How to Format A Book for Kids - the DOs + DON'Ts + Tools

How to Format A Book for Kids - the DOs + DON'Ts + Tools
If you've been wondering how to format your beautiful children's book, and whether or not you should pay someone for this, then this video is for you. Sharing the DOs and DON'Ts and tools you can use, this video can potentially save you hundreds of dollars, and thousands, if you are planning to write more than just one children's book.
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🔹 VIDEO: Fonts for your Children's Book - • Typefaces for Children...
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🔹 VIDEO: Children's Book Trim Size - • Children's Book TRIM S...
🔹 VIDEO: Full Bleed vs. No Bleed + BEST Layout - • Full Bleed vs No Bleed...
🔹 VIDEO: How to Create an EBOOK for Kids - • How to Create An EBOOK...
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🔹 FORMATTING MASTERY: www.eevijones.c...
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• How to Format A Book f...
#childrensbooks #howtowritechildrensbooks #childrensbookuniversity #eevijones

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much for watching! I hope you found this video on how to format a book for children helpful. You can do this!!

[@LadyLaVelleFilms]

Thank you for all the info! So helpful! I was wondering though, you didn't touch on bleed. Do you have any advice on that?

[@robertwilliamsbigrob]

I should have hired you now I got to pay all this money to them too make my book I messed up

[@Trilliumwoods-ecs]

Eevi, you are so gracious and generous in your support of fellow children’s book authors. You set a beautiful example of how the world is transformed for the better by an inspired sense of community. Thank you.

[@EeviJones]

That is so, so sweet of you to say, Eileen! Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world to me!

[@bluestainedglasspoetry64]

Thank you so much for this information. Last year, I released my self-published poetry book, and I did the formatting myself. I am almost done with my first illustrated children 's book. I was not quite sure how to formatt illustrations and text. Your video was so easy and helpful.

[@BryansCafe]

This is the most sincere, generous, and genuinely helpful tutorial I've seen in a long time. Thank you for so openly sharing this info :)

[@EeviJones]

That's so kind of you to say, Bryan! You're so, so welcome!

[@livewithinyourmeans]

Thank you so much for helping those of use who haven't moved forward yet.

[@EeviJones]

You're so, so welcome!

[@zvw444x3zefa]

Thank you Eevi, your videos are so helpful.

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so happy to hear this!!

[@karenfredericks8474]

Your MILLION DOLLAR Tip around 19 minutes - about how to view SPREADS in you pdf is so valuable! I have had ages of problems with this as several of my books have elements spanning two pages in a spread have been such painful problems! So, this is a great help! BUT maybe more helpful is your suggestion of not having illustrations span spreads with important elements cross the gutter! Many thanks!

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear this helped, Karen!!

[@arlenepazmino3973]

Thank you so much for sharing such useful information! You just earned a new subscriber! Love your channel. So I am interested in purchasing your Plug and Go Formatting Templates but have a question first. I have all my illustrations on a single spreadsheet (first time author ☺️). Will the templates work for me in my end goal of having the pages separated and where they need to be ready for KDP?

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear it, Arlene. The file you will save with these Plug & Go Templates will be the file you submit on KDP. I hope this answers your question.

[@sacredcowbbq1326]

Thank you so much! I wish I found you this morning before I spend the whole day on other videos that got me nowhere. Of course, you have a new subscriber and big fan!

[@EeviJones]

I love reading your wonderful comments! I appreciate you so much!

[@cherylsturdevant7541]

Thankyou so much for your knowledge and sharing it is so kind. Im a 66 yr old grandmother and just wrote and illustated my 1st book. "Loving Gifts from God."

[@EeviJones]

Hearing this makes me so, so happy, Cheryl! You are so inspiring!

[@serenapena7984]

Yayyyy. Was it hard illustrating? How did u do it

[@daniellasforza3913]

I love your videos they are so clear and concise. Thank you for your generous lessons!! I am using Canva and used your template generator and I have completed a book this weekend! So that means I should have started here so I am hoping I have done it all correctly!

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so happy to hear this, Daniella! Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@IzusaOGarro]

This may be a silly question but what do you use in canva to do this?.

[@truthseeker7169]

this is amazing and much needed info! thank you Eevi :)

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear you found this helpful!

