Dolan, Elys. How to Make a Picture Book: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Elys Dolan, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2024. [44]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-3142-7. GRADES 1–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
A worm speaks directly to the reader, giving instructions on how to write a picture book, including descriptions of ideas, characters, setting, story, and color. Along the way, there are breaks for activities, which include story math, where you take two of your ideas and put them in the same story. There are also prompts for building a story, interviewing your characters, making a book out of paper to use for your picture book, and more. Although this looks like a picture book at first glance, it is really an instructional book on writing and a great choice to recommend to teachers. The full-color, mixed-media cartoon illustrations work in harmony with the text to describe the activities and add humor. Originally published in the UK in 2022.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool