How to Write a Children's Picture Book

Writing teacher and children’s book author, Darcy Pattison explains the craft of writing children’s picture books. Why format matters, how to appeal to kids and parents, writing a read-aloud friendly book, and more. Tips on marketing your manuscript to publishers. Pattison is the author of 11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph, Winner of “The Help” Children's Story Contest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PICTURE BOOK BASICS
Picture Book Structure: Why 32 Pages?
Does EPUB Change the 32-page Illustrated Picture Book?
Dual Audience for Children’s Picture Books
Picture Book Settings: Exotic v. Familiar
Children’s Picture Book Characters: Folk Tale or Modern Story

PICTURE BOOK GENRES
How to Write a Children’s ABC Book
How to Write a Read Aloud Friendly Book
How to Write a Rhyming Picture Book, Part 1 How to Write a Rhyming Picture Book, Part 2 Rhyming Picture Book Bibliography
How to Write a Poetry Collection Picture Book
How to Write a Picture Book Mystery
How to Write a Humorous Picture Book
How to Write a Children’s Picture Book Biography
How to Write a Creative Non-Fiction Picture Book
How to Write a Metafiction Picture Book

WRITE A PICTURE BOOK
Good Writing: The Basics
Plotting a Picture Book
Plan Your First Draft
17 Picture Book Topics to Avoid
10 Suggested Directions for Titles
Did You Write a Picture Book or Magazine Article?
Let’s Make a Dummy or a Mock-up of Your Picture Book
From Shakespeare: 2 Ways to Look at Picture Book Structure
Revising Your Picture Book Text
5 Ways to Make the Reader Turn the Page
Phonics for Picture Book Writers
Create a Compelling Voice for a Picture Book
Page 32: The Last Page of a Picture Book

SUBMIT YOUR PICTURE BOOK
The Self-Publishing Question
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make in Submitting a Picture Book
The Illustrator Doesn’t Tell YOU What to Do
Titles and Subtitles Sell Your Work
How Do I Find an Editor’s Name for Submission?

RESOURCES
APPENDIX: BONUS WORKSHEETS