[@jackiedrumeller5178]

Thank you! This was very helpful. I am in the process of creating my first book and this has given me the support and confidence I needed.

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so happy to hear this, Jackie! Good luck with the creation of your beautiful first children's book!

[@SuzanneMcDerrmott]

Thanks so much for this wonderfully informative and thorough video! I needed to hear everything you shared in it - including your encouragement for confidence. I've subscribed and given you a thumbs up. Looking forward to learning more from you.

[@EeviJones]

That's so wonderful, Suzanne! And I hope you enjoy my other videos as well! Thanks so much for your kind words!

[@penelopebunsen1233]

Thank you for taking the time to share you knowledge.

[@EeviJones]

You're so, so welcome!

[@carlachapin1233]

Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners will publish 3 books at a time beginning in 2023. What a gift to have your lessons and insight. Being ignorant of details/logistics could break my budget! Appreciate all you do!

[@EeviJones]

I appreciate you so much, Carla!

[@786itube]

Excellent & Thank you for a fine & most helpful presentation

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear you've found this helpful!

[@MaryteRutkauskas]

A beautiful new book 'Hats for Hailey'. Kindness and compassion, teaching children empathy.

[@VisualDesignSchool-ye6eg]

Hey. the video is super informative. I like to suggest that if you could show examples of everything, that would be great. Thanks

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much!!

[@KatSperlingBooks]

I just found your channel and it truly feels like I struck upon a gold mine! Your videos are a perfect mix of straight-to-the-point information, incredibly helpful resources, and genuine inspirational advice!

[@EeviJones]

Awww, thank you so much, Kat! What a wonderful compliment! I'm so happy you found my channel!

[@trinidadcretivestudio2495]

You are Awesome ! thanks for the info and your fantastic energy and wisdom

[@EeviJones]

Thank you so much!!

[@laurenallan1204]

Excellent video. Thank you for all your guidance Eevi 🌻

[@EeviJones]

Hearing this makes me so happy, Lauren! Thanks so much!

[@bentoleal8690]

Very helpful guidance, Eevi. Clear and easy to understand. Thank you! 😊

[@EeviJones]

Thank you so, so much, Bento!!

[@brianarossi2810]

Thank you so much for the information you provide. It definitely helps make this process a bit less overwhelming. Do you know what font you used in "Dare To be Brave"?

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so happy to hear this, Briana. I currently don't have my files handy for "Dare to be Brave," but the font I'm using in my book "Sometimes It Rains" is very similar, which is called Adigiana Toybox. I so hope this helps!

[@DebbieG225]

Thank you!!! I’m going to purchase the Canva template. For this go around it’s more of a picture book with no more than four words on a page.

[@EeviJones]

That's so wonderful to hear, Debbie! Have a fantastic day!

[@craigcothren4589]

HELLO FROM THE PHILIPPINES. I am a new subscriber. Great Material

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much, Craig!

[@jasonlaughren2084]

Thank you for sharing! What do we do with the last page and rear cover of the book?

[@EeviJones]

You're so very welcome, Jason. I went ahead and shared two of my other videos on just that - the back cover and also what other elements we could add to our book. I so hope this helps. (1) kzbin.info/www/bejne/goG6m4SfpL2FoaM (2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWLbeHWLpJVjqK8

[@CarolHagen-rw9fh]

Thank you, Eevi! Working on my second book!

[@EeviJones]

That's so wonderful to hear, Carol!

[@johnsamwani]

This you for this excellent information. This is exactly what I needed.

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear this, John!

[@CandidHope]

Wonderfully explained -- as usual.

[@EeviJones]

Thank you so, so much for your kind words!!

[@ScofieldPublishing]

Thank you Eevi. I love your confidence booster at the end. Wish me luck! ;)

[@EeviJones]

GOOD LUCK! You can do this!!!

[@ScofieldPublishing]

@@EeviJones Thank you! I just uploaded to INGRAM & KDP and received my author copy today. It's such an amazing feeling. Your videos and website have been extremely helpful. I also purchased your Illustrator Kit. Thanks for filling in the gaps!

[@bornpowerful]

Awesome video on formatting. Thank you so much.

