How to Self-Publish a Children’s Book: Platforms, Formats, and Making the Most of Kindle Unlimited

Self-publishing a children’s book has never been more accessible—or more rewarding. Whether you're a parent with a bedtime story to share or a creative mind with a stack of imaginative tales, self-publishing lets you bring your vision to life without waiting on a traditional publisher. But once the story is written and illustrated, a big question remains: Where and how should you publish it?

In this post, we’ll walk through the best self-publishing platforms for children’s books, explore which formats make the most sense, and take a deep dive into how Kindle Unlimited (KU) can actually become your biggest source of income—just like it has for me.

Why Self-Publish a Children’s Book in the First Place?

Traditional publishing can take years, requires a lot of gatekeepers, and often comes with creative limitations. Self-publishing, on the other hand, offers freedom:

• -You keep creative control.
• -You set your pricing.
• -You get your book in readers' hands faster.
• -You earn a higher royalty per sale.

For children's book authors—especially those just starting out—this path is an exciting way to build an audience, test your ideas, and see your book in print and online with minimal upfront investment.

Where to Publish Your Children’s Book: Top Self-Publishing Platforms

There are several publishing platforms available, but not all are created equal—especially when it comes to children's books.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

If you choose only one platform, make it Amazon KDP. It’s where the majority of book sales (and page reads through KU) happen. With Kindle Direct Publishing, you can publish:

• -eBooks (including Kindle Unlimited)
• -Paperbacks
• -Hardcovers (in beta, but available to most authors)

KDP also gives you access to global Amazon marketplaces and allows for pricing flexibility, royalties up to 70%, and access to powerful tools like Kindle Unlimited.

Draft2Digital

Great for distributing your eBook to multiple retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. However, you’ll need to opt out of Kindle Select (which gives you access to KU) if you publish your eBook through both Draft2Digital and Amazon.

IngramSpark

Best known for print distribution, especially if you're aiming to get your hardcover or paperback into libraries, bookstores, or schools. It does cost to publish here, but you get access to wholesale catalogs retailers use.

Paperback, Hardcover, eBook: Which Formats Should You Choose?

Each format has a role to play, especially in children’s publishing:

Paperback

• -Budget-friendly for parents and schools
• -Lightweight and easy to ship
• -Ideal for series and casual readers

Hardcover

• -More durable, especially for picture books
• -Great for gifts and library shelves
• -Higher production cost, but more premium feel

eBook

• -Lower cost to produce
• -Instant global distribution
• -Useful for early readers or chapter books

Pro Tip: Start with paperback and eBook. If the book performs well—or if it’s particularly giftable—add a hardcover version using KDP’s hardcover option or IngramSpark for broader distribution.

How Kindle Unlimited Can Make or Break Your Earnings

Here’s the honest truth from my experience: most of my income doesn’t come from book sales—it comes from page reads on Kindle Unlimited.

When you enroll your eBook in KDP Select, it becomes available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Each time a reader flips through your book, you earn money based on the number of pages they read. For children’s books, especially chapter books, those page reads add up fast.

Why KU is especially powerful for children’s books:

• -Parents love free access to books through the KU subscription.
• -Kids often re-read books, which means multiple rounds of page reads.
• -Shorter books get finished more often, leading to full payouts.

In a highly competitive market, KU helps get your book into more hands—especially since Amazon gives extra visibility to KU titles in search results and recommendations.

Amazon KDP vs. Draft2Digital vs. IngramSpark: What You Need to Know

When it comes to choosing where to publish your children's book, each platform has its own strengths. Amazon KDP is the best all-in-one option for most indie authors. It’s free to use and lets you publish eBooks, paperbacks, and even hardcovers. Most importantly, it gives you access to Kindle Unlimited, where many children's authors earn the bulk of their income through page reads.

Draft2Digital is another excellent option if you want to distribute your eBook to retailers beyond Amazon—like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others. It’s also free to use. However, if you want your book enrolled in Kindle Unlimited (which requires KDP Select exclusivity for eBooks), you’ll need to publish your eBook on Amazon separately and avoid sending that version through Draft2Digital.

IngramSpark is a great choice if you want your paperback or hardcover books available to libraries and bookstores. And while IngramSpark used to charge fees to publish, they’ve since removed those fees—so now you can upload and distribute your print books for free. IngramSpark also offers premium print options and access to wholesale catalogs, making it especially useful if you're aiming for school or library placement. Just note that like Draft2Digital, it doesn’t offer access to Kindle Unlimited.

Tips for Maximizing Your Book’s Visibility on Amazon

Once your book is published, getting it seen is half the battle. Here are some key strategies to help:

• -Use Relevant Keywords and Categories: Choose specific terms parents would search (e.g., “bedtime story for toddlers”).
• -Enable “Look Inside”: This lets readers preview your book, especially important for children’s books where illustrations and tone matter.
• -Optimize Your Book Description: Use short paragraphs, bold headers, and clear benefits for the reader.
• -Invest in a Great Cover: Professional, engaging covers build trust and drive clicks.
• -Run Free Promotions or 99¢ Deals (via KU): Great for visibility and long-term page reads.

Focus on What Sells and What Scales

When you're self-publishing a children’s book, it's tempting to try everything. But focus is your friend.

Start with Amazon KDP—it's where the readers are, where the page reads add up, and where you’ll likely make most of your money. Add paperbacks and eBooks first, then experiment with hardcovers if your book has gift potential.

Most importantly, take advantage of Kindle Unlimited. It’s not just a bonus feature—it can be the core of your income as a children's book author.

Whether you’re publishing your first story or growing a series, self-publishing gives you the freedom to build your own path—and the tools to succeed.