The book · by Punita Rice
Write & Self-Publish a Children’s Book in 7 Days
A simple step-by-step guide for parents to write, format, and publish a beautiful book, using Canva and Amazon KDP.
Kindle and paperback · Plus free fiction and nonfiction planning templates, further down this page
Write & Self-Publish a Children's Book
In 7 Days
(Psst... Looking for free downloads? Click here!)
Want to create something unique for your children?
Do you have an idea for a story and want to turn it into a beautiful children’s book?
Do you want to express your creativity in a whole new way?
You can easily write and self-publish a children’s book for your own children, and you don’t need a publisher, an illustrator, or months of struggle to bring your story to life.
(All you need is your laptop and internet access.)
Why Make a Children’s Book for Your Child?
When my oldest was a toddler, I made him a book about a bunny who’s afraid of going to swim class (because he, like my son in real life, got water in his eyes). We read it over and over. At nine, he still pulls it out from time to time.
Whether you want to create a personalized bedtime story, a book about a special memory, or even a collection of their drawings turned into a real book; whether you’re a parent creating a keepsake book for your child or an aspiring author looking for a beginner-friendly publishing process, this book will show you exactly what to do, from start to finish.
Whether you want to create a personalized bedtime story, a book about a special memory, or even a collection of their drawings turned into a real book; whether you’re a parent creating a keepsake book for your child or an aspiring author looking for a beginner-friendly publishing process, this book will show you exactly what to do, from start to finish.
Some reasons why parents, grandparents, and caregivers might want to create a custom book:
A keepsake that lasts – Most things you make with (or for) your kids get forgotten. A book gets read over and over, becomes part of bedtime, and years later it’s still in their hands.
Truly theirs – About their interests, their experiences, or starring a version of them, it’s something made just for them.
Encourage a love of reading – Kids love seeing themselves in books, and a personalized story makes reading even more exciting.
It shows them where stories come from – Watching you write, design, and publish a book shows kids that books are made by people, not just bought in stores.
It teaches them they can do it too – Once they see you make a book, they know they can make one too. Your book might lead to theirs.
It’s easier than you think – With free tools like Canva and Amazon KDP, you can format and print your own book at little to no cost.
It’s fun – Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to do it again, and the next book goes faster.
Truly theirs – About their interests, their experiences, or starring a version of them, it’s something made just for them.
Encourage a love of reading – Kids love seeing themselves in books, and a personalized story makes reading even more exciting.
It shows them where stories come from – Watching you write, design, and publish a book shows kids that books are made by people, not just bought in stores.
It teaches them they can do it too – Once they see you make a book, they know they can make one too. Your book might lead to theirs.
It’s easier than you think – With free tools like Canva and Amazon KDP, you can format and print your own book at little to no cost.
It’s fun – Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to do it again, and the next book goes faster.
Get the book
How to Write and Self-Publish a Children’s Book in One Week
Creating a simple children’s book for your own kids doesn’t have to take months.
Creating a simple children’s book for your own kids doesn’t have to take months. If you follow a simple step-by-step process, you can have a fully written, formatted, and published book in just seven days.
Get the book
Want every step in detail?
Everything this guide skims, the book walks you through
- Seven days, one step at a time, from first idea to a printed book in your hands
- Ways to make the art even if you don’t draw, including completely free options
- Laying out your pages and designing your cover in Canva
- Amazon KDP, screen by screen: the settings, the upload, and your author copies
- The fiction and nonfiction planning templates
What readers say
“It’s a simplified version of those online courses people sell for thousands of dollars, except the book explains it in easy to follow steps.”
Sarah · Amazon review
“This book was so helpful in demystifying the process and encouraging me to turn my concepts into reality.”
Priska · Amazon review
“It breaks everything down step by step, including how to even get started with the free tools like Canva and even how to make an account with KDP.”
RP · Amazon review
“Punita provides a practical, organized, and succinct approach to empower others as they seek to bring their own children’s book to life.”
Whitney · Amazon review
“Punita’s book is an actionable guide that is short and sweet, easy to read, and oh so helpful.”
Crystal · Amazon review
“I’ve been intimidated by Canva mostly so I am glad that is included!”
