The Power of Comparison Books to Find Your Book’s Perfect Readers
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #07
When my daughter was little, I quickly realized she had a very specific taste in picture books—the sillier, the better. If a book was over-the-top and ridiculous, she was all in. It started with the Pig the Pug series by Aaron Blabey and Who Flung Dung? by Ben Redlich (which I’m pretty sure my husband enjoyed even more than her).
The point is, once I saw what she loved, I didn’t just pick random books off the shelf—I looked for similar books with that same kind of absurd humour. That’s how we ended up with her absolute favourite–The Worst Book in the Whole Entire World series by Joey Ackerman. She laughed hysterically at each one of those and I think we could recite them all off by heart eventually. (And, lucky for me, I have the same ridiculous sense of humour and enjoyed them thorougly!
So, I knew which books were a safe bet to get from the library or to buy.
Successful authors understand this. They don’t try to reinvent the wheel—they position their books alongside existing, well-loved titles. Publishers and booksellers do this too. Have you ever noticed how bookstores arrange books in sections like “For Fans of Elephant & Piggie” or “If You Love Dragons Love Tacos, Try These”? That’s because comparison works. Readers feel more confident buying books when they can easily understand where they fit in.
This doesn’t mean your book has to be a copy of something that already exists. Instead, it means you can strategically position your book in a way that highlights both its uniqueness and its connection to successful titles. If parents are looking for books like Ada Twist, Scientist, and your picture book is also about a curious girl who loves STEM, that’s an opportunity. If librarians know Last Stop on Market Street is a hit, and your book has a similar heartwarming message about community, they’ll be more likely to take interest.
So instead of thinking, “My book is completely different from anything out there!”, try asking, “Which books is my book similar to—and how can I use that to my advantage?” Understanding this is the key to helping your book find its perfect readers.
Your book isn’t competing with every children’s book—it’s joining a specific group of books.
This relates to a marketing principle called “positioning”.
Positioning is how a product (your book) is viewed in relation to other products (books) in the same market. It can be viewed as:
- very similar (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth)
- or different (I immediately thought of Pepsi positioning itself in opposition to Coke, and then found this interesting article that explains positioning). A good example is Kelly Tills positioning her books as different to what’s out there (and undesirable):
It says: Hey parents, are you… tired of bad old ideas ruining a good story?
All you wanted was to enjoy some story time with your kids (um… and maybe get them to Go. To. Sleep.) when WHAM! here come the old tropes to ruin the mood.
So many stories about inclusion start off with bullying or exclusion. Other books come off as preachy, not fun. Still others perpetuate stereotypes in the name of being funny.
I started writing because I was tired of constantly getting stuck changing words or addressing these out-dated ideas on the fly.
How about we just skip the yucky stuff?
No bullying. No unkind words. No preaching.
Just oodles of giggles with your tiny human.
One of the fastest ways for someone to understand something is by comparing it to something they already know, and positioning helps frame your book in a way that feels both familiar and distinct. It helps readers, buyers, and industry professionals quickly understand what your book is about, who it’s for, and why they should care.
Good positioning balances similarity and uniqueness:
- Similarity: Connecting your book to well-known titles gives readers an immediate point of reference.
- Uniqueness: Highlighting what makes your book different ensures it isn’t seen as just a copy.
For example: “A laugh-out-loud picture book for fans of Pig the Pug, but featuring a mischievous raccoon!”
By positioning your book effectively, you make it easier to market, sell, and connect with the right audience.
Comp Titles
That’s where comparison titles (aka comp titles or comp books) come in.
Comparison books help you:
- Identify what is already successful in the market.
- Position your book in a way that feels familiar but fresh.
- Make marketing easier by targeting readers who already love similar books.
Let’s look at how to find and use comparison books effectively.
1. Identify Your Comparison Books
You can use positioning effectively to sell your book by understanding what similar books (comp titles) are already successful in the marketplace.
To find the best comp books for your work, look for 3–5 successful titles that:
- Share a similar theme, tone, or style with your book.
- Target the same age group as you are targeting (e.g., picture books for ages 3–5).
- Have strong engagement and positive reviews.
Where to Find Comparison Books
- Amazon: Search for relevant keywords and check the “Customers Also Bought” section.
- Bookstores: Browse books in your category to see what’s prominent.
- Bestseller Lists: Check Amazon, New York Times, Indie Bestseller lists, etc.
2. Study How Comp Titles are Marketed
Comp titles aren’t just handy references—they’re a secret weapon for marketing your book. By looking at how successful books in your category are positioned and promoted, you can create a smart strategy to connect with the right readers.
Once you’ve identified 3–5 comp titles, research how they are presented to the market. Look for patterns in their messaging, visuals, and sales strategies.
Examine Their Book Descriptions
- Search for your comp titles on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and publisher websites.
