Tell Me a Story… Or, How to Write a Picture Book in Four Easy Lessons

            Ahhh….Picture books! Deceptively-simple, these illustrated books tell a complete story in about 500 words. These are tiny books that speak volumes – that reach our hearts and provide bite-size bits of philosophy. The Little Engine that Could, Where the Wild Things Are, A Snowy Day… These are stories kids want to hear over and over (and over). But, how does this magic happen? What are the keys to writing picture books? And do you have a story that only you can tell? One that needs telling?

            In this workshop, we’ll cover different types of picture books. Participants will gain an understanding of the form, hear a brief history of picture books, and (begin to) learn how to write a picture book. Come with an idea (or two) for a story to tell in picture book form. Recommended text: Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul, Writers Digest Books, Cincinnati, Ohio. Participants are encouraged to read recent, traditionally-published picture books (i.e., not self-published and preferably books not written by the same person who illustrated them) prior to class. In addition, please bring a favorite (traditionally-published) picture book to the class. No drawing skills required.

             Linda Elovitz Marshall is the award-winning author of almost two dozen traditionally published picture books, fiction and non-fiction. Her books have been translated into Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Russian, and Italian. www.lindamarshall.com