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
Call for Applications: PJ Library Summer Camp for Picture Book Creatives
Starts: March 16, 2025
Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program (Spring)
Starts: April 3, 2025
Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring)
Starts: April 9, 2025
Nonfiction Picture Books: Exploring Forms and Creative Approaches
Starts: April 22, 2025
Picture Book Plotting from A to Z: A 5-Week Online Course for Writers
Starts: May 6, 2025
Revision Retreat: Moving Your Story Ahead
Starts: May 15, 2025
The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing
Starts: May 28, 2025
All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: June 1, 2025
Summer Camp in Illustration: Intensive Artistic Inspiration
Starts: July 6, 2025
Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program (Summer)
Starts: July 9, 2025
Summer Camp in Writing: Create and Dream!
Starts: July 13, 2025
Nonfiction Retreat: Science, Nature, Biography, and More
Starts: August 13, 2025
Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Working Retreat
Starts: September 13, 2025
From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course
Starts: September 30, 2025
Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)
Starts: October 8, 2025
Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers
Starts: November 1, 2025
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
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
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
Inspiring Children Through Story
Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation
Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni
The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee: celebrating a Book Birthday With Lisa Cortez
Celebration Station: Fall 2024
Celebrating a Book Birthday With Two Native Creatives: Andrea L. Rogers + Rebecca Lee Kunz
