Picture Book Courses

There’s just one thing we can tell you about writing a picture book: there is no one “right way” to do it.

You have a story to tell, and a unique voice with which to tell it.

Maybe you’ve had an idea for a while and want to get started. Maybe you’re looking for a place to find community and hone your craft.

No matter where you are on your journey, we’re glad you’re here. Your story and your picture book can inspire children, and we’d love to help.

Find A Picture Book Course

Working Retreat: Revision

Starts: November 14, 2024

Stuck in the Middle: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers

Starts: December 2, 2024

Short, Sweet, Saleable: A Two-Night Mini Course for Picture Book Writers

Starts: December 9, 2024

Free #HFGather: 2025 Scholarship Celebration and Information Session

Starts: January 15, 2025

Turn Up the Volume on Quiet Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: February 10, 2025

Explore Our Picture Book Workshops

Picture Book Resources

Picture Books: To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme

by Diane Murray

Writing Picture Books that Meet Kids Where They Are

by Eileen Robinson

10 Things to Consider When Writing a Picture Book Biography

by Donna Janell Bowman

A webinar screen shot with Christine French Cully, George Brown, and Alison Green Myers

Finding Story and Character Ideas from Kids (and other lessons from Dear Highlights)

a Webinar with Christine French Cully

Get it Right with Research

by Don Tate

Picture Book Word Count, and Other Rules that are Meant to Be Broken

by Miranda Paul

6 Ways Research Can Enhance Your Fiction Writing

3 Questions With Lesléa Newman and Rob Sanders About Writing Books That Make a Difference for Kids

3 Questions With Kaz Windness and Katie Mazeika About Disability Representation in Picture Book Illustration

3 Questions With Merrill Rainey and Joe Cepeda About Creating Books for The Very Youngest Children

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See All Picture Book Blogs from Our Faculty

Inspiring Children Through Story

“My picture book … deals with parents separating. One little boy, who parents recently divorced, went to bed with [it] many nights. This deeply moved me to know this picture book helped this little boy.”

“I tutor 2nd grade reluctant readers. My understanding of picture book structure and prose allows me to help them learn more than words. Rather than just read the story, we talk about it.”

“You mean I get to keep this book forever?”

…Spoken by a child in tears who was gifted with one of my books at a school visit and had never owned a book before.

“When I hear kids giggle while I’m reading [my book] I feel like I’ve done the job I intended to do.“