In the imaginative world of children’s books, you can’t underestimate the power of design and layout. Visual by nature, a well-crafted children’s book engages the minds of your young readers and provides a gateway to a lifelong love of reading. 

Since you’re here, you know a children’s book’s layout is fundamental to its success. How the story unfolds on the pages, the arrangement of illustrations and text, and the overarching flow of the story all play a role in captivating the interest of young readers.

Here, we explore the art of effectively using children’s book templates, focusing on essential layout tips that will allow you to design visually stunning books. Learn the ropes of storyboarding, flow, and consistency to elevate your book’s creative appeal and narrative. 

What you need before getting started

Before creating a children’s book, you need a clear vision. Here’s what you need before diving into your children’s book design.

• Create compelling idea. Every great children’s book starts with a concept. It could be an otherworldly fantasy, a morale-building adventure, or an inspirational journey into a particular topic. No matter what, a benchmark requirement is an interesting idea that resonates with your target readers and ignites your passion for storytelling.
• Make a well-defined plan. Writing a children’s book requires careful planning. Outline the plot, characters, and overall structure of your book. Consider the age group you want to target, too. A systematic plan is a stable roadmap to keep you on track throughout designing and assembling your book.
• Understand your target audience. You must tailor your children’s books to a specific age group, as each has distinct preferences and cognitive abilities. Take time to understand the age group you’re writing for. This knowledge will help you maintain consistent language, themes, and design choices.
• Build engaging characters. Memorable characters are the heart of any successful children’s book. Develop characters that children can connect with and root for throughout the story. Give them thought-provoking personalities and relatable traits that resonate with young readers.
• Balance text and illustration. Children’s books often rely on a combination of copy and images to convey the story. Consider how much text you’ll use on each page and how it will interact with the visuals.
• Design quality illustrations. Captivating illustrations are paramount in children’s books. Whether you’re an illustrator or collaborating with one, the artwork should align with your vision and enhance the storytelling experience.
• Find a children’s book template. While some creators prefer starting from scratch, using a book template can significantly streamline the design process. Templates offer a blueprint for book design and layout structure, which can be immensely helpful in cohesively arranging your book’s content.

With these boxes checked, you’ve done most of the hard work toward designing your children’s book. The next phase is to assemble a storyboard and start organizing the components of your template and layout.

Creating a storyboard

A storyboard is a sequenced visual representation of your children’s book. It’s a roadmap that outlines the flow of the story and text and illustration placement on each page. Crafting a storyboard shapes a clear and organized structure to deliver your book’s narrative. 

How to create a storyboard

Storyboarding involves visually structuring a story’s sequence of events, settings, character development, and key plot points. By organizing the story into separate cells, you can focus on each narrative element and create a visual blueprint that helps keep everything flowing smoothly.

• Outline the plot. Break down your story into key scenes or chapters. Summarize the main events in each section, keeping in mind the pacing and progression of the narrative.
• Sketch the layout. Create rough sketches for each page, indicating illustration and text placement. Consider the visual flow and how the illustrations interact with the text to enhance the storytelling.
• Consider page turns. Pay special attention to the page turns. Use them to build anticipation and surprise the reader. Each page turn should naturally transition to the next part of the story.
• Review and revise. Once you’ve completed the initial storyboard, review it thoroughly. Request feedback and editing support to improve your narrative’s overall structure and coherence.

How the storyboard helps with templates and design

The storyboard becomes even more valuable when working with a children’s book template. It can help instruct the design modifications and customization of a template to match your specific ideas and content better. Here’s how the storyboard aligns with the template and aids the design process.

• Layout customization. The storyboard gives you a clear sense of each page’s layout. With this visual roadmap, you can easily adapt a template’s predefined elements to match your desired arrangement of text and illustrations.
• Hierarchy. A well-structured storyboard establishes the visual order of your book. It allows you to see prominent focal points and emphasize vital elements on each page, making it easier for young readers to follow the story.
• Consistency and cohesion. Creating a storyboard ensures a consistent design throughout the book. Cohesion in the book’s layout, typography, and illustration style is the basis for a polished and professional-looking children’s book.
• Efficiency in design. The storyboard provides a clear plan of action that minimizes guesswork by directing how each page will look, even before applying any template.

