Ideas Tag

Picture Book Humor
May 26, 2025 In Writing Craft

The Magic of Picture Book Humor

Picture Book Humor Magic of Humor Humor has a magical way of making an old idea feel fresh. Whether it’s through witty dialogue, funny scenarios, or quirky characters, adding humor can completely transform your story. Think about unexpected moments where you can bring in some lightness or absurdity to surprise your readers.

Humor has this incredible power to take a well-worn idea and make it feel brand new.

Whether through witty dialogue, funny scenarios, or quirky characters, humor has a way of giving even the most familiar concepts a delicious twist.

And in the world of picture books, humor can be the secret sauce that makes your story stand out from the crowd.

Why Picture Book Humor Works

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Twisting the Trope Title
May 21, 2025 In Writing Craft

Twisting the Tropes: When Picture Books Flip the Script

You know that moment when you think you know exactly where a picture book is going—then WHAM! It zigs instead of zags? We LOVE that.

In fact, flipping a familiar trope is one of the smartest—and funniest—ways to craft a story that feels fresh and unforgettable.Flip the Script on Tropes

Take a tired theme like “a scary monster under the bed.” Now make that monster terrified of the dark. Suddenly, readers are wide-eyed, giggling, and totally hooked.

Here are three picture books that start with something familiar… and then twist it like a curly fry.

Twisted Trope Example 1:

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Playing with point of view title
May 14, 2025 In Writing Craft

Playing with Point of View

When you’re writing a picture book, one of the most important questions to ask yourself is: Who’s telling the story? Sometimes, a simple shift in point of view can turn an idea upside down, transforming a well-worn theme into something fresh and unexpected.

Point of ViewPoint of view isn’t just about the narrator—it’s about perspective. Who’s seeing the story unfold, and what do they bring to it? By shifting that perspective, you can breathe new life into familiar concepts and make your story stand out in a crowded market.

Switch Up the Point of View

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Idea Blog Post 1 Title - Personal Experience
May 6, 2025 In Writing Craft

How to Use Personal Experience to Create Originality in Your Picture Books

One of the best pieces of advice we can give to aspiring picture book writers is this: use your own life.

PBS Idea Quote 1 personal experienceYour personal experience is an absolute goldmine of originality, and the more you tap into that experience, the more authentic and fresh your stories will feel. We all have moments that define us, that shape our view of the world, and those moments are what make your story stand out.

So, how do you turn those personal experiences into picture book gold? Here are a few tips:

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Shadra Strickland Podcast
November 12, 2024 In Podcast

Podcast – Shadra Strickland

Shadra Strickland PodcastShadra Strickland might be the most delightful writing workshop presenter on the planet. In this episode, the author/illustrator (and agent!) reveals how to get at the heart of your story by sharing some of her best writing exercises to get your creative juices flowing from your brain to the page.

This is a fun one! Enjoy!

 

Listen here:

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The Fan Brothers
October 29, 2024 In Podcast

Podcast – The Fan Brothers: To Imagination and Beyond

The Fan Brothers

What do t-shirt design and writing and illustrating picture books have in common?

Quite a bit actually! They have to be eye-catching. They have to be something the wearer or reader wants to go back to again and again. And just like a picture book, a good design tells a story.

Eric and Terry Fan take us on a journey in To Imagination and Beyond. The Fan Brothers share how your next story might be waiting for you where you least expect it. And, they should know. A t-shirt design ultimately became the award-winning picture book The Night Gardener and a 30-year-old doodle grew into Lizzy and the Cloud.

We adore The Fan Brothers and after this episode we think you will too!

Listen here:

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PBSummit Podcast Rob Sanders
August 29, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – Rob Sanders

Rob Sanders

Grab a big piece of paper and some brightly colored markers because today we are mind-mapping our way to great picture book ideas! Listen in to excerpts from our Summit workshop with author and educator Rob Sanders. Rob will reveal how mind mapping can lead to both story ideas and ways to present stories that engage readers.

Rob Sanders is known for his funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction picture books and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the arena of LGBTQ+ literary nonfiction picture books. Rob’s books include Two Grooms on A Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding (Little Bee Books), Stitch By Stitch: Cleve Jones And The Aids Memorial Quilt (Magination Press), Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg (Henry Holt & Co), and Rodzilla (Margaret K. McElderry Books).

After this episode, you’ll be surprised at how much your past can help you write stories that engage with kids today.

Get ready to generate ideas that are uniquely you!

 

Listen here:

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Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund - Query Letters That Worked
August 23, 2022 In Podcast

Podcast – Query Letters That Worked

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund - Query Letters That WorkedToday’s episode comes from Picture Book Summit Co-Founders Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund. Emma and Julie are also co-creators of the Complete Picture Book Submission System. In this episode, you’ll hear them share their submission expertise as they provide you with the key components of a killer query letter and break down three real query letters critiqued by Emma or Julie that resulted in agent representation or a book contract. You’ll leave this episode with actionable items you can apply immediately to your own queries. Get ready to polish those queries until they shine brighter than you thought possible.

Listen here:

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-Hamilton
August 9, 2022 In Podcast

Podcast – Developing Ideas with Emma Walton Hamilton

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-HamiltonToday it’s time for part three of Where the Idea Are series: Developing Ideas. Listen to the first two parts of the series below:

  • Part 1 – Generating Ideas with Katie Davis here
  • Part 2 – Assessing Ideas with Laura Backes here

Once you’ve generated the ideas and assessed them to see which ones are viable for a picture book, then you have to develop that idea and actually write the story.

At the core of every good picture book is a central dramatic question. What is that, anyway? Picture Book Summit co-founder Emma Walton Hamilton discusses the importance and function of the central dramatic question and how to find it while developing ideas.

Listen here:

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Katie Davis - procrastination and your first 1000 readers
July 12, 2022 In Podcast

Podcast – Generating Ideas with Katie Davis

Katie Davis - procrastination and your first 1000 readers, generating ideas

Generating ideas for lots of picture books is one key to success! That’s why we did a whole Mini Summit on Where the Ideas Are. In this three-part series, we’ll share ways to generate ideas, assess ideas, and develop ideas. While we can’t tell you exactly where to get your next great idea, Katie Davis can give you tips for harvesting the ideas that are cropping up all around you.

Today’s episode was originally part of our free yearly Mini Summit! Be sure to add yourself to our notification list to hear all about our upcoming events. Plus, you’ll receive our favorite revision strategies just for signing up. Click here.

Listen here:

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