[@EeviJones]

You're so welcome, Angelo! Thank you so much for watching!

[@manikanagpal8865]

Loved it! Thanks🌟

[@EeviJones]

You're so, so welcome!

[@bridgetbick115]

Your videos are seriously gold…. I wish I had found this last year when I was formatting my first book! Keep them coming!1

[@EeviJones]

Thank you so, so much, Bridget!! I so appreciate your kind words!

[@skillsforchildren]

Thank you!

[@EeviJones]

You are so, so welcome!!

[@anukhe15]

Thanks A Lot ! is there a video about formatting an Ebook ? you talked about may be doing one

[@EeviJones]

I'm so glad you found this helpful! I haven't created an ebook video just yet. But perhaps you can give the Kindle Kids Book Creator a try. It is really easy to use and does an excellent job! I so hope this helps!

[@onceuponadance590]

Thank you -- wish I'd have watched this a couple years ago ;) such great info

[@EeviJones]

I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you so much!

[@olhahutsuliak9517]

Thanks =) a lot of useful information!

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so glad this was helpful!

[@jjchilds4916]

Awesome straight to the point video! You go girl! JJ

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much, JJ!

[@jessiejoubert1748]

Brilliant - Thank you!

[@EeviJones]

You're so welcome, Jessie!

[@janjang8322]

Fantastic as usual. Thanks again.

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much, Jan!

[@sajidmehmood-wy2cn]

This is brilliant. Very informative. But I can't find your ebook formatting video. Is it just me? please help!

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much, Sajid! I haven't made a formatting video for ebooks just yet. Things have been changing a bit on Amazon, so I'm still waiting for an easier and most up-to date solution.

[@sajidmehmood-wy2cn]

@@EeviJones wow! Thank you so much Eevie! Whenever it comes, I'll be waiting for that video. All of your content is super amazing. Thank you for your efforts in making us good children's book writers.

[@analyst1777]

I love your channel ❤️

[@EeviJones]

Hearing this makes me so happy! Thank you!

[@analyst1777]

Your so welcome! I am learning so much!

[@serenapena7984]

I have wasted so much money so im going back to doing it myself! My hold up is illustrations tight now. Besides doing it on digital art programming. Can you sugvest how to digitize my illustrations, or do youhave someone you use?

[@authorcraigcothren]

i took your advice on creating an Authors Web Page. Thanks Eevi

[@EeviJones]

That's so wonderful, Craig!!

[@palwashamirbacha6230]

Thank you EEVI. This was right in time knowledge and information on formatting. I am formatting multiple books with different designers and there are always moments when I think in the back of my mind; "are we doing it right?" I got some really nice tips and I really appreciate your spirit in sharing tips and depth with us all.

[@EeviJones]

Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Palwasha! You are doing great!

[@shaneaudette6763]

I WILL be downloading your plug and go templates. Thank you just not at that stage yet

[@EeviJones]

I'm so glad to hear it, Shane!

[@beixingzhiguang3975]

you deserve 100 times subscribers.

[@EeviJones]

This is the nicest comment! Thank you so much!

[@IzusaOGarro]

Thank you so much for this. Im currently struggling with this, but I started using canva, and this may be a silly question, but what do you use in canva to do this?.

[@EeviJones]

You're so very welcome. And it's not a silly question at all. I simply create a new project by entering the dimensions I need. I also have some templates I use. If you would like to take a look, I have added the link to those templates right here: www.eevijones.com/chibu-courses/#formatting-templates I so hope this helps!

[@01Paulsgirl]

This was super helpful! Before this, I had no idea where to start or even what questions to ask; now I feel more informed. Your example inserts were especially useful. Thank you again!

[@EeviJones]

I'm so, so happy to hear this, Robyn! Thank you so much!

[@susannecoolkidsgerman7989]

THANK YOU, Eevi !!!!!

[@EeviJones]

You're so, so welcome, Susanne!

[@dhak777]

Hi Eevi! Thank you for all the useful information. I only have one question, what are your thoughts on using pages from Mac or IOS?

[@EeviJones]

You're so welcome. I personally don't have a Mac, so I'm not sure. But I would think it's similar to Word.

[@ElizabethOtis]

Thank you so much!!

