Picture Books
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| © Junco Nagano |
General Resources
SCBWI - the Society for Children's Book Writers & Ilustrators. The organization that every children's writer and illustrator must join.
Linda Ashman The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books
Linda Ashman The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books
Children's Book Hub - a paid subscription service with information about children's books, led by Emma Walton Hamilton
Children's Book Insider - a paid subscription service to a fount of information about writing children's books, a monthly newsletter with tips about publishers and agents, writing courses, and more.
Mem Fox This is an AWESOME list of 20 Do's and Don'ts of picture book writing from award winning author Mem Fox.
Darcy Pattison How to Write a Picture Book Resources
The Purple Crayon - Harold Underdown, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, has a site chock full of resources and information, including an introductory article on the Basics of Children's Publishing
The Purple Crayon - Harold Underdown, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, has a site chock full of resources and information, including an introductory article on the Basics of Children's Publishing
Susan Uhlig's link is full of resources from books to blog posts DEFINITELY check it out/bookmark!
Check out picture book courses we recommend in
Writing Courses.
12x12 - don't miss out on one of the premier communities of picture book writers and illustrators. A paid membership gets you monthly webinars, critique opportunities, a great member forum, and much more.
Courses
Express PB Coaching FREE Mini-video Series. Dive into this bite-size coaching series and master the art of preparing your picture book manuscript for submission with practical, easy-to-follow advice tailored for aspiring authors. Learn about manuscript readiness (word count, character development, and creating impactful takeaways, ensuring your story is polished and submission-ready): story enhancement (spot and fix plot holes, optimize text for illustrations, and master the technique of "show, don't tell" to enrich your narrative and engage your readers), character depth and dialogue (craft intriguing characters with clear stakes, and write authentic, age-appropriate dialogue that drives your story forward and resonates with your audience), and more.
Formatting/ Templates
Illustration Notes: To Include or Not to Include. . .
Leslie Helrakoski and Darcy Pattison: Word Choices: Writing Picture Books that Soar
Tips for Writing Picture Books: Show Don't Tell
The 3 Most Common Reasons I Pass on Picture Books as an Agent
What Makes a Good Ending?
Classic Picture Book Structure: Easy Breakdown
Plot and Story Arc
Vivian Kirkfield on Showing versus Telling Strategies
Ten Top Picture Book Writing Tips
Writing Humor
Story Arc/Narrative
3 Big Tips for Writing a Children’s Picture Book Like a Pro
6 Plot Points for Children’s Books (MUST-HAVES)
How Picture Books Can Save Novelists from the Dreaded Rewrite
What Makes a Good Ending?
Classic Picture Book Structure: Easy Breakdown
Plot and Story Arc
Vivian Kirkfield on Showing versus Telling Strategies
Ten Top Picture Book Writing Tips
Art Notes
Art Notes are Action Notes!
Character Driven Books
Revising/Editing a Picture Book
A Picture Book Editing Checklist
"De-Rhyming" or Converting Your Verse Picture Book to Prose
Three Ways to Tackle Your Next Picture Book Revisions
Three Ways to Tackle Your Next Picture Book Revisions
Picture Book Revision Tips From Two Editors
Picture Book Focus: Top Tips for Revision (The Little Stuff)Marketing
Showing vs. Telling in (Picture Book) Pitches
Study the Best Picture Books
Meet Best Kids’ Books--a curation of children’s literature handpicked by teachers, librarians, and parents.
Caldecott Award Winners 1938-present
Cybils Literary Awards
The Top 100 Children's Books in the Last 100 Years
Perfect Picture Books - a searchable database to find picture books by theme or topic
Pixar Shorts: Mentor Texts for PBs
Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature
Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University
Do You Really Need Comp Titles?
Cybils Literary Awards
The Top 100 Children's Books in the Last 100 Years
Perfect Picture Books - a searchable database to find picture books by theme or topic
Pixar Shorts: Mentor Texts for PBs
Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature
Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University
Do You Really Need Comp Titles?
Wordless Picture Books
Writing a Near Wordless Picture Book? Study Linda Ashman's RAIN manuscript.
The Business of Picture Books
Writing Picture Books, A Look at the Numbers (Part 2) (Part 1 here - Habits of PB writers)
Board Books