World Famous Comics: How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books and Get Them Published
How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books and Get Them Published
From: Writers Digest Books Publisher: Writers Digest Books Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Writers Digest Books Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: June 19, 2000
Amazon.com Review: Though bits and pieces are somewhat outdated ("backspace 10 characters for right-hand margin," a chapter on getting published recommends), this is a fine and quite British introduction to the art of writing and illustrating children's books. Nine writers, illustrators, editors, librarians, and educators present a chapter or two each on such subjects as storytelling, classic children's fiction, contemporary themes in children's literature, illustration, and production. The format doesn't allow much of a chance for any one aspect of the business of children's books to be explored deeply, but the authors' strong affinity for children and their literature will help any potential children's-book creator adopt the right frame of mind for the work. Authors of children's books, says Gabrielle Maunder, must not underestimate the intelligence of their readers. And illustrators, says Catherine Storr, should do more than simply add pictures to the text; "the illustrator all writers long to meet," she says, "is the one who can take the text and, without radically changing it ... enormously enrich it." Most important, agree all the contributors here, is the need for authors and illustrators alike to understand the mind of the child. Getting published and sold is one thing, says illustrator (and writer) Celia Berridge; but true success "is knowing that your book really works for children." --Jane Steinberg
Nice book Good book for those wishing to know more about the field or not knowing where to start. When you get serious, you'll want to read some additional books on working with the publishing world. From what I've understood, very few agents will touch children's books. So, you'll likely be going it alone up until you really get established, if you do. That means you will be working directly with the publisher/editor yourself. As a result, you will need more information under your belt about the publishing world than what this book contains, but this is an excellent source to learn about everything else. It does include some starter info about the publishing end of things.
Very useful information I found this book to be very useful as a source for writing better children's books. It includes specific style and writing techniques with examples to teach us to make a more powerful manuscript. I wish there were more books like this with even more ideas!
Good Start for Illustrators Treld Pelkey Bicknell's 'How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books' is really more for illustrators of children's books then the writer's aspect of the book. It's a good source for that particular purpose. If you want a more indepth instruction on the children's book writing process I suggest Barbara Seuling's 'How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published.' Bicknell's book is valuable for it's comprehensive topics and illustrations. The first part include topics of constructing a story from beginning to end (planning and plotting, story structure, dialogue). There's a section on getting to know your reader and choosing the right words. Plus other informative information like looking into the world of children and the influence of new writing. The second part is devoted to illustration and discusses getting to know your audience, the types of picture books (board, pop-ups, zig-zag, flap, half-flap, holes, pictorial consequences, long text, minimal text, wordless, picture strips). It combines pictures with interpeting a text and using your imagination. Building the porfolio follows in the creation process. The last part is devoted to getting published. Starting from making the book, preparing the roughs, the right style for the right job. The author tops it off with factual writing and researching, Fad & Novelty books and finding the right publisher. To find what's in the market I also suggest the 'Children's Book Writer and Illustrator's Market Book' as a directory in that field to find the right genre of which publisher to contact. This book is a handy source like the other two I mentioned.
Helpful to illustrators As a published children's book author and illustrator, I found this book to be one of the more helpful guides for those interested in children's illustration. Most books in the "How to Write Children's Books" genre focus on the writer's perspective and neglect the illustrator. This book, with contributions by an Art Director, also addresses portfolio presentation, picture book layout, style, dummies, tearsheets and roughs. True, the book is somewhat dated and there are more comprehensive books on children's book publishing. However, I would highly recommend this book to fellow illustrators.
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