The Children’s Book Review’s Submission Guidelines
Get Your Children’s Book Discovered by Parents, Educators, and Book Buyers
Ever wonder why some children’s books capture hearts and fly off shelves while others—perhaps with equally beautiful stories—remain undiscovered? The difference often isn’t just the story itself, but who’s championing it to the right audience.
As a children’s book creator, you’ve poured your creativity, heart, and countless hours into creating something special. But in today’s crowded marketplace, even extraordinary books can get lost without the right visibility to parents, educators, and book buyers who are actively searching for their next meaningful purchase.
That’s where The Children’s Book Review (TCBR) steps in—connecting your labor of love with the readers who need it most.
What is a Professional Book Review?
A book review is a thoughtful exploration of your finished work that honors your creative journey. Our passionate reviewers discover the magic in your writing style, theme development, age appropriateness, and educational value. Each review illuminates what makes your book special, helping parents, educators, librarians, and book buyers connect children with stories that will touch their hearts and minds.
Need guidance on an unfinished manuscript? Our Full Story Services offers supportive developmental editing and critiques.
Why should I have my book reviewed by TCBR?
We’re more than reviewers—we’re passionate advocates for children’s literature who understand the heart you’ve poured into your work. Our community of dedicated readers treasures authentic storytelling and celebrates the unique voice each author brings to young readers’ lives.
When you entrust your book to us, our experienced reviewers immerse themselves in your world from first page to last, discovering the magic that makes your story special. Each thoughtful, human-crafted review reflects not just an assessment, but a genuine connection with your creative vision—carrying profound meaning to the parents, educators, and industry professionals who look to us for guidance.
In today’s world of quick, automated content, we believe your labor of love deserves the warmth of human attention and understanding. Our authentic, carefully considered perspectives come from real people who recognize the transformative power of children’s literature and the difference your book can make in a child’s life journey.
Imagine This: Your Book’s Potential Journey
Picture having a thoughtful, professional review that truly captures your book’s unique value. With your TCBR review in hand, you have a powerful marketing asset to share across your platforms and include in your promotional materials. Your book gains increased visibility with parents, educators, and librarians who trust TCBR’s recommendations.
While every book’s journey is different, authors with TCBR reviews often report greater confidence in their marketing efforts, enhanced credibility when approaching bookstores and libraries, and the satisfaction of having their work thoughtfully recognized by industry professionals who understand children’s literature.
How Do We Evaluate Review Submissions?
We review submissions based on literary value, illustrative beauty, and overall quality. Our reviews and book lists highlight the unique strengths in each work, with special attention to those we recognize as truly exceptional. While we believe every book has value, our platform celebrates those stories that demonstrate remarkable potential to inspire, educate, and create lasting impressions on young readers. We take pride in connecting these standout works—the ones that move us deeply—with the audience who will cherish them most.
We aim for our thoughtful evaluations to go deep—connecting with your book’s unique voice and purpose and exploring how it speaks to children’s hearts and minds. Each reviewer brings their expertise in children’s literature to highlight what makes your story special while providing honest, constructive insights that honor your creative vision.
Who Can Submit?
We welcome everyone in the children’s literature community—publishers, authors, illustrators, publicists, and industry professionals—who dream of connecting their stories with the children who need them most. TCBR celebrates published fiction and nonfiction literature for children and young adults, including e-books, audiobooks, and child/family-related products (both traditionally and self-published).
What Would a Meaningful Book Review Be Worth to You?
Consider what you’ve already invested in your book—the months of writing, illustrating costs, editing fees, and printing expenses. Now think about what it’s worth to ensure your book reaches its intended audience.
Many children’s authors spend $500-1,000+ on marketing campaigns with uncertain results. Others invest thousands in book fairs and events just to make a handful of sales. But a professional review from a trusted source creates lasting visibility and credibility that continues working for you long after the initial investment.
What Are Your Options for Getting a Book Review From TCBR?
- Dedicated Reviews: Guaranteed professional review that shares your story’s heart with our community through publication and e-newsletter inclusion. Choose between standard (4-5 weeks) or accelerated (1-2 weeks) timeframes.
- Editorial Reviews: Lower consideration fee with all submissions thoughtfully evaluated over approximately 3 months, though selection isn’t guaranteed. If selected, your review is published on our website and considered for e-newsletter consideration.
Whichever path resonates with you, any published reviews become part of our cherished collection of exceptional children’s literature. These reviews become trusted guides for our community of parents, educators, and book lovers searching for stories that will inspire young minds and touch young hearts for years to come.
