Picture Book Perfection (Paperback)

Picture Book Perfection is an excellent tool for beginners, as well as for accomplished authors of children's books. It is comprehensive, from A to Z. This also makes the perfect gift for aspiring children book authors. Thank you, Brooke!

I received an advanced copy of Picture Book Perfection, and I found it to be very informative and engaging. This book provides a very detailed, step-by-step process of writing a picture book, spanning understanding today's picture book market, generating story ideas, planning/outlining a story's plot, writing the story, editing, illustrating, finalizing the manuscript, publishing, and the next steps after publishing. This masterful guide is easy to read and understand for any aspiring writer, and a great refresher for seasoned writers and authors. Brooke does a wonderful job sharing her knowledge and expertise in such a heartfelt and genuine way that readers will feel like they are being showered with encouragement and advice from their best friend. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever dreamed of writing phenomenal picture books that children will love.

When I was in the 8th grade many moons ago, I wrote a picture book about a red balloon coming to life. Later I sent it to some publishers and only got rejections back. I had a lot of questions. I didn’t know what I was doing nor how to submit it correctly, nor did I realize till later that what I wrote was not very good or at least had a poor ending. So, I put it away. Recently, I have been trying again, and I came across a post from Brook Van Sickle on her website Journey to Kidlit. I was very interested. I joined one of her groups and up on doing so, I received an advanced reader e-copy of the first version of Picture Book Perfection, and I found it to be exactly the help I was looking for. If you are like me (a budding, beginning writer) and are interested in publishing picture books or other children’s or youth books, this book is for you. It gives you a step-by-step process for writing and submitting a book (including proper format, which is what I was looking for). There are also some great tips and advice included here. I am finding this a very valuable resource. Thank you, Brook.

For anyone who has ever dreamed of writing and publishing their very own picture book, this one is a must read for you! I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy of the Picture Book Perfection written by Brooke Van Sickle and this does not disappoint!

Brooke is a true expert when it comes to knowing what it takes to craft a quality picture book and to be able to write inspiring children’s stories that reasonate with your readers. Brooke’s expertise and industry knowledge really shine in this complete step-by-step guide that makes writing a picture book a much easier process. You will also be inspired by Brooke’s personal writing experiences and how she overcame obstacles to triumph as a successful writer. I highly recommend Picture Book Perfection, and feel that both aspiring and experienced writers alike will benefit from reading it!

Presently I am working with Brooke and her team to achieve my goal of completing and publishing a children's picture book to be proud of by early 2025. During the past year I have become an ardent fan of BiblioKid Publishing and the team Brooke Van Sickle has assembled. Brooke herself is an experienced, accomplished and caring publisher, editor and writer. I have learned to value and trust her and her associates.

That’s why, when I recently discovered Brooke was releasing a new book titled Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Picture Book That Sells to Publishers (And Readers) I agreed to receive an advance copy to read and consider reviewing.

I am delighted to report that this is a book I can honestly, and highly, recommend to aspiring authors interested in writing and publishing books for children from 2 to 8 years old. In my over 25 years of writing book reviews for academic presses, I have not always had such good news to share!
You can be sure I will recommend it to students of creative writing at the University of the Virgin Islands in the U.S.V.I. where I have been teaching for over 30 years. Our program does not focus primarily on children’s literature. However, I have always had an interest in reading, studying the craft of, writing, and teaching others how to write, for children and those who love them. I am especially fond of picture books.

Some of my students have become successful, published authors of children’s books and finally, now that I am approaching retirement, my interest in publishing some of the children's picture books I have written myself is becoming more serious. Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Picture Book That Sells to Publishers (And Readers) is a practical, "user friendly" book in the "how-to-genre" so popular today. It is eminently practical and guides you through every stage of the writing process, from the inception of your idea for a book through completion of your manuscript and preparing it for publication.

In addition, when you choose to purchase this invaluable resource, you will receive a bonus—a free self-study workbook, which includes additional exercises.