Writing a preface for a children's book involves crafting a brief, engaging introduction primarily for adult readers, such as parents, educators, and librarians, offering insights into the book's creation or purpose without revealing essential plot details. Unlike a children's story itself, the preface speaks to the grown-ups who select books for young readers, providing context and an author's personal touch.
What is a Children's Book Preface?
A preface in a children's book serves as an author's note or an introductory message located at the beginning of the book, before the main story. Its primary audience is the adults who will purchase or read the book aloud, rather than the child reader. It's an opportunity for the author to connect with these gatekeepers, sharing the inspiration, message, or unique journey behind the book's creation.
Why Write a Preface for a Children's Book?
While many readers, especially children, often skip prefaces, they can be a valuable tool for authors to:
- Share Inspiration: Explain what motivated the story.
- Highlight Educational Value: Point out themes, lessons, or discussion points.
- Build Connection: Offer a personal glimpse into the author's world or passion.
- Provide Context: Give background on the book's topic or setting.
- Express Gratitude: Thank those who helped in the book's creation.
For more on literary terms, you can explore resources like Literary Devices.
Key Elements to Include in Your Preface
When writing your preface, focus on sharing truly interesting facts about the book's journey or your inspiration. Remember to make it supplemental; don't include anything that the reader absolutely needs to understand your book's topic, as many readers will skip it.
- Inspiration Behind the Story: What sparked the idea? Was it a personal experience, a memory, or a curiosity about a particular topic?
- Example: "This story was born from countless hours spent watching my own children discover the magic of their backyard garden, marveling at every tiny insect."
- The Book's Core Message or Theme: Briefly touch upon the underlying lesson or value the book aims to impart. This is particularly appealing to parents and educators looking for books with positive messages.
- Example: "Through Leo the Lion's journey, I hope young readers discover the power of kindness and the joy of embracing what makes them unique."
- Personal Connection: Share a brief, relatable anecdote about your life that connects to the book. This adds a human element and makes the author more accessible.
- Example: "Like the brave little squirrel in these pages, I too once felt shy about trying new things, but learned that courage often hides in the most unexpected places."
- Target Audience & Age Appropriateness (Optional but helpful): If your book has specific educational goals or is aimed at a very narrow age range, you might briefly mention this.
- A Call to Imagination: Encourage adults to engage with the story alongside their children, fostering discussion and wonder.
Practical Insights for Content
| Element | What to Include | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Engaging, supplementary facts about creation or inspiration. | Essential plot details, character introductions crucial for understanding the story. |
| Tone | Warm, inviting, personal, professional. | Overly academic, dry, preachy, or excessively self-promotional. |
| Length | Concise, typically one to two paragraphs. | Long, rambling essays that lose the reader's attention. |
| Audience | Primarily adults (parents, teachers, librarians). | Direct address to children (that's for the main story). |
| Information | Interesting anecdotes, the "why" behind the story, message, or unique writing process. | Complex technical jargon, obscure literary analysis, or anything critical to the plot. |
How to Structure Your Preface
Keep it short and to the point. Most prefaces for children's books are no more than one or two paragraphs.
- Opening Hook: Start with a sentence that immediately grabs the adult reader's attention and hints at the book's theme or inspiration.
- Elaborate on Inspiration/Message: Briefly expand on why you wrote the book and what you hope readers will take away from it. This is where you can share some of the truly interesting facts about the book's creation or your journey as a writer.
- Closing Thought: End with a warm, encouraging message, perhaps inviting readers to enjoy the story with their children.
Tips for Success
- Keep it Concise: Adults have limited time, and if they choose to read the preface, they appreciate brevity.
- Maintain an Authentic Voice: Let your personality shine through. Be genuine and heartfelt.
- Proofread Carefully: Just like the rest of your book, the preface should be polished and error-free.
- Place It Correctly: A preface typically appears after the title page and copyright page but before the table of contents (if any) and the beginning of the story.
- Consider an "Author's Note" Title: For children's books, sometimes "A Note from the Author" or "Dear Reader" can feel more inviting than "Preface."
For more general advice on writing, explore resources from organizations like the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Remember, the goal is to enhance the reader's experience and provide a little extra insight for the adults, without making the preface a requirement for enjoying the main story.
