Picture books are known for their rhythmic, almost musical language. But what are the challenges in writing nonfiction when the story is ABOUT a musician? One of my most difficult writing projects was a picture book biography about musician Bill Monroe. Struggling to find how to explain music in words …
Huge thanks to Picture Book Builders for an opportunity to share THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY! Andrea invited me to write a bit about an aspect of the writing, so I’m going full nerd mode here with one of my favorite tools…imagery. …
Hello, Picture Book Builders people! Today, the spooktacular Jen Anyong, author of the newly released book, The Ghost Who Saved Halloween, is here with a ghost post, errr I mean GUEST post. Heeeeere’s Jen. If you’re like me, sometimes you reflect on the people who’ve come into your life and …
Hello Picture Book Builders! Today I’m thrilled to be able to feature one of my very favorite books of the year, AWE! IT’S EVERYWHERE! and its AWE-some author, Chana Stiefel! Here’s the review I posted of this glorious book when it came out earlier this year: This is an absolutely …
My first look at Becky Janni’s BRANCH, A Resurrection Story (Eerdmans) gave me goosebumps (that cover!). And when I began clicking through the PDF, I kept having to lean in closer. All those details! All those colors and intricate illos! I couldn’t help thinking that this was the most beautiful …
Hello Picture Book Builders! Today is super exciting because it’s the day I welcome my 10th picture book into the world! I WISH THAT YOU KNEW is illustrated by the incredible Alyssa Russell, published by Little Bee Books, and is out in the world TODAY! I am celebrating another milestone …
Hi Builders! One of the things that picture book creators in both the traditional and self publishing realms worry about is marketing! How do you reach people interested in your picture book? When do you make a website? How often should you contact your readers? How does the public know …
Hello, Picture Book Builders! Guess what? It won’t be long until IT WON’T BE LONG is released! 😉 This gorgeous and heartfelt debut by Laura Hays Hoover and illustrated by Jieting Chen will be published by Reycraft Books on September 8th, but is available to pre-order now. You are going …
Hello, Picture Book Builders people. Today, I wanted to focus on one way that I get picture book ideas. It’s a pretty straightforward strategy. I will start with a setting. (As I am sure you know, a setting is where a story takes place.) I will brainstorm a list of …
Last week was National Moth Week. You may have noticed all the posts about these fascinating creatures. And it reminded me of a picture book that I thoroughly enjoyed, Moth~ An Evolution Story by Isabel Thomas and stunningly illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. This award-winning book tells the true story of …