Resources

Interested in Children’s Book Writing and/or Illustrating?

Illustrator Intensive Take-Aways, by Kara Marsee (article on MI SCBWI blog)

Organizations

SCBWI – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Michigan’s chapter of SCBWI
Michigan SCBWI Blog

12×12 Challenge

Storyteller Academy

Tara Lazar’s Storystorm

We Need Diverse Books

Books
(Note: these link to amazon, but PLEASE, PLEASE support your local bookstore!!!)

Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books by Uri Shulevitz

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul

The Hero is You: Sharpen Your Focus, Conquer Your Demons, and Become the Writer You Were Born to Be by Kenra Levin

Thumbnail Templates
Here are two templates I created for anyone to use. Writers and Illustrators can use these to plan their stories.

One is to see the whole story arc for a 32 page picture book on one sheet, and one is a little larger for a little more detail, or to compare different scenarios.

32-pg Thumbnail sheet
Click to download printable 8.5×11 PDF

12-pg square thumbnail sheet

12-pg Square Thumbnail sheet
Click to download printable 8.5×11 PDF

6 square pg thumbnail template

Other

The Highlights Foundation
Nestled in the Poconos Mountains, this facility hosts a variety of workshops and retreats for creators of children’s books.

Mazza Museum
Located in Findlay Ohio, the Mazza Museum is the world’s first and largest museum devoted to literacy and the art of children’s picture books.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Located in Amherst, MA, the mission of the Carle Museum is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books.

National Storytelling Network

Tellabration
A worldwide evening of storytelling on or about the third Saturday in November. Guilds and storytelling enthusiasts all around the globe will share their storytelling talents in concerts held in cities and towns to celebrate the art of storytelling.