How to Know If Your Children’s Book Idea Is Good (And What to Do Next)

If you’ve been holding onto a children’s book idea, you may have asked yourself a quiet but important question: Is this actually a good children's book idea, enough to turn it into a book?

I understand that question deeply. It often comes at the very beginning…or sometimes right in the middle, when doubt starts to creep in.

I’m going to walk you through how I determine a “good” children’s book idea, how to move forward when you feel stuck, and how to know when it’s time to invite others into your process.

We’ll Cover:

• What Makes a Children’s Book Idea “Good”?
• How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
• Who to Ask for Feedback (And Who Not To)
• When to Bring in a Professional Editor

What Makes a Children’s Book Idea “Good”?

When someone asks how to know if your children's book idea is good, I like to bring it back to something very simple.

How well does your idea connect to a real child’s world?

One of the first things I look at is the age of the main character. If you’re writing a picture book and your character is within that four- to eight-year-old range, you’re already on the right path.

But that’s just the beginning.

Next, I look at the problem in the story.

• Is it something a child that age might actually experience?
• Is it emotional, relatable, or meaningful in their world?

Children learn through stories. They learn through what they see, what they hear, and what they feel when a story unfolds.

So if your idea helps a child understand something, feel seen, or simply feel joy and entertainment, then your idea holds value.

A “good” idea is not about complexity—it’s about connection.

How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck

There are moments in almost every writing journey where things feel…still. 

If you’ve found yourself staring at your manuscript, unsure of what comes next, I want you to know this is a natural part of the process.

When I feel stuck, I return to movement. how to know if your children's book idea is good

That might look like:

• Writing something completely different for a few minutes
• Trying a simple writing prompt
• Letting ideas flow without editing

Sometimes, I step away from my own story and go read other children’s books. There is something powerful about immersing yourself in the rhythm and structure of stories written for children, and getting inspiration from what authors before you have done (without copying their ideas).

Then I come back to the page.

Another approach I often suggest is very simple: Set a short amount of time and write anyway.

Ten to fifteen minutes. No pressure. Just presence. Even if you feel like nothing you’re writing is any good, or makes any sense—just keep writing.

You may be surprised what comes forward and what good ideas show up when you give yourself that space. 

And if you’re still searching for direction, return to your beginning.

Ask yourself:

• What first inspired this story?
• What notes did I write down at the start?
• What did I want this story to become?

There is often something waiting for you there.

Who to Ask for Feedback (And Who Not To)

At some point, you may feel ready to share your story.

This is a meaningful step—but I encourage you to be thoughtful about who you invite into this part of your process.

It may feel natural to ask a friend, a spouse, or someone close to you. And while their support matters, they may not always have the context needed to guide a children’s picture book.

They might be thinking in terms of novels, or they may carry beliefs about writing that don’t align with your path.

So instead, I gently encourage you to seek out other children’s book authors.

People who are:

• writing their own stories
• learning the same craft
• walking a similar journey

There is a level of understanding and objectivity there that can be incredibly helpful.

And, just as importantly, I want you to trust something deeper:

You were given this idea for a reason.

Not every person will understand it—and that’s okay.

When to Bring in a Professional Editor

There comes a point where your story is ready for the next level of support, but timing matters.

Before you look for a professional editor, I want you to spend time with your manuscript.

Not just one draft.

I often say: Give yourself at least five drafts.

In those drafts, begin asking yourself questions like:

• Who is the hero in my story?
• Is the child leading the journey?
• Do I have a strong and engaging beginning?
• Does the ending feel complete and satisfying?

This is your self-editing stage.

Once you’ve worked through that process, then it becomes incredibly valuable to bring in a professional children’s book editor.

An editor can:

• identify what’s working
• highlight where to strengthen your story
• offer direction you may not see on your own

This step is important if you want your book to be one children return to again and again.

There are two patterns I often see:

• Sending a manuscript too early
• Holding onto it for too long

If you recognize yourself in either, simply take the next step forward. 

There is a right moment where your story is ready to be supported—and not perfected.

If you’re questioning whether your idea is a good children's book idea, I want to offer you this:

Your story does not need to be extraordinary to be meaningful.

It simply needs to reach a child.

To reflect something they feel. To help them understand something new. To bring them comfort, joy, or courage.

That is more than enough.

If you’re wondering how to move forward from here, here is a simple path:

• Choose a main character within your target age group
• Identify a problem that feels real to that child
• Focus on connection over complexity
• Keep writing, even when it feels slow
• Use short writing sessions to regain momentum
• Revisit your original inspiration when you feel stuck
• Seek feedback from other children’s book authors
• Work through multiple drafts before hiring an editor
• Invite a professional editor in at the right stage

I know how easy it is to question your idea before it’s fully formed. How to know if your children's book idea is good?

So let me leave you with this:

You do not need to wait for certainty. You do not need to have all the answers.

You only need to take the next step.

Your story is allowed to grow as you write it.

And I believe it’s worth continuing.