WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS TIP #3: KNOW YOUR ONIONS, well, GENRES
Let’s talk about genres. Children’s books have been divided into so many genres and categories that it is so hard to keep up. But here are the major ones.
NB: This post features children’s books by Nigerian authors.
GENRES*
Picture Books
Heavily illustrated; ages 3 – 8; 100 – 1000 words
Greatest Animal in the Jungle by Sope Martins
Juba and the Fireball by Yejide Kilanko
Mayowa and the Masquerades by Lola Shoneyin
Early Chapter Books
Illustrated; ages 4/5 – 8; 1000 – 3000 words
Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke
Feyi Fay and the Mysterious Madam Koi Koi by Simisayo Brownstone
Chapter books
Few Illustrations; ages 6 – 9; 5000 – 20,000 words
Mafoya and the Finish Line by Ayo Oyeku
Middle Grade:
Rarely illustrated; ages 8 – 12; 25,000 – 50,000
A-Files by Victoria Afe Inegbedion
Akata Witch/What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okoroafor
Mirror on the Wall by Jesutofunmi Fekoya
Young Adult
Almost never illustrated; ages 13+ ; 40,000 – 100,000 words
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi
Other genres:
Concept Books
Diary of a Toddler by Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi
Plays
Mouth Almighty by Salihah Agbaje
Graphic Novels
Anike Eleko by Sandra Joubeaud and Alaba Onajin
Comics
1897: Okiojo’s Chronicles Series
Nonfiction*
My Nigeria, Peoples, Places and Culture by Constance Omawumi Kola-Lawal
Social Justice Books
Eno’s Story by Ayodele Olofintuade
The Red Transistor Radio by Fatima Akilu
OTHER CATEGORIES
Action/Adventure
Ginika’s Adventures by Nnenna Ochiche
The Adventures of Obi and Titi: Queen Idia’s Mask
Series
Illesanmi Twins Series. Book #1 Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge by Dunni Olatunde
Half Hour Hara Series. Book #1 The Case of the Broken Eggs by Ugo Anidi
Science Fiction
Zahra the Windseeker by Nnedi Okoroafor
Folktales/Fairytales
Folktales are Forever by Efe Farinre
Biographies
Idia of the Benin kingdom by Ekiuwa Aire
Please note: This list is by no means exhaustive!
- Action: Get a library subscription
Try Bookworm Café. This outfit specializes only in children’s books and its Director is a children’s literature connoisseur.
Try ZODML, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries too!
OR
Be like me, buy every single book on this list … AND MORE 😊
2. Read.
Read 2 to 3 books in each genre to determine which one appeals to you😊
Then when you find your niche, read as many books as possible in that genre. Good luck!
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*post on nonfiction coming soon
photo credit: thebookwormcafe.com
U G O . . . .A N I D I 
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