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Children’s Book Specification Charting

By Shari Faden Donahue

Emulate the best! Evaluate the design and layout components of six of your favorite children's picture books:

•
 How does the use of hardcover or softcover impact the retail price?
• To what extent is color utilized?
• Do the illustrations “bleed” off the edges of the pages or are they “blocked” within specified page margins?
• Does the featured typeface complement the illustration style?
• Are the interior pages coated (shiny) or matte-finished (dull)?
• How does trim size—as well as book orientation (oblong or vertical)—influence illustration design and layout components?


Create a chart to designate the specifications of your six-book sampling, utilizing the following headings:

•
 Title
• Retail price
• Type of cover (hardcover with dust jacket versus softcover)
• Trim size (horizontal x vertical page dimensions)
• Trim orientation (oblong versus vertical presentation)
• Page count (typically 32 pages)
• Paper type (coated or matte-finish)
• Color usage (full color process versus limited use of color)
• Illustration characteristics (“bleed” versus “non-bleed”)
• Special effects (embossing, foil, stamping, sensory-stimulating materials, stencil cuts, etc.)

Include all pertinent information. Be specific and concrete in your observations. Make sketches as necessary. Envision your completed self-published title in full detail.

Though your picture book concept is likely to evolve over time, it is wise to adhere to a basic framework at the onset of your self-publishing project. Based on production cost efficiencies and binding requirements, it is advantageous for your title to simulate the industry standard 32-page children’s picture book format. Include a row in your worksheet that reflects your proposed children’s picture book specifications.