Five Essential Ingredients For Creating a Kids Story

I remember learning that all plots can be classified as some kind of conflict. Kids' stories are no different.

What's at stake in regard to how the conflict is resolved should be relatable to kids - life or death is probably either too scary or too abstract. Financial ruin is probably also inappropriate, but losing a toy or not getting along with a friend is better.

Though novelty and surprise are good in stories, kids are reassured when they can see what's coming - it's why they'll read their favourite books over and over again. Being able to create this kind of echo in a story (maybe a catchphrase) lets early readers feel some mastery over what is to come.

Maybe this is more for the parents, but being able to take a life lesson from a story is a great thing.

The main character should be likeable and show courage, or great leadership or resilience or something that kids might want to emulate.