As you may know, I’m about to publish Runaway Smile, my first children’s book. Which makes this excellent post by Diane Robinson, author of the Sir Princess Petra award-winning series particularly interesting to me. Enjoy!
Point Of View In Writing For Children
Illustrations by Samantha Kickingbird
Point of view, or viewpoint, can be a confusing aspect of writing for many writers at the best of times. In writing for children, there are some stricter rules on the subject.
There are several different viewpoint techniques in writing, but in writing for children, the viewpoints that are acceptable in modern writing are limited to a few and the viewpoint in writing for younger children is always limited to only one character’s point of view.
Children relate to the point of view character in the story, so making it clear who is telling the story at the beginning of your story is very important.
Viewpoint is basically divided into objective and subjective.
Objective
The objective narrator only reports what can be seen and heard, like a camera, and does not get inside the character’s head to interpret any feelings or thoughts of the character. Young picture books are written in this style where the illustrations would show the emotions of the character.
Subjective
Subjective narrations is described as having all five senses through the character. This is the most common form of narrations in children book writing and is further divided into four categories:
First Person viewpoint
The viewpoint of the story is through the main character using their own words and the pronouns I, me, myself. First person viewpoint can be a straightforward telling of the story or in the form of a letter or diary.
This viewpoint gives a personal account of the main character’s thoughts and feelings, whether right or wrong, and connects the reader quickly to the main character. The problem with first person viewpoint is the frequent use of the word “I”, which can become intrusive.
First person narrative is best told in the present tense so that the reader feels the character is telling the story and not the writer. You must know your character very well and limit all thoughts and feelings to the character.
This viewpoint is not usually used in books for younger children.
Third Person Limited Viewpoint
Third person viewpoint is similar to first person viewpoint in that the writer is inside the character’s head. The story is told through the main character’s senses using the pronouns he, she, they, etc. and the story is told by only showing the main character’s experience–the main character must be in all scenes.
This viewpoint gives the feeling that the story is unfolding and not being told, as in first-person viewpoint. . Writing in this perspective allows the writer to keep their own prose style, and to interpret the character’s behavior while still offering depth of emotion. Third person limited viewpoint is the most common form of writing children stories as it is the least obtrusive viewpoint; allowing the best reader involvement.
Third Person Multiple viewpoint
This viewpoint is written through more than one character’s perspective. Either two or three (maximum) characters are relating the story through their thoughts, feelings and experiences. This type of viewpoint is used when writing for older readers. The different character’s views are usually divided into different chapters or with page breaks so as not to confuse the reader.
The purpose for using third person multiple viewpoint would be to let the reader experience two different sides of the bigger picture within the story, and decide for himself which character is right if either of them are at all.
Third Person Omniscient
The narrator knows and sees all, like he is floating above the story in a Godlike manner; he sees all events, knows all the thoughts of all the characters, and can even look into the future.
This type of viewpoint is most often used in fables, fairy tales, and read-a-loud picture books.
Third person omniscient does tend to distance the reader from the story as the reader doesn’t feel that he knows or cares about any one character better than the other.
There are several other points of views with variations and combinations used in writing, but when writing for children it is best to stick to the simpler point of views listed here.
When a child hears or reads a story and feels like they have experienced it along with the main character, then you have done your best writing.
Who is Diane Robinson?
Illustrations by Samantha Kickingbird
Diane lives in a small hilltop castle nestled amongst a very old and magical forest in Alberta, Canada. In this mystical forest, all the fantasy creatures one can imagine live and audition for parts in the author’s next book. Diane has a journalism diploma from the Schools of Montreal and an advanced diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut.
The author also teaches private art lessons, is a writing instructor at the Creative Writing Institute, and was recently a judge in an international short story contest. She is currently working on her 3rd book in her children’s fantasy adventure series, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission – The Pen Pieyu Adventures, and a easy-to-understand grammar book for children with a fantasy theme.
Book Awards:
Sir Princess Petra – The Pen Pieyu Adventures (book one)
- 2012 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award (Literary Arts).
- 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Award, First Runner Up in the in the Children’s Chapter Book category.
- 2013 Reader’s Favorite International Book Awards, Honorable Mention, Grade K – 3rd.
- 2013 Sharp Writ Book Awards. 1st place, Children’s Books.
Sir Princess Petra’s Talent – The Pen Pieyu Adventures (book two)
- 2014 Reader’s Favorite International Book Awards, Bronze Medal, Grade 4 – 6th
Connect with Diane
Visit Diane’s author’s website for her adventure kids books, reviews, free teacher’s grade 4 lesson plan and a Kids page: www.dragonsbook.com
this is deep, detailed and wonderful elements has been notified…
Thank you, Mihran 🙂
I have written four children’s books, not sure if they will get published but two of them had purpose. One was used at a battered women’s shelter as a way to open discussion about appropriate and inappropriate touches with young children. I was a child advocate there. The second was used at an ecumenical peace camp where five churches created curriculum. I used my book about showing thankfulness to God in many ways as a black and white “book” to color in. Each child took them home!
I appreciate the point of view lessons and suggestions generously given by Diane Mae Robinson. ? ~ Robin
Such wonderful initiatives! I’m in awe of your ability to put your gift to such good use.
This is a great article. I love writing for children, and I can easily spend hours reading children’s books.
I know what you mean. Thanks and welcome 🙂
Thanks for posting this very interesting piece on viewpoint. Reblogging on BookChat
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT.
Thanks for the introduction to this writer, Nicholas. I tried to write a story for children about cats, but discovered it was HARD, and ended up crafting it for adults and posting it recently, since I had no idea where it could be submitted! I think it takes a real talent to write children’s books. Kudos to Diane and also to you on your upcoming publication.
Hi noelleq44,
For sure, it does take some hard work and studying children’s lit to write a good children’s book. I studied children’s lit for 6 years by correspondence college courses, and still there are things to learn from the masters. I teach a 6 week course on writing for children at the Creative Writing Institute if you are interested.
Thanks! Writing is probably quite Darwinian: you just have to find what your best fit is. I find it easier to write for children than for adults, while you’re the other way around. 🙂
Congratulations! Your zest and verve amazes me.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise! and commented:
A golden oldie but STILL a goodie topic to read and learn about 😀
Hi, Nicholas. Thanks for following my blog (aletakay.wordpress.com) and for this post on viewpoint. I’ve written two novels and a couple of children’s books. Children’s books not published yet. Will go back over to make sure pov is correct and consistent.
Many thanks, Nicholas for introducing me to Diane and her tales. I look forward to discovering her marvelous sounding world.
And Diane, congratulations on your brilliant accomplishments! What an achievement and honor to show for your literary efforts. I wish you much more of the same in your future endeavors.
Cheers!
That’s such a kind thing to say, thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much, Nicholas,for having me on your blog. I appreciate it. Wishing you much success with your writing. Take care.
It was a pleasure having you over! 🙂
Hi peakperspective,
Thank you for you kind words. Wishing you well.
I love children’s books and feel they are more difficult to write. 😛
That’s so strange; writing them feels so easy to me, that I thought it was the same for everyone! Thanks for suggesting otherwise. Perhaps I should focus more there.
important blog with great questions. Your style of introducing this topic created positive dialogue!
Thanks, dude! 🙂