September 15 @ 7:00 pm - September 17 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
To rhyme or not to rhyme… a question that fills the picture book writer’s mind!
Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne Marie Pace for this two-night mini to gain beginning knowledge about rhyming picture books in today’s market.
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, September 15, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, September 17, 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 October 31, 2026.
“The faculty, Sudipta [Bardhan-Quallen] & Anne Marie [Pace] were fantastic. It was wonderful to receive direction from such established and prolific writers. They brought a great deal of enthusiasm to their presentations.”
“The tools Sudipta [Bardhan-Quallen] and Anne Marie have given me are priceless. I also appreciate the encouragement. I’m going to keep working and trying. Thank you so much!”
Why This Workshop?
Ready to take a look at stories that sing with rhythm and rhyme, and learn how to accomplish the structure and skills needed in your own work?
Ready to interpret feedback from editors and agents that says, “forced” when it comes to your rhyme?
Then, join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne Marie Pace to learn more about rhyming picture books in today’s children’s book market.
Our two evening sessions will center on the rhyming picture book form.
We’ll consider:
- Meter & Rhythm
- Tone & Voice
- Pacing & Page Turns
- Developing lyrical language
- Incorporating poetic techniques into prose
- and more!
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You’ve written a picture book(s) but aren’t sure if rhyme is the best device to drive the story forward.
- You haven’t started writing your picture book, but love working in rhyme.
- You’ve received feedback that your rhyme isn’t working and feels “forced”. You can revise to make the rhyme work, but should you? Not all stories are best served by rhyme. This mini will explore those that are and those that aren’t.
- You don’t write in rhyme, but you want tips on how to make your prose sound more lyrical.
- You’re looking for a picture book program with minimal time commitment. This mini will let you develop craft skills without investing a lot of time.
Tentative Agenda – Rhyming Picture Books
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course. Sessions will be recorded and you will receive links to the recordings.
All Times are Eastern Time Zone.
You can consider submitting one stanza of a rhyming work in progress at registration (no more than 6 lines). We will choose a few to analyze during the course. (Don’t have a rhyming work-in-progress? No problem! Submitting one stanza is not a requirement for this course and only a few will be selected as samples.)
Part One: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome
- Basics of meter
- Keeping consistent meter
- Deliberately breaking meter
- Types of rhyme and where to find them: end rhyme, internal rhyme, double rhyme, near rhyme, etc.
- Classic rhyme schemes and poetic forms: couplets, limericks, other types of poems like haiku and more
- Using refrains and repetition
- Rethinking prose to incorporate poetic techniques
Part Two: Thursday, September 17, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Mentor text examples
- Resources for rhymers
- Q&A
About This Rhyming Picture Books Class
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect for My Work?
- None. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- A limited number of student submission samples will be used during the program. If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please submit your single, rhyming stanza at the time of registration.
You can consider submitting one stanza of a rhyming work in progress at registration (no more than 6 lines). We will choose a few to analyze during the course. (Don’t have a rhyming work-in-progress? No problem! Submitting one stanza is not a requirement for this course and only a few will be selected as samples.)
Will The Sessions Be Recorded?
Yes! You will receive the recordings. 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 October 31, 2026.
How Does This Picture Book Class Support Boyds Mills' 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. Some of the most beloved and memorable children’s books are written in rhyme. If rhyme serves your story, it could be a great way to foster connection with your readers. This short course will help you build your knowledge of when (and when not) to rhyme.
