Writing Children's Picture Books

Join Julia on a journey through the picture book process, from finding inspiration to selling your first book.

• Find your initial idea
• Write a satisfying storyline
• Use rhyme and language patterns
• Weave in values and life lessons
• Partner with an illustrator
• Get your story published

• Writing Children's Picture Books Introduction
• What is a picture book: variety
• What is a picture book: practicalities
• The initial idea
• Traditional tales as inspiration
• Characters: humans, animals, fairies - and pencils!
• Baddies
• Storyline
• Journeys and quests
• Themes and messages
• The sound of the words
• Patterned language
• Rhyme
• Dialogue
• Humour
• Endings
• Numbers, letters, colours
• Inclusivity: reflecting the world
• The role of the illustrator
• Author / illustrator partnership
• Which illustrator?
• Case study: The Snail and the Whale
• The agent
• The editor
• Performance and promotion
• Adaptation for stage and screen
• Conclusion