Today’s children are growing up in a world of instant gratification — often figuring out how tablets and smartphones work before they ever learn to read and write. When you think about it, it’s no wonder that just 26 percent of under-18s spend time reading books each day. That’s a great shame, because the best novels prove there’s so much more to life than digital algorithms.
Any author who kindles a passion for literature in young readers lights a fire that can last a lifetime. Fantasy is the perfect genre to offer kids a window into new worlds that could never exist, as each child naturally craves adventure and magic.
Are you writing a children’s fantasy novel? You’re in it to bring the exciting characters and world you conjured to life, but you’re also providing a public service. You have a chance to help your young readers fall in love — not just with your characters and world but also with the written word itself.
Here’s the thing. Your children’s fantasy novel absolutely needs illustrations to help your young audience understand your story. Not convinced? Keep reading to discover why.
Illustrations Allow Young Readers to Immerse Themselves in Your World
Children are concrete thinkers — humans don’t start to develop their ability to think abstractly until they are about 11 years old. Fantasy novelists build worlds so unlike our own that it’s hard for young readers to imagine what living there would feel like. You’ll do your best to paint a vivid picture in every chapter, paragraph, and sentence, but you can create a “full immersion experience” by including illustrations in your fantasy novel.
Once you’ve shown your readers what your world, its settlements, its plants and animals, and its tools and technology look like, they are better able to visualize the universe of your novel. This makes children feel part of the story and ultimately keeps them reading as they imagine what it would be like to walk through your universe.
Illustrations Help Young Readers Connect with Your Characters
A mental picture of your protagonist, antagonist, and all other characters slowly begins to unfold in your mind as you write your fantasy novel. You can picture your characters’ physical features, facial expressions, and sense of style. You become intimately acquainted with them because they emerged from your mind.
Adult readers often take pleasure in forming their own mental images, which may radically differ from your own. Children, on the other hand, appreciate being introduced to your characters so that they can begin to form their own bonds.
Illustrations are the perfect way to make this happen, starting with your book cover — which will frequently inspire young readers to open your book in the first place.
Illustrations Keep Your Young Readers Interested
You may have fond memories of your parents or a teacher reading great novels aloud. Do you also remember the power of whimsical illustrations? It is so much easier for children to stay interested in a novel someone else reads them when they have a chance to catch a glimpse of mesmerizing images that pull them into the story.
The same is true for children who are reading the book themselves. Are you describing a complex magical machine, a portal to a dwarven realm, or elemental soldiers levitating as they prepare for the final battle? Children’s authors need to take “show, don’t tell” to the next level by including illustrations.
Illustrations Help Your Young Readers Learn
Have you ever heard someone describe children as “little sponges” who soak up whatever they encounter? It’s true! Everything new and exciting has the ability to awaken new passion in a young mind.
The reverse is also true, though — squeeze a dry sponge, and nothing comes out.
We take the ability to turn novels into mental pictures for granted as adults precisely because we’ve seen and experienced so much already. Places we’ve been to, movies we’ve seen, and great literature we’ve immersed ourselves in all serve as inspiration as we transform novels into images in our minds.
Children don’t have that ability yet, but you can help them get there if you include beautiful illustrations in your children’s fantasy novel!
How to Find the Perfect Illustrator for Your Children’s Fantasy Novel
Some aspiring children’s fantasy authors think twice about including illustrations in their novels for the reason that they’re not talented illustrators themselves. Don’t be discouraged. Finding a gifted fantasy book illustrator is easier than you may think.
Look through available illustrators to discover those specializing in children’s fantasy. Your search doesn’t end there, of course. The interviewing process should include:
- A closer look at an illustrator’s portfolio, allowing you to discover if they can do your world justice in a style that matches your novel’s mood. Some fantasy illustrators specialize in characters, while others focus on landscape.
- Interviewing the illustrator to discover if they “get” your visual narrative and are brimming with ideas.
- A discussion about the illustrator’s availability. This is especially important if you have a deadline in mind already.
- Upfront discussion about the artist’s rates. Fantasy illustrations are not cheap, but considering the fact that they’re just as important as the story in a children’s fantasy book, authors should have realistic expectations.
- A discussion about the illustrator’s process. Will you need to describe the illustrations you’re after in detail, or is the artist open to being inspired by your work?
Working with an illustrator for the first time is a little scary — but that makes it all the more exciting! You’d be surprised how much a good artist can do to make your story come to life, and you may be overwhelmed to meet your main characters “in the flesh” for the first time.