Children’s Books Without Conflicts

You don’t need a story arc to tell a great story. Pass it on.

“Your picture book needs to have a conflict, a climax, and an arc.”

How many of you have submitted a picture book dummy, or a manuscript, only to receive what I would describe as one of the most annoying—and erroneous—responses from literary agents and other publishing professionals?

But they’re publishing professionals. Shouldn’t we defer to their expertise? Good question. The answer is no.

Most publishing professionals will agree with what you’re about to read. Some, however, seem to either a) have a limited understanding of what a children’s book can be, or b) do know, but use the “it needs more of a story” response so they don’t have to say, “I don’t like it. Have a nice future.”

Allow me to share a few books that apparently would be “rejected” by some of today’s agents and editors for not having an exposition, a conflict, rising action, a climax, falling action, or a resolution—and why you don’t need a story arc to tell a great story.