When it comes to naming a children’s book, it might seem like one of the easiest steps in the process. After all, it’s just a few words, right? But those few words carry a lot of weight.
If you’re still in the process of writing your book, or if you’re still deciding on the title, there’s no pressure to nail it right now. In fact, many authors start with a working title and tweak it—sometimes more than once—before the final draft is complete.
This blog will guide you through practical tips on how to name a children’s book—helping you give yours the perfect title and common mistakes to avoid along the way.
Why Picking the Right Children’s Book Title Matters
Have you ever seen a book title that grabs your attention, like it was written just for you? The kind of title that practically says, “Pick me up, you’ll love what’s inside!” Now, be honest—how many times have you skipped over a book simply because the title didn’t resonate? I think we can all say we’ve been there.
In a sea of stories, where countless books line shelves or populate online, it’s easy to breeze past the ones that don’t stick out. Sure, we’ve all heard the ever popular phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s face it—we often do. Titles and covers are the first things people notice, and they can make all the difference in whether someone picks up your book or keeps scrolling.
Now with children’s books, it’s not just the title that needs to pop—the cover illustration has to grab children’s attention too. An interesting title and engaging visuals? That’s what gets little readers (and grown-ups) to pick your book off the shelf.
It's important to note that it’s not just the title that needs to stand out, but also the illustration on the cover that will appeal to children. It doesn’t matter how good your story is if the cover of your book doesn’t catch the eye of your reader.
Your title is your first impression, so make sure it gets the attention it deserves.
Top Tips for Picking A Children’s Book Title
When naming your children’s book, start brainstorming with these five strategies:
Use Your Main Character
Your main character’s name can be a great starting point for your title. You can use their name alone or pair it with something that gives readers a sneak peek into their journey, personality, or what they’ll experience. For example, let’s say your main character is a mouse named Max. While “Max” on its own might not grab every reader’s attention, you could make it more engaging like: Max the Brave or Max and the Missing Cheese. Using your main character’s name right away helps the reader feel connected and gives insight into what’s in store for them.
Real Life Examples Include:
- Corduroy by Don Freeman
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Keep It Short
There’s a few reasons to keep the title of your children’s book short:
- Number 1: It helps it stand out. Whether shoppers are scrolling online or skimming the bookstore shelves, a shorter title is likely to stand out easier.
- Number 2: It’s easier to remember. The shorter the title, the easier it is for a child to remember it and ask to read it again.
- Number 3: It helps with quick understanding. A short title often helps readers grasp the main idea of the story quickly.
Real Life Examples Include:
- Where’s Spot by Eric Hill
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Hook The Reader
Use your title to intrigue the reader right off the bat. Make them want to know more just from the cover of the book. A book with a title of Olivia Learns to Bake, might not hook readers when they already know exactly what Olivia is going to do. Instead, you could try something like Olivia’s Baking Disaster or The Mystery of Olivia’s Missing Cupcakes. Now you’ve sparked curiosity and have your readers thinking, “I have to find out what this is about!”
Real Life Examples Include:
- There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Create a Play on Words
Using rhyme, alliteration, rhythm, or a familiar phrase turned around can make your book’s title not only catchy but also fun for children to remember. Dr. Suess was a master at this. Rhythmic titles like The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, or Hop on Pop gives the reader a sneak peek into the rhyming nature of his stories before they’ve even opened the book. Playful titles invite kids in and hint at the story’s tone, which makes them excited to read more.
Real Life Examples Include:
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
- Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
- Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Use Your Theme
Make the theme of your story the title—but remember to keep it fun. You don’t need to directly state what the story is about, but imply it. If you reveal everything in the title, what is the point of reading it? Look at the pivotal moments from your book and see how you can fit them into your title.
For example, if your story is about a young girl who learns the importance of a nighttime routine, instead of using a title like, Susie Gets Ready for Bed, you could tie in the theme with a title like, The Bedtime Battle or Susie’s Secret Bedtime Mission. These titles hint at the theme while still making the story sound exciting.
Real Life Examples Include:
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
- What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After putting so much work into your children’s book, you want it to stand out on the shelves and sell. To do that, you’ll want to make sure you skip these common mistakes when naming your book:
- Including a Tagline/Subtitle: A great children’s book shouldn’t need a tagline or subtitle to explain itself.
- Spoiling the Story: Intrigue your reader without giving them everything right on the cover.
- Not Testing it with Children: Test out your title with your target readers. If you aren’t receiving a positive response, you might need to workshop it some more.
If you haven’t finished the story yet, or you’re still in the illustration process, don’t stress about the title of your children’s book. You have plenty of time to refine it before hitting publish. After all, making adjustments along the way is all part of the creative process.