Three Lessons I Learned Writing a Children’s Book
#2: Selling joy is a noble profession
From CinderToot, Art by Kate Cosgrove
“You have to read this book I just checked out from the library,” my wife said.
My wife’s last two book recommendations were The Martian and Orphan X. I loved them both. But I don’t read fiction much, as I read all day as a lawyer and have a stack of nonfiction books waiting for me to find time between being a husband, dad, lawyer, producer, writer, and professor. But when she mentioned a new recommendation, she had my attention.
“I just read the book to the kids. They loved it. You really need to read it. I know you would love it.”
Wait. It’s a children’s book?
“Yes, it’s a children’s book. But you would love it. I have to return it by Wednesday, so try to read it before then.”
I didn’t read it. I was busy.
The Legend
Around a month later, I was putting my oldest child to bed. Next to his bed was the book he wanted to read.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
The title intrigued me. Sure, I’ll read it to my 8-year-old son, if that’s what he wants to read.
I was not prepared for how much I would like this book. It was hilarious. It was fun. The story was engaging. It wasn’t too long or too short. The illustrations weren’t just drawings of what happened in the story — they commented on and added to the story. There were extra jokes in the illustrations you had to find in addition to the humor of the story. The book was a masterpiece. I was in love.
I couldn’t wait to tell my wife.
“Hey, have you read that Legend of Rock Paper Scissors book yet? That book is incredible. It might be my new favorite book. Not my favorite children’s book — my new favorite book, period.”
She gave me a look that instantly tells me she is four steps ahead of me at all times. She replied, “Of course you like that book. That’s the children’s book that I told you to read. I checked it out again so you could read it and put it on Max’s bed.”
Again, my wife proved she knows me better than I know myself.
Of course, I bought the book immediately, as I wanted to support this incredible author and artist, both of whom I had never met. Anyone who could create such an artistic masterpiece of fun and joy I immensely respected and wanted to support. I re-read the book many times over the next few weeks. I was captivated by how much I loved the book. Every time I read it, I enjoyed it.
Not long after, I had a realization. The book inspired me to capture some of the stories I told my kids and create my own children’s book. I asked my kids which of the stories that I made up and told them is the best. They all picked the same one.
The book is called CinderToot. It’s the traditional story of Cinderella, except that instead of Cinderella losing her glass slipper and the prince having to find the foot that fits the slipper, she actually passes gas (toots) as the clock strikes midnight. The only way that the prince has to find her is to ask all the maidens in the kingdom to toot — so the prince can find the toot of his true love.
Yes, I wrote a fart book. And CinderToot is hilarious. In the process, though, I learned three incredible lessons that I have to share. You may never think of children’s books the same way again.
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1. Children’s Books are an Incredible Art Form
There is a difference between art and everything else. If it’s art, then it’s worth studying. It’s worth learning about. It’s worth watching or viewing over and over again. If it’s not “art” then why bother?
There is a difference between my home videos and my favorite film. I’m the only one interested in videos of my kids, but millions are interested in the best films.
Maybe my years studying film, both in college and attending film school, had distorted my view of art. I only studied what everyone else said was the best. I watched 48 of the 53 Hitchcock films (that’s all I could find). I binge watch directors I like: Kurosawa, Kubrick, Gilliam, and others. It’s because they create “art” while everyone else is just making movies.
For years I discounted children’s books. As a new dad, I wasn’t impressed by the books people bought for our kids as gifts. They seemed too simplistic. Too childish. One was a list of textures. Another was a book version of peek-a-boo. I wondered how much creativity it takes to create those kinds of books. I kind of settled into my opinion that the best books — works of true art — wouldn’t be available to my children until they were much older.
I was wrong.
I now realize that there are incredible artists creating amazing art — for children. I just didn’t see what was right in front of me. As I wrote my own story, I realized that a short story is often harder to write than a long one. I had to think so carefully about every word choice. Even though my book for children is short, the editor I hired marked up my first draft like it was a bad term paper.
Then I started having conversations with illustrators. One woman I spoke with told me she had always wanted to be a children’s book illustrator. That was her dream. She was a brilliant artist. She was intentionally creating art for children with her gifts.
I started speaking with friends who had kids — many of them had favorite children’s books. They were passionate about some of the books. I was seriously missing out on some great works of art — children’s books.
I learned I needed to stop judging the form of the art and start enjoying some of the brilliant works of art that are being created for children.
2. Selling Joy Is One of the Best Things You Can Sell
Why would someone buy my book? That’s the question that I had to answer if I were actually going to write and sell a children’s book. I didn’t have a good answer initially. I just knew that I had to write the book.
Thirteen drafts later, I had a draft ready for illustrations. No one had read the manuscript except for my wife and two editors. It was time to send this creation out into the wild.
I sent a copy to one of my best friends. I asked him to read it to his five kids and see what they thought. I waited patiently, as my own children were the only kids who had heard the story. Would other kids laugh? Would they like it?
Later that night, I received a message (copied nearly verbatim).
Just read it to the kids… GREATTTT JOBBB!!!!!
Hysterical laughing… asked kids do you think this could sell… split second two oldest said “yes!”
During it my wife was shouting… gross… what is this… I said Mashni wrote it… she was like what you are kidding… I said nope… she was like what?!?! lollll
And then he ended with this statement that changed how I viewed the book:
Thank you for giving me 30 minutes of pure laughter with my kids.
In that last statement, I found the answer to why someone would buy my book. I was not selling a book anymore. I was not selling physical paper or a Kindle file. I was not even selling a story. When you sit down to read my story, you will laugh. Your kids will laugh. The laughter will last longer than the book.
What was I selling? I was going to sell 30 minutes of joy with a child. What is that worth? How much would someone pay for that? I know that for me and my own children, it is priceless.
In a world where no one knows what life will look like in a year or even a month, those moments of joy are the best parts of life. I’ve thought for years about different types of businesses I could start and different products I could sell. Right now, though, I’m not sure there is anything else I would rather be selling. By writing CinderToot, I learned that selling joy is one of the best things you could ever sell.
3. Inspiring Kids Is Honorable
I soon asked other people to read the manuscript. At a family gathering, I read the story to my nieces and nephew. I could barely finish as they interrupted with laughter.
I learned something new about writing a children’s book, though, from my niece that day. After I finished the story, she disappeared for a few minutes. When she came back into the room, she had her own paper and pencil and started writing. I asked her what she was doing, and her response floored me.
“I’m writing my own version of CinderToot. I want to write my own children’s book, like you.”
I did not understand how my crazy idea would change my own life, but I did not expect it to change anyone else’s life. I almost teared up as I realized that listening to my story inspired her to create something of her own. I learned that telling my stories could inspire young people, and we need that inspiration more than ever.
What I Learned
I’m only limited by my imagination now, and not by the worries of what others will think or how they will react.
I am excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it to the next book.
Children’s books are an incredible art form.
Selling joy is one of the best things you can sell.
Inspiring children is honorable.
I can’t wait for the lessons I will learn from the next book and others after.
. . .
If you want to read the book CinderToot, check it out here.
. . .
Learn the one lesson that has changed my life more than any other.