Picture Book Essentials: A Two-Night Mini

Faculty: Darcy Pattison and Leslie Helakoski

OVERVIEW:

A Two-Night Mini Online Course.

Everyone loves picture books! But writing stories that sell means going beyond a fun idea.  Join award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski for this short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.

• Tuesday, July 18, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
• Thursday, July 20, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
• Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
• You’ll have access to the recordings through August 31, 2023.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Everyone loves picture books! But writing stories that sell means going beyond a fun idea.

In addition to plot, picture book creatives need to consider structure, style, rhythm, word choice, and more.

In this short course, children’s book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski will cover:

• An overview of picture book components
• Structures & styles
• Drafting focusing statements
• Word choice
• Exploring voice

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator, and you’re looking for beginning information about picture book structures and word choice.
• You write chapter books or novels, and wonder if you can write a picture book, too.
• You are considering writing a picture book for children and want to learn more about this genre.
• You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already drafted picture books and want to learn more about considerations when it comes to revising and strengthening your work.
• You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop.  Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your knowledge of the picture book form.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

• At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
• If you can’t attend live, that’s ok!  You’ll have access to the recordings through August 31, 2023.

Part One: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)

• Picture Book components
• Focusing statements
• Alternative structures
• Homework: Create your own focusing statement

Part Two: Thursday, July 20, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)

• Picture book Voice
• Word play
• Limitations
• Homework: Cut your manuscript text

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Picture books are beloved by children and the adults who care about them.  This two-night mini workshop can help you learn more about this amazing storytelling gift.

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.

Resources

How Do You Know If You’ve Written a Picture Book?
Writing Picture Books That Soar
Short and Easy, Right? How Hard Can It Be to Write a Picture Book?
3 Tips for Writing Funny Picture Books
Pointers for Writing Powerful Picture Books
Nonfiction Picture Books: Get it Right with Research

Testimonials

“I was immediately inspired to incorporate ideas into a picture book I’ve been working on, and in fact completed another draft after the second session.”

“Darcy and Leslie were extremely accessible.”

“Please add me to the mailing list for anything and everything related to workshops with these authors!”