The storyboard is a powerful tool to help you visualize your ideas, identify any potential gaps or inconsistencies in the story, and seamlessly transition from page to page.

Crucial layout components of a children’s book

Many components must come together to create a cohesive children’s book layout. Each element plays a role in engaging young readers and immersing them in the story. Let’s dive into each so you can choose templates that work best for every part of your book.

1. Book cover

The book cover is the first thing children see, and it serves as a gateway into the magical world inside. The cover’s design should spark curiosity and intrigue, inviting children to pick up the book and explore further. 

Consider a template that will allow you to show off your most vibrant and eye-catching illustration, the one that reflects the essence of your story. And, while your visuals should be the most attention-grabbing, your title and author’s name should also be clear and legible in the template you choose. Remember to customize your layout using fonts matching the rest of your book. 

2. Front matter

Front matter typically includes the title page, copyright page, and dedication. Find a simple, uncluttered template with consistent fonts and design elements that align with the book’s theme. Front matter sets the stage for the story and establishes the book’s credibility, but it shouldn’t distract or disrupt the reading experience.

3. Scene breaks

Scene breaks signal transitions within the story. Novelists usually use visual icons and line breaks to indicate a shift in time or setting, a change in point of view, or skip over unimportant moments. 

A children’s book differs slightly from a novel, as every page or spread is a natural scene break! Look for a children’s book template that allows you to use single pages to capture a whole scene and entire spreads for key story scenes. 

4. Page spreads and page turns

As mentioned above, page spreads and turns are hugely important in your book design process. Spreads are two facing pages in a book, where illustrations and text interact cohesively across the fold. These are full-spread panoramic views of a scene well-suited for dramatic images and important story events. You’ve already chosen a template with both individual pages and spreads. Now it’s time to organize those page spread layouts mindfully by ensuring the visuals complement the text and add depth to the storytelling. 

Page turns are another structural element that can build suspense, reveal surprises, and enhance the pacing of a book. Strategically placed page turns create tension and anticipation, encouraging children to flip to the next page eagerly. You’ve probably built this tension into your storyboard, but as you move through the design process, keep these moments of pause in mind.

5. Trim size

As you look for the perfect template, consider the overall size of your book! This will affect how much information you can fit on a page and the overall design feel. Choose an age-appropriate trim size that feels comfortable for young hands to hold. 

Generally, large hardcover books make for great children’s books, as they enhance the view of illustrations and text while also making for easier page-turning. But smaller sizes can also work well for board books and early readers. Use a trim size that best accommodates the nature of your book’s content, audience, and reading experience.

6. Illustrations

Illustrations are the heart and soul of a children’s book. They provide a visual narrative that complements and enhances the written text and visual cues that help comprehension and relatability. 

While not built into children’s book templates, you’ll want to consider your imagery as you select the right one for your book. It will inform which templates are most appropriate as well as the book’s overall design. If you’re part of a bookmaking team, ensure you’re collaborating. Whether you’re the author or illustrator, if you’re working with another person, getting on the same page allows your book to be cohesive, visually appealing, and consistent.

7. Word count

Balancing word count in children’s books is essential to keep the story engaging and appropriate for your target age group, as different age groups have different word count expectations. A template that works for a chapter book for older children won’t work for youngsters—so carefully consider your word count as you choose your layouts.

For early readers (ages 5 to 8), aim for word counts between 1,000 and 2,500 words. For picture books, keep the word count to around 600 or less. Longer chapter books for children can range from 4,000 to 10,000 words. 

Of course, these are general ranges and depend on the specific genre, story, and audience. But as a general rule, remember that children’s books generally rely on concise and impactful storytelling. Focus on your story’s essential elements; every word should contribute to the narrative.

8. Font and typography

When it comes to typography best practices, choose easy-to-read fonts that are child-friendly and align with the book’s theme. While children’s book templates often have fonts baked in, you should be able to easily customize each layout to better fit your story.

