Children’s book writing is an art.
There's SO MUCH more to writing a children's book than just putting words on paper and slapping some colorful images on the adjacent page.
It's an art that takes careful planning and attention to detail. You need to be able to capture the interest of your target audience (which should be a very specific age group) with enticing language and meaningful illustrations.
And that means writing in a style that will appeal to them. You also need to be able to convey your message clearly and concisely while still keeping the book interesting.
It has taken me years of trial and error to find the right cadence, and honestly, I would have been better off taking a course!
So, I have reviewed the best children's book writing courses of the year.
Here they are:
15 Best Children’s Book Writing Courses:
- Writing For Young Readers- Opening The Treasure Chest
- Writing Books for Children Diploma Course
- Writing for Children
- How To Write A Great Children's Book
- Creative Writing- Children's Story Book Writing Diploma- CPD Certified
- The Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing, Illustrating & Publishing Children's Picture Books
- Writing A Children's Picture Book
- Pitch Writing For Nonfiction Picture Books
- Children's Book 101: Writing For The Right Age Group
- Introduction To Writing A Children's Fantasy Novel
- Exploring Books For Children: Words and Pictures
- Online Writing For Children Course - An Introduction
- How To Write Bestselling Children's Stories
- Children's Book Writing Course
- R.L Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences
Writing For Young Readers- Opening The Treasure Chest
This course will help you perfect the art of writing captivating stories for modern-day young readers. It's offered on Coursera by Commonwealth Education Trust, created and presented by award-winning children's book authors David Hill, Maria Gill, and Alex Alexandrou.
Why this course?
- It helps you to explore different wrong styles for children's books
- It helps you to identify your writing voice
- It introduces you to the different elements of story building and setting
- It teaches you different self-editing skills and narrative stretching methods
- It gives you insights into publishing children's books
- It offers peer-reviewed writing exercises
- Offers both video and online reading materials
- Guest appearances by accomplished children's authors
- It allows you to pace your learning to fit your schedule
Course details:
- Pricing: Free
- Duration: 13h
- Rating: 4.7 stars
Pros:
- Certification available upon completion
- Ideal for both aspiring and seasoned children's book writers
- Offers insightful input from published guest authors
Cons:
- Certificate available on purchase only
- Delayed feedback on assignment
- Teaches basic writing concepts
This course is ideal if you want new skills and inspiring ideas about writing children's books. Click here to sign up to begin learning today.
Writing Books for Children Diploma Course
This course covers all aspects of children's books, from idea building to writing and publishing. It's a certified course offered by the Center Of Excellence and recognized and accredited as a CPD (Continuing Professional Development ) course.
Why this course?
- It teaches you how to develop an in-depth outline for your book
- It teaches you to write children's books in genres like horror, fantasy, and picture books
- It introduces you to the different concepts of writing for young readers
- It teaches you how to publish, market, and create an author profile for your book
- You can pace your lessons to suit your schedule
- It's an accredited and certified course
Course details:
- Pricing: £127 ( approx $141.73)
- Modules: 14
- Duration: Self-paced learning
- Rating: 4.8 stars
Pros:
- It gives you access to study group learning
- You get lifetime access to the course
- Ideal for budding and seasoned learners alike
Cons
- None
Click here to sign up for this course today.
Children's Book Writing Course
This course is designed and presented by Lead Academy.
Why this course?
- It is CPD (Continuing Professional Development) UK, and IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine) certified.
- It introduces you to the mechanics of writing books for children.
- MCQ exam and 24 hr tutor support available
Course details:
- Pricing: £125 ($139.49)
- Duration: 3h
- It contains six modules and supplementary resources
- Certificate available on completion
- Full lifetime access to the course
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Rating: 4.8 stars
Pros:
- You get tutor support throughout the course
- You can learn at your own pace
- Quality learning resources provided throughout the course
- Ideal for aspiring and seasoned writers
Cons:
- Highly-priced.
If you want to actualize your dream of writing children's books, this is the course for you. Click here to sign up for this highly accredited course.
Writing for Children
This course takes you on a learning journey exploring creative writing for children of all ages. It was created and presented by published authors Steve Alcorn and Dani Alcorn.
Why this course?
