Create engaging stories for the youngest readers! Writing picture books takes a unique set of skills. After all, you only have thirty-two pages to bring your story to life for readers ages two to eight, and the adults in their lives. Your text must be tightly focused yet leave room for illustrations to tell part of the story. And, of course, picture books should be a joy to read aloud. Award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul helps you develop the skills you need by walking you through techniques and exercises specifically for picture book writers. You'll find: Instruction on generating ideas, creating characters, point of view, beginnings and endings, plotting, word count, rhyme, and more Unique methods for using poetic techniques to enrich your writing and make your manuscript sing Hands-on revision exercises (get out your scissors, tape, and highlighters) to help you identify problems and improve your picture book manuscripts Tips on researching the picture book market and approaching publishers Whether you're just starting out as a picture book writer or have tried unsuccessfully to get your work published, Writing Picture Books is just what you need to craft picture books that will appeal to young readers and parents, agents, and editors.