Why I Write for Children: Creating Magic, Wonder and Courage Through Stories

I get asked this a lot—“Why children’s books?”

Why not thrillers, romance, adult fiction? Why not something a little more… serious?

The answer, for me, has always been simple: Because I believe stories have the power to shape how we see the world. I write to spark wonder, courage, and joy in young readers... and maybe even grown-ups, too.

I don’t just write for children—I write to them, with them in mind, and for the child who still lives in all of us.

Because magic is real—especially when you're young.

You remember, don’t you?

That feeling when the world was still wide open. When a tree stump might be a fairy’s doorstep. When the shadows held secrets and your stuffed animals had meetings while you were asleep. When a cardboard box could become a spaceship, a jungle, or a pirate ship—no questions asked.

Children live with one foot in the real world and one in the imaginary. They don’t need permission to believe. They don’t roll their eyes when a squirrel talks or a door opens into another realm. They lean in. They say, “What happens next?”

That is magic. Not tricks or spells or smoke and mirrors—but the honest-to-goodness ability to believe in the impossible. And it’s something we tend to lose as we grow up.

But not children. Not yet.

And that’s why I write for them.

Because if I can bottle up a bit of that wonder, if I can give them a story that makes their eyes go wide or their hearts race, I’ve done my job.

Because one good story can change a heart forever.

Think back to a book that stayed with you. One you clutched under your pillow, reread a dozen times, maybe even cried over when it ended.

For me, it was Charlotte’s Web. That moment when Charlotte dies? Oh, it shattered me. But in the most beautiful way. It taught me about friendship, kindness, bravery—and yes, loss. But it also gave me hope. And I never forgot it.

Stories shape us. They help us make sense of big emotions and hard questions. They show us that we’re not alone, even when we feel like we are.

When a child opens a book, they open a door to more than just a new world—they step into empathy, imagination, and courage. They begin to ask, What would I do if I were there? Would I fight the dragon? Would I help the scared creature? Would I forgive the villain?

Books stretch hearts as much as minds.

So yes. I believe in stories. And I believe that one good story can change a heart forever.

Maybe even change a life.

Because I believe kids need wonder, courage, and a dash of mischief.

Let’s be honest—growing up isn’t easy. Even the happiest childhood has its moments of fear, loneliness, and confusion. And for some kids? The world is already a heavy place.

So when I sit down to write, I ask myself: What does a child need to hear today?

They need to laugh. They need to gasp. They need to believe—in magic, in bravery, in themselves. They need characters who are scared but choose to be brave anyway. Characters who make mistakes, get messy, and sometimes break the rules for all the right reasons.

Because kids are brave. They really are. And they’re curious, too. Sometimes mischievous. Often hilarious.

They’re so much more than we give them credit for.

I want to write books that celebrate all of that. I want to create adventures that whisper, You are capable. That say, You’re not too small. You’re not too weird. You matter.

And if I can toss in a talking owl, a cursed forest, or a glowing key along the way—well, even better.

Because children deserve stories that speak to them, not down to them.

Children are some of the most honest critics you’ll ever meet. If they’re bored, they’ll tell you. If they don’t believe a character would do something, they’ll question it. They don’t care if your prose is fancy—they care if your story is real.

Not real as in nonfiction. Real as in emotionally honest.

That’s what I strive for.

I want every page to feel like a conversation, like I’m right there beside them, saying, “Let’s go on an adventure together. Let’s see what’s around the next bend.”

There’s no need to water things down for kids. They can handle big ideas—as long as we give them the tools to unpack them.

And they deserve books that reflect the full range of their emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, silliness, triumph.

Because children’s books stay with us long after childhood ends.

Think about it.

How many adults still love The Little Prince, Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, or The Chronicles of Narnia? These aren’t just stories we outgrow. They’re stories that help us grow into ourselves.

There’s something timeless about a good children’s book. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80—if the story speaks truth, if it sings with wonder, you’ll remember it. You’ll return to it like an old friend.

Writing for children isn’t a lesser art form. It’s one of the highest. Because it means you’re planting seeds in minds and hearts that are still forming—seeds that might bloom years later, just when they’re needed most.

That’s why I write for children.✨

Not for awards. Not for prestige. Not even (just) for the joy of it—though yes, that’s part of it too.

I write for the child sitting cross-legged in the corner of the library. For the kid who’s had a hard day and needs to disappear into a dragon cave or an enchanted treehouse. For the quiet one in the back of the classroom who hasn’t quite found their voice yet. For the ones who feel different. For the ones who want to feel brave. For the ones who still believe in magic.

And if a grown-up happens to read my books and feel something stir in their heart again? That’s just the cherry on top.

Because magic is real—especially when you're young. Because one good story can change a heart forever. Because I believe kids need wonder, courage, and a dash of mischief. That’s why I write. ✨

Let’s Keep the Magic Going…

If you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or just a fellow lover of stories—I’d love to hear from you. What was your favorite book as a child? What stories have stayed with you?

Drop a comment below or share this post with someone who still believes in the magic of children’s books. 💛

And if you're looking for adventure, heart, and a little mischief, you’ll find it between the pages of every story I write.