Editor’s Pick: 5 Picture Books To Use As Guides For Writing Your Story

Don't be mesmerized by the cover of a picture book. Instead, find picture books with storylines that interest you and study the elements of the story from start to finish.

The first step in writing a children’s picture book is. . . reading other children’s picture books! Yes, I know this sounds obvious, but as an editor, I come across a lot of manuscripts that are written in completely different formats. Don’t just read picture books; study them. Once you get past the eye-catching cover, pay attention to the introduction, exposition, rising action, climax, etc. Before you know it, you’ll start to notice patterns and develop creative ways of writing your own story.

Check out these picture books that I’ve picked up along the way during my writing journey. These picture books have inspired me to write “Scary, Scary Sasha” and a couple of my other picture books that are in the works. They provide great examples of the following story elements:

First Person POV
Third Person POV
Conflict
Unique Character Traits
Overall Engaging Plot

Books In Video:
Summer Jackson Grown Up by Teresa Harris
I Am Amazing! by Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young
Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin

Note: This is not promotional material. This is solely for the purpose of providing guidance and writing tips to other writers.

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