As a rule, your font and typography should match your story’s mood and tone. Consider opting for a larger font size for younger readers and experimenting with different styles for emphasis or character dialogue. Again, this is an excellent place for author and illustrator collaboration if you’re working on a team. This will ensure the font works well with the illustrations.

9. Colors

Colors are a powerful tool in children’s book design, setting the tone and atmosphere of the story. Most templates you find will have a pre-selected color scheme, but don’t feel locked in. Personalize any template you work with to have it fit your narrative needs.

Consider using bright, cheerful colors for light-hearted tales and softer, muted hues for soothing narratives. A carefully chosen color palette can enhance the emotional impact of the illustrations and create an immersive reading experience.

10. Back matter

Back matter is another opportunity to be creative and provide added value to readers, be it activities, games, or additional information that complements the story. Again, this is where the book’s age group and reading level are relevant considerations. Keep back matter engaging and informative, encouraging further interaction with the book. And make sure you select a template that gives you the space and layout you need for all the content you’re planning!

Tips for a successful children’s book layout

We’ve given you a lot to think about above. But no matter which templates you choose or components you add to your book, there are a few best practices.

• Find a balance between text and illustrations to create an engaging reading experience. 
• Maintain a consistent layout throughout the book with the same margins, spacing, and alignment on each page to create a cohesive visual experience.
• Plan for page turns to create suspense, reveal surprises, and enhance storytelling. Use page spreads to create a dramatic effect or to add emphasis.
• Use theme-relevant fonts with clear and distinct letters to aid readability.
• Ensure a clear visual hierarchy to guide young readers through the story.
• Test the layout with children to gather feedback and make improvements.
• Embrace simplicity and avoid clutter in the design to keep the focus on the story.

By appropriately customizing each component of your children’s book template, you can create a stunning layout that captivates young readers, stimulates their imagination, and leaves a lasting impression. 

Find design inspiration in children’s books from other creators

These case studies demonstrate how effective layout choices can elevate children’s books, making them engaging, visually appealing, and memorable. 

The Birds in the Backyard

The Birds in the Backyard is a visually stunning children’s book that exemplifies the power of a well-designed layout. The template used in this book allows for the perfect balance between elaborate illustrations and informative text placement. The vibrant color scheme captures the attention of young readers, while the clear visual hierarchy guides them through the book. 

Amara’s Yoga Dreams

Amara’s Yoga Dreams is a beautiful example of how a simple layout supports the storytelling experience. The template’s larger font sizes and spacious page spreads allow young readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of yoga with Amara. The strategic placement of illustrations alongside the text illustrates the yoga poses, making the book interactive and easy to follow for children. 

Wyatt the Pirate

Wyatt the Pirate is an explorative example of customizing a children’s book template to create a captivating and adventurous story. The layout’s clever use of bold and playful fonts and imaginative illustrations bring the characters to life. The page spreads and scene breaks strategically build anticipation, encouraging young readers to explore the journey of this brave little pirate. 

Ten Happy Planets

Ten Happy Planets is a wonderful example of how a children’s book layout effectively and effortlessly communicates educational concepts. The template’s clean and flexible framework supports the content in a way that’s visually appealing and accessible. The bright colors and engaging illustrations capture the attention of young readers, making learning about the solar system an engaging experience.

The Dog Named Yes

The Dog Named Yes is a heartwarming example of how a children’s book can shine even with drawings made by kids. The simple and charming illustrations, created by the children themselves, add a unique and endearing touch to the book’s layout. The template’s simple, consistent text layout complements the childlike illustrations, leaving the focus on the illustrations that let young readers connect with the story on a personal level. 

Use a children’s book template and design tools from Blurb

Blurb is a print-on-demand company that empowers self-publishers to bring their books to life—and sell them! Our user-friendly bookmaking tools and children’s book templates simplify the design process. From there, we offer everything you need to sell and distribute your book.

Blurb is a proven solution for countless children’s book authors. To see examples, visit our bookstore to find hundreds of children’s books online. You’ll find books for babies, toddlers, and kids, all produced by self-publishers like you from around the world.

Get started on your children’s book project with us today!