and word choice to consider, among other things. Every word carries significant weight. As a nonfiction children’s book author, I have a few hundred words rather than thousands to build and populate a story so that it’s meaningful and vibrant. I aim to strike the perfect ball-on-the seal’s nose balance between simplicity and depth. Facts aren’t simply listed on a page. They’re woven into a story that, I hope, is both educational and entertaining. 

Another component is visual storytelling, and I have my graphic design partner Ed to thank for that. A book’s photos and illustrations aren’t decorative; they’re a critical part of the narrative. Ed lays out a page as thoughtfully and precisely as a photorealist paints. Caption placement matters. The way the text flows across a page or spread matters. Every single detail matters. 

It has taken many years to hone my skills. The words come more easily now. When I reflect on the hundreds of nonfiction titles I’ve written and see my books in libraries, bookstores and especially in the sweet, sticky hands of children, I feel happy and full. 

Check out my latest book, Talking Plants (Huh? How Living Things Communicate), published by Susan Schadt Press, which comes out September 16. Consider ordering a copy for a curious, sticky-handed child you know. Purchase HERE.