- Pay attention to the keywords and phrases used in their descriptions. Are they emphasizing humour, STEM themes, bedtime routines, or social-emotional learning?
- Take note of what makes these books stand out. What special qualities do they highlight to attract readers? For example:
- “A laugh-out-loud read-aloud for bedtime battles.”
- “Perfect for fans of Mo Willems and Jon Klassen.”
- Look at reviews—what do readers love most about these books? This can help you shape how you describe your own book.
Look at Cover Design & Illustrations
- What colours, fonts, and illustration styles are trending in your genre?
- Books visually communicate their themes through elements like cover design, colour schemes, typography, and illustration style. These visual choices help signal the book’s genre, tone, and target audience at a glance. Pay attention to this in each comp title you find.
- For example: Bright, bold colours and playful fonts often indicate a humorous or lighthearted book, while soft, muted colours with gentle illustrations suggest a warm, emotional, or nostalgic story.
Note the similarities between action-adventure MG books’ covers.
Analyze Their Sales & Marketing Strategies
Check where and how they are being promoted—are they featured in parenting blogs, librarian lists, or book subscription boxes?
You can do this by looking up your comp books on Google, Goodreads, and Amazon to see if they’ve been featured in parenting blogs, librarian recommendations, or influencer lists. You can tell if a book has been featured in these places by looking for:
Search Engine Results – Search the book title along with keywords like “review,” “recommended by,” “best books for [age/theme],” or “featured in.” Example: “Pig the Pug review” may show if it’s been mentioned in parenting blogs.
Goodreads Lists – Check if the book appears in curated lists like Best Funny Picture Books or Top Picks for Librarians. Look under the book’s “Lists With This Book” section on Goodreads.
Amazon Editorial Reviews – Scroll down to see if the book has quotes from review sites, bloggers, or professional organisations like Kirkus, School Library Journal, or The Guardian.
Social Media Mentions – Search the book title and hashtags ((#ReadAloud, #PictureBookLove, #BooksForKids) related to the book on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, or check if influencers in the parenting, teaching, or librarian communities have posted about it.
Publisher or Author Websites – Many publishers and authors list media features, awards, and endorsements on their websites. Look for a “Press” or “In the Media” section.
Do they include bonus content like activity sheets, discussion guides, or read-aloud videos?
By studying these elements, you can create a compelling book description, cover design, and marketing plan that models what works while still being unique.
3. Position Your Book Using Comparison Books
Once you’ve analyzed your comp titles, put your insights into action to strengthen your book’s marketability.:
- Use similar successful keywords in your book’s description.
- Highlight a unique angle that fills a market gap.
- Pitch to the right audience (e.g., librarians, teachers, parenting groups).
- Follow similar marketing strategies (e.g., guest blogging, influencer outreach).
Craft a “Like X but with Y” Pitch
This formula helps buyers, agents, and publishers quickly understand your book’s appeal.
Examples:
- “For fans of Dragons Love Tacos, this laugh-out-loud story brings a silly twist to picky eating.”
- “If you loved Percy Jackson & The Olympians, this action-packed adventure blends mythology with a modern mystery.”
- “If you loved Ada Twist, Scientist, this STEM book for girls offers another inspiring adventure.”
Where to Use This Positioning
- Book Descriptions: On Amazon, your website, and press materials.
- Pitching to Libraries/Bookstores: Example: “This book will appeal to fans of [successful book title].”
Marketing Copy: For social media ads, flyers or pamphlets, email campaigns, and outreach to influencers.
This approach helps the right readers actually find your book. By using comp titles to guide your marketing, you’ll give your book the best chance to land in the hands of those who will love it most.
Your Book Isn’t Like Every Book—And That’s a Good Thing
Many new authors think casting the widest net is best—but trying to appeal to everyone results in generic, forgettable positioning.
Instead, lean into your unique angle. Your book should feel familiar but also stand out.
Example: If your book is like Goodnight Moon but introduces mindfulness techniques for winding down, emphasise how it offers a fresh take on a beloved bedtime tradition.
Takeaway: The best marketing balances relatability and originality.
Real Examples
When Clare Helen Welsh’s picture book Sunny Side Up was released, she and her publisher knew they needed to make it easy for parents, teachers, and booksellers to understand its appeal. So instead of just describing the book, they positioned it alongside popular titles like Happy by Nicola Edwards and The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas—books that also help young kids understand emotions.
Over to You!
Ask yourself:
- “What books do your ideal readers already love?”
- “What makes your book similar yet different?”
Look for some comp titles, hit reply and share some of your comp books
Want Expert Help With Your Book?
If you’d like support in positioning your book effectively and getting it into the hands of the right readers, I’d love to help!
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Check out my Children’s Book Mastery coaching program, where I guide children’s book authors through writing, publishing, and marketing successfully. You’ll find all the details—including a video explaining how it works—right here:
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