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Tish Rabe: How to Write Children’s Books | How I Write

Overview

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Tish Rabe: How to Write Children’s Books | How I Write

How I Write

6 DAYS AGO
How I Write

How I Write

6 DAYS AGO
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

This episode is presented by Mercury, the banking platform that makes this show possible. I can’t imagine trying to run my business without them. Learn more at https://mercury.com Tish Rabe has written more than 200 children's books. She's written for Disn...

Highlights

In this episode, David Perell sits down with Tish Rabe—a prolific children’s book author whose work spans Sesame Street, Disney, and the beloved Dr. Seuss universe—to explore the craft, heart, and discipline behind writing for young readers.
05:19
Write the ending first to anchor the story’s message and structure
17:28
Animal characters offer inclusive, adaptable storytelling while building page-turning suspense distinct from novels
28:34
Tish Rabe wrote 53 Cat in the Hat books and 20 in The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library for Random House
43:10
Military kids face bullying and frequent school changes, requiring community support
54:17
Everyone knows 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star', and Ugandan teachers confirmed it was perfect for their students
1:00:45
Worked with the Central Park Conservancy to list 24 things to see in Central Park and included tips like leaving balloons at home
1:06:35
One of Rabe's public-domain-based songs was used in the new TMNT movie trailer and earned her substantial payment and credit
1:09:36
Four seagulls flying over a person's head sparked the idea for a commissioned children's book
1:21:19
Audrey Geisel asked Tish Rabe to write 'Oh Baby, The Places You'll Go' to be read in utero

Chapters

What’s the secret to starting a children’s book—with the ending first?
00:00
How do you create characters and pacing that truly match a child’s world?
11:24
Why does every great early reader need rhythm, rhyme, and the right illustrator?
20:16
How did Dr. Seuss—and bedtime stories—shape a lifetime of writing magic?
31:21
Can a nursery rhyme teach astronomy? How melody makes learning stick.
48:42
What happens when science changes—like Pluto losing its planet status?
57:14
How do royalties, flat fees, and movie licensing really work for kids’ books?
1:03:27
What do you do when doubt hits—and how do you launch your own publishing dream?
1:09:36
Why can’t you just translate a rhyming book—and what does Dr. Seuss’s legacy demand?
1:21:19

Transcript

David Perell: Tish Rabe has written more than 200 children's books. She's written for Disney and Sesame Street. And then also, after Dr. Seuss died in the early 90s, she started writing Dr. Seuss books. When she did, she really leaned into his distinct sty...