AI children’s book writer for picture books, page by page
Picture books look simple, but the text has to fit 32 pages, read aloud well and leave room for the pictures. This prompt has your todo.is agent write a story for your child's age with a page-by-page layout, illustration notes for each spread and an ending that lands, as a Word file and optional illustrated PDF.
The prompt
- Write a children's picture book. The reader's age: [AGE]. Main character: [MAIN CHARACTER]. The story or lesson: [STORY IDEA]. Style: [STYLE]. Lay it out as a standard 32-page picture book with about 14 spreads, and keep the total under [WORD COUNT] words. For each spread give the text and a short illustration note (what the picture shows, so the words don't repeat it). Use a repeated line or pattern kids can join in on, simple words for that age, and a problem the character solves themselves. No preaching at the end. Also suggest 3 titles. Deliver it as a Word file. Then [EXTRA], keeping the character looking the same on every page.
What to change
- [AGE]: e.g. "3-5 years" for picture books, "5-7" for early readers.
- [MAIN CHARACTER]: Who it's about, e.g. "Pip, a small hedgehog who is scared of the dark". You can use your child's name.
- [STORY IDEA]: e.g. "starting at a new school", "sharing a toy", "a new baby sister", or a silly adventure.
- [STYLE]: e.g. "rhyming", "funny with sound words", "calm bedtime story".
- [WORD COUNT]: Most picture books are 300-800 words. Use 500 if unsure.
- [EXTRA]: e.g. "make 4 illustrations in soft watercolor style and a printable PDF", or "record it as an MP3 read-aloud", or "nothing else".
Example result
- Pip and the Very Big Dark
- Age 3-5. About 480 words. Repeated line: "Just a little bit brave."
- Spread 1
- Text: Pip the hedgehog liked mornings. He liked lunches. He did NOT like the dark.
- Picture: Pip at a sunny breakfast, then peeking at the dusky window.
- Spread 2
- Text: Every night, Pip asked for one more lamp. Then two more lamps. Then all the lamps.
- Picture: Pip's burrow glowing like a lighthouse; Mama Hedgehog in sunglasses.
- Spread 3
- Text: "Pip," said Mama, "you only need to be just a little bit brave."
- Picture: Mama kneeling, holding up a tiny thumb and finger.
- Spreads 4-6
- Pip's lamp goes out. He hears a hoot (owl), a rustle (mouse) and a creak (the old oak). Each time he whispers "Just a little bit brave" and takes one step outside to look.
- Picture: each sound shown as big shadowy shapes that turn out to be friendly animals.
- Spreads 7-9
- Owl shows him the stars. Mouse shows him the fireflies. Oak shows him the moon caught in her branches.
- Picture: the dark full of soft light, colors getting warmer.
- Spreads 10-12
- Pip runs home and turns off one lamp himself. Then another. "The dark isn't empty," he says. "It's full of friends."
- Spreads 13-14
- Text: Pip keeps just one small lamp. Not because he's scared. Because it's nice for the fireflies to visit.
- Picture: Pip asleep, a firefly on his windowsill.
- Title options
- • Pip and the Very Big Dark
- • Just a Little Bit Brave
- • Who's in the Dark, Pip?
- Notes for you
- • The repeated line gives kids a part to say out loud
- • Pip solves the problem himself; Mama only gives the words
- • Spreads 4-6 can be cut to 2 spreads for a board book
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your child's age, the main character and the story idea.
- Paste it into todo.is, or send it to your agent on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Your agent writes the spread-by-spread story with illustration notes and a Word file, plus pictures, a PDF or audio if you asked.
- Read it aloud once, then ask for fixes like "simpler words" or "make it rhyme".
Tips for a better result
- Read the draft out loud. If you stumble, a child's parent will too, so ask the agent to smooth that line.
- Leave things for the pictures to say. If the art shows Mama in sunglasses, the text doesn't need to.
- Give the character a clear look in the prompt (colors, clothes, size). AI illustrations can drift between pages, so check each one.
- Ask your agent for a read-aloud MP3 in a gentle voice and you have a bedtime story for nights you're away.
children’s book writer: FAQ
- How many words should a children's picture book have? Most picture books are 300 to 800 words, and many publishers prefer under 600. Board books for toddlers are often under 100.
- How many pages is a picture book? The standard is 32 pages, which leaves about 12 to 14 spreads for the story after the title and copyright pages.
- Can I publish a children's book written with AI? Many self-publishing platforms allow it but ask you to disclose AI-generated content. Rewrite the draft in your own voice and check each platform's current rules before publishing.
- Do I need to write in rhyme? No. Rhyme is hard to do well, and a forced rhyme reads worse than plain prose. Repetition and rhythm often work just as well for young kids.
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