The Top 3 Considerations and Top 3 Pitfalls of Children’s Picture Books
Although this post is primarily aimed at those self-publishing picture books, there are some valid points in this post for all picture book writers to consider.
A great an in-depth overview on the various elements that go into writing a picture book. I love the diagram included at the end.
Casey McCormick has compiled a post on appropriate word counts for picture books based on her knowledge as an agent intern and research (she lists her sources at the end of the post if you want to check them out).
12 Common Picture Book Mistakes
A list of common errors picture book writers make.
Story Skeletons: Teaching Plot Structure with Picture Books
Although this post is meant to be a teaching tool for young readers/writers in the classroom, it’s a great post for writers of picture books as well. It focuses on the basic structures used in picture story books and includes examples of each structure.
5 Rules for a Breakout Picture Book: A Quick and Dirty Guide
An editor gives 5 tips on making your picture book great.
5 Tips for Creating Characters for Kids
Character development is not just important for novel length manuscripts, it’s important to create fully developed characters for children’s stories and picture books as well.
Picture Book Construction: Know Your Layout
A must read post for picture book writers on picture book layout and having an awareness of page breaks.
Tips for Writing Picture Books
5 great tips for writers of picture books.
Getting Your Children’s Book Published
A checklist of things you need to do when preparing to send your MS to publishers, specifically for children’s writers.
Only One Published Book? Aaack!
What picture book writers can do on library/school visits if they only have one published book.
Do You Want to Write Books for Children?
This post covers some common misconceptions and mistakes made by picture book writers and how you can fix/avoid them.
Try This Picture Book Editing Checklist
For anyone out there writing or editing a picture book this is a great checklist to refer to, from the editors of Children’s Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children’s Writers.
Writing the Longer Picture Book
Mara Rockliff talks about writing longer picture books (over 600 words), including important tips for authors to keep in mind when writing a longer picture book.
How Not to Write a Rhyming Picture Book
Children’s author Juliet Clare Bell shares her 7 top tips on how not to write a rhyming picture book.
9 Factors That Make a Picture Book Successful
If you are a picture book writer this is a post well worth reading. These are nine important elements to writing an effective picture book.
The 6 Most Common Mistakes Made by Aspiring Children’s Book Authors
6 common mistakes this editor sees made by picture book authors and some advice on how to avoid them.
For All Picture Book Writers, Read This
Links to a four-part interview with Vice President and Editorial Director of HarperCollins Children’s Books and a three-part interview with Golden Books/Random House Editorial Director. Lots of great little nuggets of advice for picture book writers in both interviews.
Picture Book Tips from Successful Agents
Children’s book author and editor Tamson Weston consulted with agents on what makes a picture book successful and shared the top five tips for making your submission stand out.
Writing Easy Readers – Or How To Get 2nd Graders to Love You
5 quick tips for appealing to early readers as shared by an author of children’s chapter books.
Jo Hart - Author 
Thankyou Jo, I have not long been here and find this a very informative and interesting blog. I will continue to wander through when I have time.
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Thank you for dropping by, I’m glad you’re finding it to be informative.
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Excellent list, Jo. Eventually I’m going to do a blog roundup of helpful stuff like this, so I’ll make sure to include this page.
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This is excellent! Thank you!
Have you visited Emma Walton Hamilton’s blog? Her blog is a treasure trove of information and tips for children’s writers. http://www.emmawaltonhamilton.com
Now I must subscribe to your blog and add you to my blogroll!
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Renee – I’m glad to share. I’d love to see your list when you eventually put it up.
Beth – No problem! I visited Emma Walton Hamilton’s blog recently and agree. I’ve actually got one of her posts due to be added to the list at the end of this month (I usually try to update the master lists once a month).
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Thanks again, Jo, for sharing these with us!
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Great! Thanks for this! =)
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No problem, Jarm and Elizabeth! I’m happy to share.
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Great blog, and cool links in this post!
A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
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Thanks Damyanti!
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Thank you Jo for this wonderful blog. I will be working with some middle school students on writing a children’s story book and the information you have provided has been a tremendous help to me. I look forward to following your blog for further insight.
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I’m so glad you found it to be helpful. I hope your students come up with some wonderful ideas for their children’s stories.
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Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!
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Sorry that happened. I always hate when I write a long comment and it doesn’t go through. Thanks for dropping by and commenting, I’m glad you like my blog,
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I love your blog.
I’ve nominated you for an Inspiring Blogger Award! Hop over to my blog to find out more!
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Thanks so much! I’ll pop over and have a look 🙂
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