- It teaches you how to write effectively for all children's genres
- It introduces you to fiction and nonfiction writing for children
- It offers examples to practice writing your book
- It introduces you to different publishing and marketing concepts for children's books
Course details:
- Pricing: $84.99
- Duration: 2h 46m
- It contains 15 lectures and 26 downloadable learning resources
- Certificate on completion
- Available on mobile and TV
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros:
- You can pace your learning to fit your schedule
- Detailed and well-structured lectures
- Ideal for writers of all levels
Cons:
- Teaches basic writing concepts
- Highly-priced
If you want to learn how to conceptualize a children's book of any genre, this is the course for you. Click here to begin your lessons today.
How To Write A Great Children's Book How To Write A Great Children's Book
This course was designed and presented by a seasoned writer and bestselling author, Rob Parnell. It focuses on writing fiction for children and is available on Udemy.
Why this course?
- This course teaches you how to write educational and engaging fiction stories for children.
- It introduces you to the world of children's book publishers
- It teaches you how to self-publish your stories on Amazon
Course details:
- Pricing: $84.99
- Duration: 1h 39m
- It contains 28 lectures and 50 downloadable resources
- Full lifetime access to the course
- Accessible on mobile and TV
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Offers certificate on completion
- Rating: 4.3 stars
Pros:
- Well-articulated lessons
- Presented by accomplished authors
Cons:
- No examples or activities provided
- Boring lectures
- Cringeworthy information in some sections
This course is a good start if you'd like to explore fiction writing for children. Click here to start learning today.
Creative Writing- Children's Story Book Writing Diploma- CPD Certified
This course is CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified. It was designed and presented by Be-a Education & New Skills Academy, UK, and available on Reed Courses.
Why this course?
- It teaches everything there is to know about writing a children's book, from ideation, story outlining, character building, plot building, and illustration.
- It covers publishing requirements for children's books.
- You'll earn a Diploma certificate on completion.
- It's internationally recognized as a professional and self-development course.
Course details:
- Pricing: £12 ($13.39) +VAT
- Duration: Self-paced learning
- Offers 20 CPD hours/points
- Offers 14-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime access to the course
Pros:
- Well-structured and articulated lessons
- Exams and assessments available
- Tutors available to students
- Student discounts available
- No prior writing experience or qualifications required
Cons:
- Boring introduction
- Teaches basic creative writing concepts
Sign up for this course to give your children's book writing career a head start.
The Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing, Illustrating & Publishing Children's Picture Books
This course is taught by seasoned children's book-writing authors and publishing industry experts.
Why this course?
- This course covers everything all aspects of children's picture book writing
- It incorporates real writing experiences of published children's authors
- You can watch recorded live webinars and written resources if you miss out on live presentations
- It offers you the option of professional critiquing for your writing
Course details:
- Pricing: Different course package prices and discounts are available
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Scholarships available for the course
Pros:
- Variety of tutors and lesson packages
- Information-packed and interactive lessons
- Course lessons accessible for a year after completion
Cons:
- Highly-priced
- The course is offered only once a year
- No certification for this course
This course is a good choice if you wish to learn children's book writing from seasoned children's authors and illustrators. Click here to join this course today.
Writing A Children's Picture Book
This course is designed and presented by renowned children's book author and illustrator David O'Connell.
Why this course?
- It teaches you all the tips and tricks of writing and illustrating a book for children.
- It teaches you how to build relatable characters for young audiences
- It offers you the option of a personal tutor
Course details:
- Pricing: £220 (approx $245.51)
- Duration: 6 weeks
- It contains six modules, videos, and written notes from the instructor
Pros:
- It offers you professional and peer-reviewed feedback
- You get to join a community of writers with similar interests as you
Cons:
- Highly-priced
- No certification available upon completion
This course is ideal for writers wishing to perfect picture book making. Enroll here to begin learning today.
Pitch Writing For Nonfiction Picture Books
This course is the genius creation of Isabel Thomas, an award-winning science writer and children's book author.
Why this course?
- It teaches you how to create a nonfiction picture book from scratch.
- It details how to pitch your original idea to create a picture
- It teaches you how to use illustrations to communicate to young readers
Course details:
- Pricing: $59.99
- Duration: 4h 10m
- It contains 20 lessons and 23 additional resources
- Rating: 100%
Pros:
- Ideal for aspiring and seasoned writers
- You can pace your lessons to suit your schedule
- You get unlimited access to the course forever
Cons:
- No certification for this course
Sign up for this course to learn more about writing and illustrating children's nonfiction picture books.
Children's Book 101: Writing For The Right Age Group
This course is designed and presented by renowned UK publishing editor Anna Bowles for Reedsy courses.
