# Children's Book Publishing Services That Bring Stories to Life > Children's book publishing services: layout, printing, KDP and IngramSpark setup and distribution for picture books and early readers. Free quote. Source: https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/childrens-book-publishing/ Publisher: The Author Publishing Last updated: 2026-10-25 --- Our children's book publishing services take your story and illustrations through layout, printing, setup and distribution, so you can publish your children's book in print and digital formats and keep your rights. We guide first-time authors through every step and every format. Children's books have their own rules, from page counts and trim sizes to the cost of full-colour printing. This service is part of our [book publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/). ## Publish my children's book: what happens 1. **Check what you have.** We review your text and illustrations and tell you what is still needed. 2. **Layout.** We place the text and artwork on each page and set the trim size and page count. 3. **Choose formats and printers.** You choose paperback, hardcover and digital editions. 4. **Proofs.** We order or prepare proofs so you can see the finished pages. 5. **Publish and launch.** We set up the book and help you plan its release. ## Self publish a children's book: formats and page counts Picture books often run to around 32 pages with short text, and board books, early readers and chapter books have different lengths and layouts. Print on demand services offer a range of trim sizes, including square and portrait formats, and hardcovers are popular for gifts. An illustrated eBook usually needs a fixed layout, so the pictures and text stay in place, and we prepare it separately from the print edition. ## Children's book publishers for new authors: how self-publishing compares Traditional publishers choose the illustrator and manage the process, but acceptance is competitive and the wait can be long. Self-publishing lets you publish sooner and decide how the book looks and sells, but you take on the cost of illustration and printing. If you want more control and to keep your rights, self-publishing with professional help is a strong choice. ## Printing costs and pricing Colour interiors cost more to print than black and white ones, and printing cost depends on trim size, page count and paper. Your list price has to cover that cost and still leave you a royalty. We help you choose a price that works for parents and for you. ## Illustration and design Pictures carry a children's book, so illustration and layout matter as much as the text. See our [book illustration services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-illustration/), [book cover design services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-cover-design/) and [book formatting services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-formatting/). ## Formats and page counts for children’s books Picture books are often produced in multiples of eight pages, with 32 pages a common length, because of how printed sheets fold. Board books for toddlers are shorter and sturdier, and early readers and chapter books use more text and fewer pictures. The format affects the story, the artwork and the cost, so we choose it with you before illustration begins. This avoids the difficulty of fitting a story to the wrong page count later. ## Read-aloud design and printing quality Children’s books are shared aloud, held by small hands and often dropped, so design and print quality matter. Type should be large and clear, with good contrast on the page. Colour should look rich without being harsh. Paper and binding should last through repeated use. Printing rules for children’s products can differ by country, so we recommend reputable printers and explain what to check. ## Selling your children’s book Children’s books sell through online stores, schools, libraries, gift shops and events. Each channel has different needs: libraries and schools like clear age ranges and reviews, and gift shops like attractive covers and sensible prices. We help you prepare a one-page sales sheet and a short reader guide, and we plan how to sell directly and through distribution, with a view to the ages your book suits. ## Reviews, libraries and schools Parents, teachers and librarians trust recommendations. Early reviews from educators, clear age guidance and a short teaching or discussion guide can help a book reach classrooms. Libraries often order through wholesale catalogues, so good metadata and distribution matter. We prepare a short guide for each audience and help you plan outreach that is polite and focused. ## Questions about children's book publishing ### Do I need an illustrator before I publish? Most children's books need illustrations, so yes. If you do not have an illustrator, we can match you with one through our design team. ### Can I sell my children's book on Amazon and in bookstores? Yes. Amazon is reached through our [Amazon paperback and hardcover publishing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/amazon-publishing/paperback-hardcover-publishing/), and bookstores and libraries through [IngramSpark](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-distribution/ingramspark/). ### Do I need an ISBN? Print books need one for most bookstore and library sales. We explain your options and guide you through it. ### How much does it cost to publish a children's book? The price depends on page count, illustration, formats and the services you choose. Tell us about your book and we send a free quote with a fixed price. ### How long does it take? Once the text and illustrations are final, layout and setup typically take a few weeks. Your quote lists the timeline. ### Do I need an illustrator to publish? Picture books almost always need illustration. We can match you with an illustrator. See [children’s book illustration](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/childrens-book-illustration/). ### What age group should I choose? We help you decide based on your story, the length and the vocabulary. Choosing clearly helps readers and booksellers. ### Can I publish a rhyming book? Yes. Rhyme must be strong and natural, and we tell you honestly if it needs work. ### Can I get my book into schools? Schools buy through many routes. A clear age range, a teaching guide and a friendly local approach often help. ### How long should a picture book be? Many picture books have fewer than a thousand words, because the pictures carry part of the story, and shorter texts also read well aloud. We review your word count against the age group and the page count, and advise where to trim or expand the story. ## Related services - [Book publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/) - [Book illustration services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-illustration/) - [Book formatting services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-formatting/) - [Self publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/self-publishing/) ## Why authors work with us - You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts - You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts - You approve every file before it moves to the next step - One project manager keeps you informed at every stage