Self-Publish a Children’s Book on Amazon KDP with Canva

Dreaming of publishing a children’s book on Amazon KDP but don’t know where to start? This guide will show you how to illustrate and publish your book, even without drawing skills, using Canva and Amazon KDP.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform, allowing you to publish ebooks and print-on-demand books without upfront costs. Combined with Canva, a user-friendly online graphic design tool, you can create the children’s book of your dreams.

Illustrating Your Children’s Book with Canva

You don’t need to be a professional artist to illustrate a children’s book. Canva offers thousands of free design templates, images, and graphic elements. Here are some tips to get you started:

Choose the Right Book Size

First, decide on the size for your book. Amazon KDP supports various sizes. Refer to other children’s books on Amazon to choose a size that suits your story.

Create Your Content Pages

After choosing the size, create content pages in Canva with the chosen dimensions and include the required Amazon KDP print bleeds. Setting the correct size and bleed is crucial to avoid content being trimmed during printing.

Utilize Canva’s Graphic Elements

Canva provides numerous graphic elements you can use to illustrate your story. Try these tips:

• Character Variations: Use one character and transform it into multiple characters by changing clothes, accessories, or poses. For example, you can add hats, bows, or objects to the character’s hands.
• Background Changes: Create different scenes simply by changing the background image. For instance, you can use a beach, circus, or park background.
• Find Characters with Multiple Poses: Canva has some characters designed with various poses. Leverage this feature to create diversity in your illustrations.
• Be Patient and Flexible: Finding the right graphic elements to fit your story might take time. Be patient and willing to adjust your story to suit what you find on Canva.

Designing Your Book Cover

After completing the content pages, design your book cover. It’s recommended to create the cover after finishing the content because:

• Reflects the Content: The cover should accurately reflect the content and message of the story.
• Determines Page Count: You need the exact page count to create a cover with the correct dimensions.

Use Amazon KDP’s cover creator tool to ensure accurate sizing and bleed. Choose Premium Color paper for children’s books.

Publishing Your Book on Amazon KDP

After completing the cover and content, save your file as a PDF and upload it to Amazon KDP. Keep these points in mind when publishing a children’s book:

• Don’t Choose “Low Content Book”: Children’s books are not low content books.
• Provide an ISBN: You need to provide an ISBN for your book. Amazon KDP can generate a free ISBN for you.
• Choose Color Printing: Select Premium Color paper for children’s books.

Conclusion

With Canva and Amazon KDP, publishing a children’s book is easier than ever. Start creating and make your dream a reality! The process requires persistence and creativity, but the rewards are well worth it.