One of the most important elements of a children’s book is dialogue. Well-crafted conversations between characters can bring a story to life, making it engaging, believable, and emotionally resonant.
But writing dialogue for young readers comes with its own challenges. It needs to sound natural, be age-appropriate, and move the story forward—all while keeping the reader entertained.
Here are ten tips to getting it right.
1. LISTEN TO HOW CHILDREN'S SPEAK
To write convincing dialogue, start by listening to real kids. Pay attention to the rhythm of their speech, the words they use, and how they structure their sentences.
Kids tend to: -Speak in shorter sentences.
-Use simple, direct language.
-Ask a lot of questions.
-Express big emotions without a filter.
-Ramble on and on when excited. For example, an eight-year-old might say: “Did you see what I did? I shot the ball backward. It went right in. That’s the third time I did that. Can you believe it? I know some kids who can’t even get it in facing the basket. Watch me do it again. I bet I’ll get it right in. You have to look where the basket is first, then...
-Disregard politeness. For example, a five-year-old might say: “That’s my toy! You took it!” rather than “Excuse me, I’m pretty sure that toy belongs to me.”
2. KEEP IT AGE-APPROPRIATE
Dialogue should reflect a character’s age and personality. A toddler’s speech will differ from a ten-year-old’s. Consider vocabulary, sentence structure, and emotional expression.
A toddler might say: “Me want cookie.” A seven-year-old might say: “Can I have a cookie now?” A ten-year-old might say: “Mom, can I have a snack before dinner?”
Reading books aimed at your target age group can help you develop an ear for appropriate dialogue.
3. AVOID OVERLY PERFECT OR FORMAL SPEECH
Children rarely speak in complete, grammatically perfect sentences. They use contractions, drop words, and sometimes mix up grammar. Overly polished dialogue can sound artificial.
Unrealistic: “I do not want to go to school today. It is very boring.” More natural: “I don’t wanna go to school. It’s boring.”
Letting kids talk the way they naturally would makes your dialogue more believable and engaging.
4. USE DIALOGUE TO SHOW PERSONALITY
Every child has a unique way of speaking. Some are shy and use few words; others ramble excitedly. Use dialogue to reveal character traits.
For example: Shy child: “Um… okay.” Enthusiastic child: “Oh wow! That’s so cool! Can I try?” Bossy child: “No, do it like this!”
Give each character a distinctive voice so they feel real and memorable.
5. KEEP IT SNAPPY AND PURPOSEFUL
Dialogue in children’s books should be concise and meaningful. Every line should serve a purpose—whether it’s revealing character, moving the plot forward, or adding humor.
Instead of this: “Hello, Susie. How are you today?” “I’m fine, thank you, Peter. How about you?” “I’m doing well. It is a nice day outside. Would you like to go on the swings?”
Try this: “Hey, Susie! Wanna race to the swings?” “You’re on!”
This version gets straight to the point while keeping the energy high.
6. USE HUMOR AND PLAYFULNESS
Kids love humor, so don’t be afraid to make dialogue fun! Wordplay, misunderstandings, and exaggerated reactions can make conversations fun.
Example: Mom: “Eat your broccoli.” Max: “I can’t. It’s looking at me.” Mom: “It doesn’t have eyes.” Max: “That’s what it wants you to think.”
Playful dialogue adds charm and keeps young readers engaged.
7. READ IT ALOUD
The best way to test dialogue is to read it out loud. If it sounds unnatural, stiff, or too adult-like, tweak it until it flows smoothly.
Better yet, ask a child to read it aloud—if they stumble or lose interest, you might need to simplify it.
8. BALANCE DIALOGUE WITH ACTION
People don’t just talk in real life—they move, react, and express emotions through body language. Integrate action and description to make dialogue more dynamic.
Instead of this: “I don’t want to go,” said Lily.
Try this: Lily crossed her arms. “I don’t want to go.” She stomped her foot for emphasis.
Adding actions makes the scene more vivid and engaging.
9. AVOID EXCESSIVE TAGGING
Using “said” is fine—it’s invisible to the reader. But avoid overusing fancy dialogue tags like “exclaimed” or “interjected.” Instead, let the dialogue and action show emotion.
Instead of: “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed joyfully.
Try: “I’m so excited!” She bounced on her toes.
This keeps the focus on the dialogue while showing the excitement.
10. MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT
Children’s books have limited space, especially picture books, so every word must matter. Avoid filler words and unnecessary chatter. Keep conversations sharp and engaging.
Instead of: “Well, you know, I was just thinking that maybe we could, um, go to the park or something?”
Try: “Wanna go to the park?”
Cutting the fluff keeps dialogue lively and to the point.
SUMMING IT UP
Writing realistic dialogue for children’s books takes practice but is worth the effort. When done well, it brings characters to life, keeps young readers engaged, and makes stories feel authentic.
By listening to real kids, keeping speech age-appropriate, using humor, and making dialogue purposeful, you’ll create conversations that feel natural and fun to read. So go ahead—let your characters talk!
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