Book Review Options Comparison
| Feature | Dedicated Reviews: Standard | Dedicated Reviews: Accelerated | Editorial Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Cost | $289 | $389 | Digital Book: $5 Physical Book: $20 |
| Length Surcharges | Based on page count* | Based on page count* | None |
| Timeframe | 4-5 weeks | 1-2 weeks | Approx. 3 months processing time |
| Word Count | Minimum 200 words | Minimum 200 words | Varies |
| Publication | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | Only if selected |
| E-Newsletter Inclusion | Yes | Yes | Considered if selected |
| Guaranteed Review | Yes | Yes | No |
Length Surcharges for Dedicated Reviews*
- 51-100 pages: +$50
- 101-200 pages: +$75
- 201-300 pages: +$100
- 301-400 pages: +$125
- 401+ pages: +$150
Summary
Dedicated Reviews: Guaranteed professional review with publication and e-newsletter inclusion. Choose between standard (4-5 weeks) or accelerated (1-2 weeks) timeframes.
Editorial Reviews: Lower consideration fee but no guarantee of selection. All submissions are evaluated, with approximately 3-month processing time.
Don’t Let Your Story Go Untold
Every year, thousands of wonderful children’s books are published—and sadly, many are never discovered by the readers who would love them most. Without visibility to the right audience, even the most magical stories can fade into obscurity.
Your book deserves to be found. The children who need your story deserve to read it. Don’t let your creative work become just another title lost in the vast sea of publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I use my review?
Your review is a versatile marketing tool that you can:
- Share across all your marketing platforms
- Use as social proof for your book
- Feature on your website and promotional materials
- Include in press kits and media outreach
How long will my review be available?
Your review becomes evergreen content, remaining published on TCBR for the life of our site or until your book is no longer in print. This ensures long-term visibility for your work.
What results can I expect from receiving a review?
While results vary, authors often see:
- Increased book sales
- Higher website traffic
- Improved Amazon rankings
- Enhanced online discoverability through web searches
- Greater awareness of both the book and its creators
What are people saying about working with TCBR?
“The Children’s Book Review has reviewed each of my books with candor and perception, building my confidence as well as gently guiding me to write clearer and better. They may say it takes a village to grow a child. I think it takes a dedicated review to grow a writer.” — Carole P. Roman, Award-Winning Author
“If you’re a children’s book writer who wants to get your books in front of thousands of readers and get a ton of great reviews in the process, this is the one-stop-shop for it all.” —Brooke Hartman, Award-Wining Author
“We’ve had a wonderful partnership with The Children’s Book Review. The website is a great springboard for introducing new titles to a large audience concerned and interested in children’s literacy. The performance of our marketing campaigns with you have been outstanding. You have an engaging audience and it shows in the number of giveaway entries and social media. A great website!” —Angela Williams, Consumer Marketing, Dover Publications, Inc.
“Marketing a children’s book can often feel like an uphill battle but The Children’s Book Review makes reaching parents, grandparents and teachers so easy. The service and value is exceptional.” —Keri-Rae Barnum, Executive Director of New Shelves Books
How to Get Started with a Submission?
- Complete the online submission form below
- Select your preferred review option (Editorial or Dedicated)
- Receive response email within 3 business days
- Invoice will be included for review fee and any applicable surcharges
- Upon finalized payment, for digital submissions you’ll be provided with the form to submit:
- Book information
- Contact details
- Press materials
- Supporting documents
- Digital book upload link
- Mailing address
- Instructions for including contact details and supporting materials with your book
- Submit your materials
- Digital formats: Upload through the provided secure link
- Physical copies: Mail to our review address after receiving submission instructions
- We accept most formats, including PDFs and finished books
What Happens After Submission?
For Dedicated Reviews
- Your submission is assigned to a professional reviewer who specializes in children’s literature
- The reviewer thoroughly reads and evaluates your book
- A thoughtful, detailed review is crafted within your selected timeframe (1-2 weeks or 4-5 weeks)
- The review is delivered to you for fact-checking
- Upon your approval, the review is:
- Published on our website
- Featured in an upcoming e-newsletter
- Made available for your marketing use
For Editorial Reviews
- Our editorial team considers all submissions for potential inclusion
- We will contact you within approximately 3 months to let you know if your book is selected or not
- Due to high submission volume, we cannot guarantee review selection
- Selected books receive the same professional review process as our Dedicated Reviews
- Published reviews are featured on our website and may be included in our e-newsletter
Is TCBR Right for Your Book?
Our reviews are NOT for you if:- You’re looking for guaranteed 5-star ratings regardless of content quality
- You want a quick endorsement without thorough reading of your work
- You’re unwilling to receive honest, constructive feedback
- You believe in the quality of your children’s book and want honest, thoughtful assessment
- You’re looking for meaningful visibility to parents, educators, and book buyers
- You value being part of a community that cherishes children’s literature
- You want long-term discoverability that extends beyond initial publication
Additional Resources
- The Art of Getting Your Children’s Book Reviewed
- Book Marketing Opportunities with TCBR
- Children’s Book Author Mentorship
- Check out our Full Story Services for developmental editing and critiques.
Note: These submission guidelines are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a solicitation of any work or materials. Submissions are made at the sender’s own risk of loss or damage. After evaluation, most submitted materials are donated to charities, schools, and libraries.
Submit Your Book Now
Ready to submit? Complete the form below to begin the process. Questions? Just ask, using the same form.