Andrea · Amazon review
Day 1: Brainstorm Your Story Idea
Start with a concept that excites you.
Think about what your child loves (animals, adventures, or their favorite hobbies, etc). If you need inspiration, try:
A story featuring your child as the main character
A simple lesson or moral wrapped in a fun adventure
A book inspired by their drawings or real-life experiences
A story featuring your child as the main character
A simple lesson or moral wrapped in a fun adventure
A book inspired by their drawings or real-life experiences
Get the book
Day 2: Write the Text
Once you have an idea, sketch out the basic structure.
For fiction, you’ll outline your story.
For non-fiction, you’ll plan out the presentation of information.
Keep the language simple and engaging. If your child is old enough, involve them in the brainstorming process. Write naturally, keeping your own children's ages in mind.
If possible, get feedback from someone else—another parent, a teacher, or even your child.
For non-fiction, you’ll plan out the presentation of information.
Keep the language simple and engaging. If your child is old enough, involve them in the brainstorming process. Write naturally, keeping your own children's ages in mind.
If possible, get feedback from someone else—another parent, a teacher, or even your child.
Get the book
Day 3: Make the Art
Create or Source your Art
In my book, I walk through a variety of approaches you can take to create the art for your book, including options that are completely free.
You can also hire an illustrator, use stock images, or even use your child’s art.
Remember that "7 days" is just a guideline—you can decide to stretch out each "day" or step as much as you'd like.
You can also hire an illustrator, use stock images, or even use your child’s art.
Remember that "7 days" is just a guideline—you can decide to stretch out each "day" or step as much as you'd like.
Get the book
Day 4: Put the Text & Art Together
You can use Canva to create something great.
Even if you’re not an illustrator, you can still create a professional-looking book. Canva has free templates, fonts, and images to help you design a beautiful layout.
Key design tips:
Use a large, easy-to-read font
Keep plenty of white space to make reading easier
Make sure images match the tone of your story
Key design tips:
Use a large, easy-to-read font
Keep plenty of white space to make reading easier
Make sure images match the tone of your story
Get the book
Day 5: Design Your Cover
Design your cover in Canva and KDP
You can create a professional-looking cover. Canva has free templates, fonts, and images to help you design a beautiful cover.
Three basic approaches:
Design entirely within KDP’s cover creator
Design with Canva + KDP
Go fully custom with Canva
Three basic approaches:
Design entirely within KDP’s cover creator
Design with Canva + KDP
Go fully custom with Canva
Get the book
Day 6: Upload to Amazon KDP
Select sizing and upload to KDP
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) lets you print (and sell if you want) your book with no upfront costs. Once your book is formatted, upload it to KDP, choose your book size, and set a price.
You can order author copies at cost, so you’ll have a real printed book in your hands.
You can order author copies at cost, so you’ll have a real printed book in your hands.
Get the book
Day 7: Print, share, publish (optional!)
Print, share, and optionally publish
Once your book is live on Amazon (if you decide to make it available), you can share it with family and friends. You can also list it for sale if you want other parents to find it.
Even if you don’t plan to sell copies, having a professionally printed book that you created is meaningful.
Even if you don’t plan to sell copies, having a professionally printed book that you created is meaningful.
Get the book
Will it really only take 7 days?
It can! BUT you can also treat each "day" as a step in the process, and take as long as you'd need.
For example, you might decide to spend months on creating the art, or on refining the writing.
But it can be done in 7 easy "steps" which can be condensed into individual days.
For example, you might decide to spend months on creating the art, or on refining the writing.
But it can be done in 7 easy "steps" which can be condensed into individual days.
Is This Guide for You?
Write & Self-Publish a Children’s Book in 7 Days is a simple, step-by-step guide that walks parents through writing, formatting, illustrating, and publishing your own book on Amazon KDP without the overwhelm, so you can go from idea to finished book quickly and without stress.
Writing a book for your child is one of the most rewarding creative projects you can take on.
It doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s something made with love for your own kids.
And once you go through the process once,
you’ll know exactly how to do it again anytime you want to create a new book for them.
Get the book