Q: I'd like to write a children's book that teaches the ethics of…

A: Whoa…Let's rethink this business of topic. When was the last time you heard a kid say, “Wow! I really liked that movie/TV show because it taught me to tell the truth and be nice to my sister!”? Just like the rest of us, kids do what they do in their leisure time because they want to enjoy themselves. They're generally not out to improve their moral lives through meditation and self-examination. If you're writing a book strictly to preach at the general population of young people, then don't expect a great response. Children don't want to be preached at any more than you do. Now, if you set out to tell a great story and the story happens to make a connection with kids on a deeper level, that's a completely different matter. I have always loved, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak. I fell in love with that book because of the wonderful creatures, the beautiful language, and Max's sense of adventure. What kid wouldn't love expressions like “Let the wild rumpus start!” Not once as a child reading this book did I say to myself, “Isn't it nice that Max returned to a loving home where his mother cared enough for him to have a hot dinner waiting.” Yes, the moral is there. Yes, I took it in and learned from it, but that's not why I loved the book. Write your story. Make it entertaining. Make it fun. But leave the morals to Aesop. Maybe they'll learn something along the way, or maybe they'll just learn to love reading.

If you're still not satisfied, drop a line to writers@melindalongbooks.com. Due to the volume of inquiries I receive, I cannot respond to each question, but do get to as many as is possible in a timely manner. And, of course, thanks for your interest!