What tenses are used in children's books. Present or past. If both, which is used more often?
Oh, my. What kinds of books are you considering?
Chapter books for elementary kids?
Picture books for preschool?
Beginning reader books?
Classic stories?
More modern stories?
I suggest you go to the library and look at dozens of books in the category you're considering. Are they in the past or present tense?
I have to write a children's book on the life of a WWI soldier and I'm not sure which tense to use. It's a picture book with about 450 words
Start writing the book and see which sounds more natural to you. For me, I think the past tense would be easier.
Then, be sure you're consistent.
If i am writing in past tense. would this be considered past tense, He had to learn positions, weapons and how utilize them when fighting in war. if not, how could i change it?
That's fine.
In children's books, both present and past tenses can be used, depending on the story and the intended audience. The choice of tense is often influenced by the narrative style and the type of story being told.
Present tense is commonly used in children's books because it creates a sense of immediacy and allows young readers to feel more connected to the story. This helps engage their active imaginations and encourages them to participate in the events as they unfold.
On the other hand, past tense is also frequently used in children's books. It is often employed in traditional storytelling or when the events being described have already occurred. Past tense can provide a more traditional and classic storytelling feel, giving a sense of distance and perspective to the narrative.
The choice of tense in children's books ultimately depends on the author's creative decisions and the style of the story being written. Both present and past tenses are commonly used, and there is no set ratio or fixed rule regarding which tense is used more often.