Tish Rabe: How to Write Children’s Books | How I Write

Tish Rabe, a prolific children's book author who has written over 200 titles including 53 Dr. Seuss books, details the specialized craft and business of writing for young audiences. Successful children's literature relies on writing the ending first to ensure a meaningful punchline and utilizing a three-act structure—beginning, middle, and end—to maintain emotional investment. The turning of a page serves as a critical suspense mechanism, while character names like "Amani" (Swahili for peace) are chosen to resonate deeply with specific age groups. Rabe emphasizes the technical rigor of "pure" versus "slant" rhymes and the necessity of reading drafts aloud to identify rhythmic stumbles. Beyond creative tactics, the discussion highlights the logistical complexities of self-publishing, such as the difficulty of matching illustrators to specific tones and the rigorous verification processes required for global distribution platforms like Amazon.