Writing a science book for children often involves distilling complex facts and theories into child-speak.
Writing science books for children is an important undertaking as many aspects of science are constantly changing. There is an ongoing need for information for youngsters and books parents and teachers can use both in the classroom and the home to educate their children on different scientific principles. When writing a book for children, especially a science book, it is important that you understand your target audience and write in a way that children understand.
Instructions
1. Read a variety of science books for children before you even begin. This will help you understand what works and what doesn't when it comes to writing science for children.
2. Study the scientific phenomenon or process you plan to write a book about. Make sure you understand it thoroughly before you attempt to explain it to a young audience.
3. Break down the phenomenon or process into simple language, eliminating extraneous parts that will be difficult for children to understand. You can make the scientific phenomenon or process into a narrative with characters, which is often done in the popular Joanna Cole series, "The Magic School Bus." You can also try to explain the process to a child in your target age range to make sure the the concept is conveyed in wording simple enough for children to grasp.
4. Read your book to children when you feel it is polished enough. Ask them if they feel they understand the process or phenomenon you've described. You can give them a short quiz to see how well they understood the topics or ask them to describe it back to you. Assess your work honestly and decide whether or not this draft of the book accomplished what you wished to do.
5. Revise your book as necessary. Read the book to several groups of children until you feel they understand what you are trying to convey.
6. Draw pictures to go with your book, use photography you've taken or talk to a friend about illustrating the book or providing photographs. Pictures can help children better understand what you are describing.
7. Test the finished product on children once more, and then revise where necessary.
Tags: book children, phenomenon process, understand what, your book, books children