[@EeviJones]

You're so welcome, Elizabeth!

[@jjchilds4916]

Hey darlin I know you like Canva me to. I have created my illustrations in Canva. Are your templates compatible? And once I purchase are there instructions for the size I need to make my illustrations to work with your templates. Thank you so much, JJ

[@EeviJones]

Yes and yes! I so hope this helps, JJ!

[@WriterandPhotographer]

For some reason, although I used Create and followed all formatting advice for KDP, when I actually purchased my own book, the cover does not show (other than a thumbnail) and the book will not work on my 7th generation Kindle. Amazon says that Create results in formatting that will work with all iterations of the Kindle. I think my children's book is mostly useless in ebook form. Still waiting on delivery of my softcover print books to see how that formatting came out. That had to be re-uploaded three times to get it right. One thing people should check is that if you don't want to pay for a commercial license for typefaces, and you use a commercially-free font, then check in-between your typed areas on pages in blank spaces for any other fonts that might get embedded, but are not actually used. Thank you for your videos Eevi.

[@EeviJones]

Hi @writerandphotographer! When opening your book on your e-reader, try going backward in your book (instead of forward). Sometimes, ebooks open up a few pages in, instead of on the cover. Congratulations! And I hope your paperback has worked out! Good luck with your launch!

[@WriterandPhotographer]

@@EeviJones Thank you for the response Eevi...........it won't even let me download the book onto my Kindle. ...it says "unavailable for download....the item is not compatible with this device." It would be great to try out your suggestion otherwise. It's strange that I used their software and it is still not compatible. I sent them a request more than a week ago for help, but they have never responded. Thankfully, the book is out in paperback and available through Barnes & Noble also. Still waiting on the softcovers.....it's been a week.

[@58wmelon]

Do you now have a video specifically for formatting for a KDP e-book?

[@anthonyyeager3385]

thank you

[@EeviJones]

You're so welcome, Anthony!

[@johnparnham5945]

I recommend Atticus. It's excellent for formatting

[@EeviJones]

Thanks, John! Definitely for ebooks and when the text is already part of the illustrations.

[@mozimiga]

I was just researching Atticus, John. Can Atticus do full bleed full color 8.5" x 8.5" square books?

[@Billymfp]

Did you ever do a video on the ebook formatting?

[@JeanBrock-f9m]

I am formatting my first book and have used all your videos & tools however I have an issue with page count. I have 22 spreads and a title page and copywrite page. (total 24). On the templates it shows you need a blank page at the beginning. Is this required? If it is then I need to go to 28 pages and either use blank or come up with more back matter??

[@goodstan1260]

17:21 in the rules of Amazon "There's no language in your files and metadata that implies your book is part of a bundled set." does that mean i can not do announcement of my next book on the last page?

[@jonomichi2262]

Will you consider bleed for the splitting pages. The example you showed may risk not having the blue ballon printed wholly ..right?

[@EeviJones]

Hi Jo! Bleed is only added to the outside edges. Elements in the center fold are mostly okay, but we would want to stay away from having any text or important parts like faces or the like in that center fold area. I so hope this helps.

[@lewinkaren]

So I have watched this and your other videos multiple times and just want to be sure on this one point. If I want my title page to be page 3 with just a white blank page before it, do I need to put 2 white blank pages in the final PDF file? Or do they just use the one page and assume the back is page 2. Hope that makes sense. The way I have my draft in Canva is 2 blank white pages and then my title page. I remember you saying, “what you see is what you get”. Is that correct? Thanks so much for any advice on this.

[@EeviJones]

Hi Karen! Yes, if you would like a blank page to the left of your title page, we would have to add two blank pages. I would only do so for the paperback, though. For hardcovers, there will already be a blank page next to our title page. I so hope this helps.

[@lewinkaren]

Thanks so much for your prompt reply, and also for the hardcover tip as well. I would not have known that about the blank page already being there. Just about ready to hit “Publish”. Yay, and many thanks to you!!!

[@andreakaye7275]

Hello Eevi, I'd like to purchase your plug n go templates BUT am uncertain about the following: The entire book was created on Procreate (on the iPad). Do you know if I'm able to upload the Procreate pages to Canva? I'm so flustered right now. Thank you!!!!!! Andrea

[@EeviJones]

Hi Andrea! You can upload many file types onto Canva, including JPEG, PNG, TIFF. So as long as you download your images using one of these file types, you should be able to upload them onto Canva. I so hope this helps!

