The article is titled HOW TO WRITE A PICTURE BOOK IN 18 STEPS. I clearly did not write this article as it takes me about 2,184 steps to write a picture book, many of which are backwards. But take a look and tell me what you think. Personally I think it's a good start, but oh my goodness there is so much more to it than this.
It's picture book month so I had to share a fabulous new find, THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF THE HUMAN BODY. I mean, who doesn't love a little nonfiction, right? Learn more here:
Dream #10,824 of mine is to publish a board book (better yet - a serie sof board books), so obviosuly I have to talk about Cottage Door Press.
Their website says it best "Cottage Door Press was founded with a simple yet profound mission: to create connection and spark imagination through the magic of storytelling. From our earliest days, we became a beloved name in children’s publishing, capturing the hearts of young readers and their families with enchanting characters, vibrant illustrations, and engaging, multi-sensory formats. With best-selling series like Peek-a-Flap, and innovations such as the Luna StoryTime Projector, we have worked to transform story time into an extraordinary journey where learning and wonder come alive. Our dedication to nurturing early childhood development through imaginative storytelling has earned us a trusted spot on family bookshelves around the world... At Cottage Door Press, we believe in the power of stories to unite generations and ignite imaginations. From toddlers delighting in their first words to adults exploring new activities, we remain dedicated to enriching lives, one story—or activity—at a time."
Check out Tonnye Fletcher, the beautiful mind and soul behind PBJamz - a blog about picture books with musical hooks. It is SO good.
Sweetly affirming and quietly clever.
One mild, sunny day, a town slowly awakens.
“Empty sidewalks doze. / Tree boughs gently sway. / Main Street blinks awake, quiet, still, and gray.” Minimally detailed, purplish drawings of two-story houses with subtle facial features move across the gutter in the foreground, while in the background, yellow sunbeams shine down on trash bins with sleepy smiles. “Soft light slowly spreads, / bin by sleepy bin. / Flag scoots up the pole. / Produce van pulls in.” Bailey’s text continues its easy rhythm and rhyme, combining charming whimsy such as a lamppost standing up straight and eggs that “scramble onto plates” with realistic, everyday events including workers opening shops, cleaning clock faces, and scrubbing sewer covers. Onward to flowers that “primp and preen” (Bailey makes rich use of vocabulary) and street market tents that smile! Lee’s naïve artwork perfectly complements the verse, planting subtle smiles on all manner of things living and nonliving. Keen observers of the art will notice a ubiquitous red cat that’s finally called out in the text toward the end. A diverse human population appears throughout; a bird’s-eye view of the town square is especially noteworthy. This book is best shared in an intimate setting so readers can spend time poring over the illustrations—crucial to the appreciation of the warm, lulling words.
Sweetly affirming and quietly clever. (Picture book. 4-8)
I'm still new to the world of podcasts (thoug yes, I've been on a few for book promotion!), but boy I am excited about this one! It is geared towards adult authors, so I may just have to introduce myself :D
Want to be an author that gets hired to visit schools and libraries and literacy events and stores? Then check out the link below, which is a brilliant podcast about just that sort of thing:
