August 11 @ 7:00 pm - August 13 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Picture books are easy to love, but challenging to write. Learn the essential elements of craft that can help you turn your ideas into stories with award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, August 13, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
- You’ll have access to the recordings through September 30, 2026.
Why This Workshop?
Picture books are easy to love, but challenging to write. Crafting a story that goes beyond a fun idea takes work.
In addition to plot, picture book creatives need to consider structure, style, rhythm, word choice, and more.
Join award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski to discover the essentials that will take your picture book from idea to story.
They’ll explore:
- An overview of picture book components
- Structures & styles
- Focusing statements
- Word choice
- Voice
- and more!
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator, and you’re looking for beginning information about picture book structures and word choice.
- You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already drafted picture books and want to learn more about considerations when it comes to revising and strengthening your work.
- You write chapter books or novels, and wonder if you can write picture books, too.
- You are considering writing a picture book for children and want to learn more about this genre.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your knowledge of the picture book form.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course. Sessions will be recorded and shared.
All Times are Eastern Time.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome
- Picture Book components
- Focusing statements
- Alternative structures
- Try this at home: Create your own focusing statement
Part Two: Thursday, August 13, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Picture book Voice
- Word play
- Limitations
- Try this at home: Cut your manuscript text
- Open Q & A
Join Darcy and Leslie In Person!
Explore your craft in the company of fellow PB creatives. Visit us for Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: A Generative Retreat!
About This Picture Book Writing Class
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
Will This Workshop Be Recorded? Can I Access the Videos?
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through September 30, 2026.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect for My Work?
- There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- Darcy and Leslie will answer as many questions as possible during the program.
How Does This Class Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. Picture books are a beloved part of many children’s lives. This workshop is meant to support and inspire you as you craft a picture book for children.
Can I Connect with Other Participants?
There will be limited interaction in the chat, during the live sessions.
Where Can I Find More Picture Book Writing Resources?
Here are some favorite resources from our blog for picture book creatives:
- Creating Picture Books Inspired by Facts
- How Do You Know If You’ve Written a Picture Book?
- Word Choices: Writing Picture Books That Soar
- Short and Easy, Right? How Hard Can It Be to Write a Picture Book?
- 3 Tips for Writing Funny Picture Books
- Pointers for Writing Powerful Picture Books
- Get it Right with Research for Your Nonfiction Picture Book