Why this course:
- It teaches you how to outline and illustrate a children's book
- It introduces you to the publishing requirements of books for different children's ages
- It also introduces you to children's book marketing concepts
Course details:
- Pricing: Free
- Duration: Self-paced learning
- Contains ten lessons
Pros:
- It addresses the writing requirements for books targeting specific children's age groups
- It's concise and well articulated
Cons:
- It teaches more about publishing requirements than writing or illustrating a children's book.
If you are stuck polishing your manuscript for publishing, this course is for you. Sign up for free to learn the ropes of publishing children's books.
Introduction To Writing A Children's Fantasy Novel
This course is designed and presented on Domestika by Piers Torday, a teacher and published author of children's fantasy books.
Why this course:
- It teaches you how to plan, structure, and create a compelling fictional story that impacts young readers.
- It helps you to master plot development, world-building, and character arcs for your children's fantasy book
- It teaches you how to complete and edit your draft for publishing.
Course details:
- Pricing: $59.99
- Duration: 4h 6m
- It contains 17 lessons and 17 additional learning resources
- Rating: 100%
- Unlimited access to the course
Pros:
- It allows you to pace your learning
- Ideal for beginner and seasoned writers alike
- Well-structured and articulated lessons
Cons:
- Teaches basic children's book writing concepts
This course is ideal if you want to delve into fantasy writing for children's books. Sign up here to get started today.
Exploring Books For Children: Words and Pictures
This course is designed and offered by The Open University.
Why this course:
- It teaches you the developmental-conscious concepts of writing and illustrating children's books
- It teaches you how to use pictures and words to communicate with children and adults.
Course details:
- Pricing: Free
- Duration: 8h
- Contains eight modules
- Rating: 4.6 stars
- It offers a statement of participation on completion.
Pros:
- It offers in-depth training and thought-provoking discussions
- It's ideal for writers of all levels
- You can learn at your own pace
- No sign-up is required to start the course
Cons:
- No tutors available for course assessments
This course is ideal for writers looking to learn more about writing books that impact children's lives positively. Click here to start your lessons today.
Online Writing For Children Course - An Introduction
This course is designed and offered online by City Academy.
Why this course?
- This course gives you practical writing activities
- It requires your live participation online
- You get professional reviews and feedback virtually
- You get to learn and interact virtually with other writers in your group
Course details:
- Pricing: Not indicated
- Duration: Virtual learning
Pros:
- It teaches you the basic concepts of writing children's books
- You get to learn with and from other participants in your group
Cons:
- No information on course payments
- No certification available for this course
Click here to book a slot and participate in the next virtual presentation of this course.
How To Write Bestselling Children's Stories
This course is designed and offered by Write Academy specifically for writers looking to venture into the world of children's books.
Why this course?
- It covers all genres of writing for children's books
- It offers in-depth insights and training into creating impactful books for children
Course details:
- Pricing: $119
- Duration: Self-paced learning
- Contains 18 modules
- Certificate of achievement on completion
- Lifetime access to the course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros:
- Well-structured and articulated lessons
- Insights into the world of publishing children's books
- Writing worksheets and exercise bundles are provided as a bonus
- No prior writing experience is required to start the course
- Accessible on mobile
Cons:
- It's highly priced.
This course provides in-depth, all-rounded training on creating a children's book. Click here to start learning at your own pace today.
R.L Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences
This course is a creative writing masterclass designed and presented by award-winning children's horror novelist R.L Stine.
Why this course?
- This course goes all out to teach you how to write engaging horror stories for children of different ages.
- It teaches you how to remove fear from horror stories and have your reader turn to the next page for more of your story.
- It also teaches you how to mix horror and humor when writing for young audiences
- The instructor is an award-winning horror writer, teaching from writing experience.
Course details:
- Pricing: $15 per month, billed annually
- Duration: 3h 53m per class
- It contains 28 video lessons
Pros:
- Classes taught by experienced author
- Free writing samples provided
- Ideal for aspiring and seasoned children's book writers alike
Cons:
- Course highly priced
This course is ideal for writers looking to advance their craft and grab the attention of young readers. Click here to start learning award-winning tricks today.
While most courses focus on one or two aspects or styles of writing children's books, they offer in-depth information into the basic requirements of writing a children's book. You can enroll for any of the above courses to get your dream book writing off the ground and onto the hands of young readers.
