How to Make a Picture Book

by Elys Dolan (Author) Elys Dolan (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Everyone has a story to tell--and now you can learn how to tell it in your own picture book, using this helpful, humor-filled guide from an award-winning creator.

Have you ever wanted to create your own story--and capture it for posterity? Elys Dolan brings her comic touch to the process by portraying her narrator-self as a friendly worm (it's quicker to draw than a person!). How do you come up with something to write about? Build and flesh out your story? Use color and space effectively? From combining two favorite things to form a story idea to "interviewing" your characters to physically putting a book together, the author walks readers through some surprisingly comprehensive beginners' techniques that may have something to offer even seasoned storytellers. This witty, fun, conversational, step-by-step guide--part picture book, part activity book--is packed with prompts, exercises, tips, and jokes. So find your inspiration, grab your pens and pencils, and get making!

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Hardcover
$17.99

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

K-Gr 4--An engaging and informative guide that skillfully demystifies the art of storytelling for young readers. The author, inserting herself into the text as a narrating worm, excels in breaking down complex narrative elements, such as characters, plot, and setting into bite-size, relatable concepts that children can easily grasp. By using familiar items like dinosaurs and pizza, the book transforms abstract storytelling mechanics into tangible and delightful examples that will captivate young minds. The discussion on art and color is equally compelling. Dolan deftly explores how different hues can evoke a range of emotions, enriching readers' understanding of the visual aspects of storytelling. This emphasis on the interplay between text and art highlights the holistic nature of picture books, where every element contributes to the overall narrative. One of the standout features of this guide is the innovative use of text as a form of art. The typography and layout are designed to complement the content, creating a dynamic reading experience that emphasizes the notion of stories as living, breathing entities. VERDICT This is not just an instructional manual but a celebration of the art of storytelling. It's a must-read for aspiring young authors and artists, providing them with the tools and inspiration to create their own literary masterpieces.--Jessica Calaway

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Kirkus

A pint-size masterclass for aspiring picture-book creators.

ALA/Booklist

An engaging and welcoming book for young creators seeking an on-ramp to authorship.

Elys Dolan
Elys Dolan is an award-winning author-illustrator who makes picture books about everything from seagull detectives to capitalist bunny rabbits, weasels plotting world domination to marauding doughnuts. Her many books include Weasels, Knighthood for Beginners, Mr. Bunny's Chocolate Factory, and How the Borks Became: An Adventure in Evolution. She lives in Cambridge, England.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781536231427
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
August 13, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF001000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Activity Books
JNF029010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Language Arts | Composition & Creative Writing
JNF006070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | Techniques
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Authorship
Children's literature
Technique
Cartooning

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