Ever sit down to write a children’s story and freeze? You’ve got an idea, maybe even a funny character, but the words don’t want to line up.
Here’s a shortcut: think of your story like a song.
Songs rise and fall, they repeat, they surprise, and then they end on a note that sticks. Children’s stories work the same way. You don’t need scriptwriting jargon or a dozen “secret formulas.” You just need rhythm.
Let’s use an old trickster tale as our example — Xieng Mieng, the mischievous little monk, who once convinced his head teacher at the monastery to lick chicken poop. (Yep, it’s a real folktale.)
1. Big Bang
Start with something that makes the reader say, Wait, what?
Xieng Mieng spots fresh chicken poop near the temple and immediately hatches a plan. That’s a Big Bang.
2. Quiet Talk
Slow things down. Let the character plot, worry, or pretend to be innocent.
Xieng acts all serious and whispers, “Teacher, this isn’t poop, it’s medicine from the heavens.”
3. Big Moment
Here’s your chorus — the part the kids will repeat back to you.
The head teacher leans closer, curious, and Xieng dares him: “Just one lick and you’ll live forever.”
4. Surprise
Now comes the twist. The head teacher actually does it. He licks the chicken poop. Yikes.
The shock makes kids laugh and gasp at the same time.
5. Rush
Everything speeds up. The teacher sputters, the other monks laugh, Xieng pretends to be shocked too, like he didn’t expect it to work. Chaos.
6. Soft Ending
Finally, calm it down. Give the reader a gentle landing.
The head teacher storms off, humiliated, and Xieng sneaks away grinning. The story ends with a wink.
The Foundations (why it works)
- A character kids care about (even if he’s a rascal).
- A want (Xieng wants to outsmart authority).
- An obstacle (the head teacher’s pride).
- A change (the teacher gets tricked, Xieng gets away).
- A feeling (mischief, laughter, relief).
You don’t have to hit all six beats every time. Some picture books are just Big Bang → Big Moment → Soft Ending. Others run through the whole “song.”
The point isn’t to follow rules. The point is rhythm. If you give your story a beat, kids will dance along, whether it’s a bedtime giggle or a folktale about a clever monk with way too much free time.