When it comes to word counts and target ages for picture books (especially nonfiction), I caution writers not to subscribe to hard and fast limitations. Whenever I teach a course on writing for children, I go over the so-called “rules” of writing, and then the many, many exceptions. Picture Book Word Count & Age Guide (and When to Forget the Rules) But what if you’re looking for some guidelines? Here are some rules (and exceptions, of course) I use in my teaching. Above all, picture books provide a visual format that is less intimidating than other formats, they appeal to visual learners or English Language Learners, and picture books offer higher success rates in terms of the number of students in a class who will be able to complete and engage with that book (as opposed to longer novels). The range of choice now offered in trade STEM/STEAM nonfiction and informational fiction picture books allows teachers to be successful in reaching a broad range of kids-especially hooking that reluctant reader. Historical picture books or ones rooted in extremely weird or offbeat science offer “windows” that allow kids or teens to escape their reality or expand their limited experience. Picture books provide illustrated “mirrors” or characters and subjects that connect directly to their lives and cultures. Some teachers have begun labeling picture books as “E for Everyone.” As a former teacher, I like this approach.

My picture books have ranged from 147 words to 1,400 words. In fact, some of my STEM books-such as One Plastic Bag or Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born-continuously draw letters from grandparents and retired teachers who remark that they bought or pre-ordered a copy for themselves or as a gift for another adult in their lives.

YES! Contrary to what you may have heard, not all picture books are (or should be) geared toward the youngest listeners. How can that be? Pre-teens reading a picture book?! At several schools, we didn’t even stop to see the Kindergartners or first graders! In fact, we’ve spoken to hundreds of middle schoolers about our new picture book I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement.

I’m currently on a book tour for my new 32-page picture book-the type of book that the Internet, most agents, and editors typically say should be “geared toward 4-8 year-olds.” But 75% of our tour stops are engaging with kids ages 8-12, or grades 2-6.

Night page count