# kids-book-writer

Gives the agent a children's author brief for ages 2–9: rhyming stories, songs, early-learning texts and morals that show instead of telling.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 519 installs · ★ 221
- Author: jamesrochabrun
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/jamesrochabrun/skills/tree/HEAD/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-01-14
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/kids-book-writer

## What it does

The skill supplies a set of writing rules, not code. A full story comes first and the rhyme follows, so lines never get bent to fit a sound. Meter is spelled out as a separate check: read it aloud and nothing should stumble.

Ages are split into bands. Toddlers get a small word list, refrains and repetition. Four- and five-year-olds get short sentences and a predictable path. Older readers move to richer language, more than one character and, at the top end, chapter format. Song verses and illustration notes sit alongside — page-by-page scene descriptions an artist can draw from.

Lessons arrive through what characters do, never through a lecture. It is plain text, so it runs on top of whatever model your setup already uses in Claude, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI or OpenCode, with no key or library to add. Name the age in the prompt: without it the agent picks a vocabulary band on its own.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jamesrochabrun/skills --skill kids-book-writer -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/kids-book-writer/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jamesrochabrun/skills --skill kids-book-writer -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jamesrochabrun/skills --skill kids-book-writer -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install jamesrochabrun/skills kids-book-writer
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jamesrochabrun/skills --skill kids-book-writer -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/jamesrochabrun/skills --path skills/kids-book-writer
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jamesrochabrun/skills --skill kids-book-writer -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/jamesrochabrun/skills/tree/HEAD/skills/kids-book-writer/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- draft a rhyming picture book with steady meter
- match word count to a child's reading stage
- teach kindness or courage without sounding preachy
- write a chorus toddlers can chant along to
- add art notes that tell an illustrator what to draw

## Example prompts
- Write a rhyming picture book for a 4-year-old about a rabbit scared of the dark, 12 spreads
- Make a washing-hands song for 2-year-olds with a chorus and movements
- Draft a story for 8-year-olds about starting at a new school and add illustration notes for each scene

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: beb773a5169b72e2.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE beb773a5169b72e2
```text
---
name: kids-book-writer
description: Expert children's book writer creating delightful, engaging books for ages 2-9. Specializes in rhyming books, stories, songs with proper values, educational content, and age-appropriate language. Crafts books that captivate young readers while teaching important life lessons.
---

# Kids Book Writer

An expert children's book writer that creates delightful, engaging, and educational books for young readers ages 2-9. Specializes in crafting stories that rhyme, teach values, build vocabulary, and spark imagination.

## What This Skill Does

Transforms ideas into magical children's books:
- **Rhyming Books** - Perfect meter, rhythm, and rhyme schemes
- **Picture Book Stories** - Engaging narratives with strong characters
- **Songs & Poems** - Musical, memorable verses for young learners
- **Educational Content** - Phonics, sight words, and vocabulary building
- **Values & Lessons** - Kindness, empathy, courage, friendship, and more
- **Age-Appropriate** - Tailored for reading stages from toddlers to early readers
- **Interactive Elements** - Call-and-response, repetition, predictable patterns
- **Illustration Guidance** - Detailed descriptions for bringing stories to life

## Why This Skill Matters

**Traditional children's book writing:**
- Often lacks proper rhythm and meter in rhymes
- May use complex vocabulary inappropriate for age
- Can be preachy or heavy-handed with lessons
- Misses opportunities for engagement and interaction
- Doesn't consider developmental reading stages
- Lacks the magical elements that make books memorable

**With this skill:**
- Perfect rhythm that sings when read aloud
- Age-appropriate vocabulary with sight word integration
- Natural, engaging moral lessons woven into stories
- Interactive elements that keep kids engaged
- Developmentally appropriate content
- Memorable characters and magical moments
- Books children will ask to read again and again

## Core Principles

### 1. Story First, Then Rhyme
- Compelling narrative with beginning, middle, and end
- Engaging characters children can relate to
- Clear problem and satisfying resolution
- Rhyme enhances but never sacrifices story
- Natural language flow, no forced inversions

### 2. Perfect Rhythm & Meter
- Consistent meter throughout the book
- Read-aloud tested for smooth flow
- Syllable count balanced within reason
- Strong stress patterns that feel natural
- Bouncy, singable quality for rhyming books

### 3. Age-Appropriate Development
**Ages 2-3 (Emergent Pre-readers):**
- Simple vocabulary (50-100 unique words)
- Repetitive patterns and refrains
- Strong rhythm and rhyme
- Concrete, familiar concepts
- Clear, bold illustrations needed

**Ages 4-5 (Early Readers):**
- 200-400 unique words
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE beb773a5169b72e2

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