[@ReneeHruska]

will your plug and go templates work for ingramspark formatting as well?

[@EeviJones]

Thanks so much for asking! The interior files will be the same, so the templates will work. I hope this answers your question. Happy Wednesday!

[@VeganBeerMonster]

Hi Eevi. I started using Canva for my books. However, I read somewhere that the print quality is reduced after using Canva. Please let me know if there is any truth to this. I tried Indesign but it is not at all user friendly.

[@EeviJones]

Happy Monday! That would depend on how our images are being exported. Are you using the templates I am sharing with Plug & Go Formatting Templates? If so, then those are already accounting for Canva's persnickety quality settings. I so hope this helps!

[@VeganBeerMonster]

@@EeviJones Thank you Eevi. I was told that Canva reduces the quality of uploads to save space. There seems to be differing opinions about this.

[@andreakaye7275]

Hi Eevi... I hired a formatter on Fiverr, and it's been a nightmare! FIVE months of back and forth. Every time I make an edit, the entire book changes...one time it came back with borders, another time the pages weren't in order..etc etc. Do you freelance at all? I really need help. Thanks so much!

[@EeviJones]

I'm so sorry to hear about your formatting troubles, Andrea! I currently only format the books I also ghostwrite for my clients. But have you ever considered giving it a try yourself? I do offer templates we can use over on Canva, but even without these templates, it isn't hard to do.

[@andreakaye7275]

@@EeviJones Thanks sooooooo much for the response! I'll look in your links for the templates! You may (probably.most likely.) hear back from me! Your tutorials are really helpful! Thank you!

[@dianahenson7095]

I am a beginner. I don't even know how to create the file to begin. Can you make a video on how to open the lab topa make the file for the book. Show me what buttons to push. I think my book is done but I don't know how to put it in the manuscript.

[@cheery-hex]

hi Eevi I like how your name is spelled

[@EeviJones]

Thank you!!! I like it too!

[@susibarreto1508]

Hello! I formatted my book by the rule (adding the bleed recommended) and even got my proof copy with no issues. Now that I hit publish I got an email saying: We've checked your files and found some issues that you need to fix in order to publish your book on KDP: Inside Extend the book page width by 3.2 mm (0.125") and the height by 6.4 mm (0.25") to ensure that manuscript images extend beyond the edges of the page. Once you have extended the size, extend any images or backgrounds that you want to reach the edge of the page 3.2 mm (0.125") beyond the cut line. This way there will be no problems when we cut the custom file See examples on pages 19 of the PDF. I don't know what to do. Please help

[@EeviJones]

Hi Susi! It's tricky to pinpoint where things may need some tweaking. If you have chosen the 8.5 x 8.5 trim sizes for example, we will need our individual pages to be as follows: width = 8.5 + 0.125 = 8.625, height = 8.5 + 0.125 + 0.125 = 8.75 (NOTE how our width and height ARE NOT the same). So make sure that your submitted PDF pages that are holding your illustrations are 8.625 x 8.75 (w x h), extending all the way to the edges of your pages. And make sure you selected the full bleed option. I so hope this helps.

[@123dogone]

thank you so much I'm working on my first book and i came up with so many lame excuses

[@EeviJones]

I'm so excited for you, Victor!

[@beautiezzz___6965]

I make story books on canva 6*9 size...it is Ok with paperpack and hardcover..but not oK with e book on Kdp ...It get crashed and destroy my file while i preview after uploading file....It happens only when i made on canva...Ehat should i do..can you please help me

[@EeviJones]

I personally use the Kindle Kids Book Creator and the Kindle Create for my ebook versions. Both are free to use. I so hope this helps.

[@beautiezzz___6965]

@@EeviJones how i can get these from

[@herbsandgifts]

Thank you so much for sharing this information. 🥹🫶🏻✨

[@EeviJones]

You are so very welcome! I'm so happy to hear this!

[@dagbjortasgeirsdottir8087]

Thank you! 🙂

[@EeviJones]

You are so very welcome!!!