Write the books you want to read.

As a mother, I am always on the lookout for books that my children and I can enjoy together. But, to be honest, I tend to be drawn to books that I want to read as well. I believe that when I am excited about a story or illustration, it shows in my engagement with my children, and it makes the experience of reading together that much more enjoyable.

So, when it came time for me to write my own children's book, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: I wanted to write the book that I wanted to read with my children. I wanted to create something that would be both beautiful and engaging, with a story that would captivate both children and adults.

I started by thinking about the stories that I loved as a child. I remembered the sense of wonder and magic that I felt as I read books like "The Secret Garden" and "Alice in Wonderland." I wanted to capture that feeling in my own book, while still making it accessible and relatable to modern children.

Next, I thought about the illustrations. I am a visual person, and I know that my children are too. I wanted the illustrations to be beautiful and captivating, with enough detail to keep children engaged, but not so much that they would be overwhelmed or distracted.

Once I had a clear vision for the story and illustrations, I started writing. I focused on creating a story that would be both fun and meaningful, with characters that children could relate to and learn from. I also made sure to incorporate elements of humor and adventure, because I know that those are the things that my children and I both love in a story.

Finally, I worked with an illustrator to bring my vision to life. Together, we created illustrations that were both beautiful and engaging, with just the right amount of detail and color to capture the imagination of young readers.

The result was a book that I am proud to read with my children. It is a story that we all love, with illustrations that we can't get enough of. And, best of all, it is a book that I enjoy just as much as my children do.

So, if you are thinking about writing a children's book, my advice is simple: write the book that you want to read. Think about the stories and illustrations that excite you, and focus on creating something that will captivate both children and adults. Trust me, when you are excited about a story, it shows in your engagement with your children, and it makes the experience of reading together that much more enjoyable.

xoxo

Ashley