Writing Picture Books

When someone tells me they want to write a children's book, they are usually thinking of a picture book. However, this is the most crowded, competitive genre for a beginner to break into. It’s one of the most difficult genres to master. It’s even harder to do well if you write in rhyme. Let's look at some of the types of picture books and some things to keep in mind if you still want to tackle one.

Types of picture books:

--traditional 32-page picture book:

                         usually for the 4 to 8 year old reader or a read-to-me (lap) book
                           Jump! by Guy Porfirio

--picture story book --  can be longer, 48 pages, more text, targets readers 8 to 10 or older.

                               The King’s Equal  by Katherine Patterson

--nonfiction or informational picture book -- for all ages
                            Animals that Live in Groups by Kelsi Tjernagel

                            Coyote School News by Joan Sandin
                          

age range:  usually 4 to 8, some target older readers

length:     from 0 to 1500 words, rarely over 2000 words,  shorter is better, 

                aim for 200-500 words, 1-4 manuscript pages, double-spaced

Things to keep in mind:

Picturability:   The book should have at least 14 different active scenes to illustrate. There should be movement and changes of scenes. ACTION!   CONFLICT! Leave out most description unless it’s necessary for the story line to be understood. Study picture books and note the number of illustrations (even spot art) and how they compliment the text.

                   

Language:   It should sing, have rhythm, have perfect words in perfect places.  Repetition of words or phrases is helpful, as is predictability. Kids like to guess what comes next. Use fun words, active verbs. Think about page turns. Do you invite the reader to keep going? Read your text out loud. Does it flow? Read it again. Will it stand up to 100 read-alouds?

To rhyme or not:  Straight prose is easier to write and sell. Good rhyming text is very hard to do. Do not try using ‘near rhyme’ (silly/belly, ant/and, heart/card) or ‘forced meter’. The beats should sound the same no matter who reads it. Above all, don’t try to be Dr. Seuss.

examples:   Way Out in the Desert by Jennifer Ward

                   Sailor Moo by Lisa Wheeler

                   The Hound from the Pound by Jessica Swaim

                   Cool Dog, School Dog by Deborah Heiligman

FIVE COMMON STORY PROBLEMS

1.The Rehash of a classic story you loved as a child. The problem: Not coming up with a fresh approach. The solution: Analyze what makes that story/theme timeless. How does the character face a challenge and overcome it? How can you make your version unique? Example: Joe Cinders by Marianne Mitchell (a cowboy Cinderella)

2. The Character Who is Different: (rabbit who can’t hop, cat who barks)

The problem: The poor character must do something extraordinary to prove to himself and others that he is just fine. The solution: Focus on small everyday victories rather than trying tomake your character some kind of super-hero. Example: Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

3.  The Talking Animal Story: The problem:  alliterative names: Benny the Bunny, Ricky Roadrunner, Davy Dove. They end up as stereotypes without their own personalities. The solution: Animals need to be unique individuals, have something to say that matters. They can behave as real animals do, or they can be stand-ins for children. Examples: Just Like My Papa by Toni Buzzeo, Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler, Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague.

4. The Inanimate Object:  The Cloud Who Cried, The Pencil Who Came to Life, The Ice Cube Who Wanted to be a Cowboy. The problem:  almost impossible to sell…plus kids can’t relate. The solution: tough! you need a unique angle. Exceptions: toys and stuffed animals OK, but avoid clichéd plot lines. Two recent examples that worked: Little Red Writing by Joan Holub (pencils are 'children' at school learning to write a book) and The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (the crayons get very emotional about the way they're being used).

5. Mood Pieces:  These are quiet books without a definite story line but they rely on feelings or relationships, such as intergenerational stories. The problem: these are very hard to sell. The solution: give your story memorable characters and a plot. Example: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (By the way, Jane has over 300 published books but she has dozens of these quiet stories in her drawer that she can’t sell.)

One last thought:

Many of the stories we think are picture book stories are really magazine stories. By reading LOTS of picture books and LOTS of magazine stories, you will learn the differences. Hint: pictureability (see above).