Get Started: How To Read Picture Books Like a Writer

Learn how to write children's picture books by reading them.

Hi friends,

Welcome to part 2 of my series on how to write nonfiction picture books.

If you missed it, here’s part 1, in which I gave suggestions on how to get started and encouraged you to read, read, read. Here, I explain how to start reading picture books like a pro.

But first, some news…

It’s launch day!

Today my book, A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds, creeps into the world!

With essays that explore the world’s most dangerous and deadly plants and gorgeous botanical art by Eugenia Nobati, this book has been getting wonderful reviews—including a starred review from Kirkus! I’m so excited to share it with you. You can find it wherever books are sold.

Thank you for your support! And now, back to our main topic…

How to read picture books

Reading picture books is fun and easy. But writing them is tricky. It's tricky because picture books follow persnickety rules.

There are rules for writing an opening line. Rules for creating a compelling structure. Rules for crafting a satisfying ending. For letting an illustrator tell half the story.

A good way to learn these rules and begin to put them into practice is to read picture book—especially if you read them like a writer.

By the way, I am deeply indebted to author Nancy Sanders, who taught me how to study picture books this way over a dozen years ago. Thanks, Nancy!

Step one: Keep track

Every year I set a yearly goal to critique 100 picture books. Every January, I buy a 3-ring binder and fill it with blank lined paper. This becomes Command Central for my intensive study of picture books.

You might prefer to use a blank notebook. Or you might set up a spreadsheet, Microsoft Word document, or Scrivener file. Whatever works.

Step two: Collect books

I head to the library. Sometimes I browse the new books shelf for nonfiction picture books that look interesting. Other times I bring a list of picture books that have been recommended or have won an award. (Whenever I come across a list of books I’d like to read, I add a printed copy to my binder.)

Your list of books will be different than mine. Your list should focus on what interests you and the kind of books you want to write.

My list is filled with science and nature nonfiction, because that's what I write. Sometimes I include a fiction book with a nature theme. Or maybe a historical nonfiction book that's been winning a lot of awards.

My list is mostly made of books published in the last five years. Yours should be too. That’s because you want to understand what makes a book publishable today.

I do include a few older books. Reading older books deepens my understanding of what makes a book stand the test of time. But I know it can’t tell me what editors are buying right now.

Step three: Read

At home, I pour myself a cup of coffee or tea. I settle into a comfy chair, select a book from my stack, and read. Slowly. Out loud. (My dog is a good listener.)

When I finish the book, I open my binder and write today’s date. Then I write the title, author, publisher, and publication year. This becomes a running list of the year's books.

Why do I keep track of what I’m reading? This list will become a rich repository of potential mentor texts. It will also be helpful when I’m searching for editors or agents that might be a good fit for my next manuscript. (Even though I have an agent, I do give her suggestions on what publishers might be a good fit.)

Step four: Analyze

Next, I dig into the book critically. Sometimes I simply write a one-paragraph summary of the book, noting strengths and weaknesses and why I think an editor bought this book.

Other times, I use worksheets to help me focus on a particular area of writing craft. Next month, I’ll share a worksheet for digging into a critical area of picture book writing—the all-important first page.

Step five: Repeat

When I've made it to the bottom of my stack, I grab my binder and bring all the books back to the library. I leave the library with a fresh stack of books.

You can give it a try. Decide how you will keep track of what you're reading. Go to the library, pick out picture books, read them, critique them. You’ll be well on your way to learning how to write these books.

Thanks for reading!

Next month I’ll be back with a specific tool you can use to study the first page of a picture book.

By the way, I’m new here on Substack, so if you enjoyed this post, please help spread the word. And let me know in the comments if you have suggestions for future topics you’d like me to write about. Thanks!