Picture Book Fundamentals

Discover, Learn, and Publish

Have you ever dreamed of holding a picture book with your name on the cover? In this mini course, we cover the basics of the kid lit market so you can understand your book's place in it. We will get into the mindset of children ages 3 to 8 (ish), exploring their cognitive and emotional development so you can write stories that speak to them. You will learn what appeals to different age brackets, from toddlers and preschoolers to first- and second-graders transitioning to early readers.

This Course Is for You If:

• You’ve always wanted to write for kids but aren’t sure how to get started.

• You have a story that you haven't yet wrestled onto the page.

• You have a draft and want to make sure it’s ready for prime time.

A Note about My Approach:

I teach what I know works. My first children’s book, The Climbing Tree, won a national award—but getting there took time, missteps, and more than a little trial and error.

This course distills those lessons so you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.

Each module begins with a short video covering the core concepts. The material is broken into manageable pieces so you can move at your own pace and keep making steady progress. I’ve also included worksheets so you can organize your ideas and apply what you’ve learned.

By the end of this course, you will have the skills and knowledge to:

• Analyze the cognitive and emotional development stages of children ages 3-8 to write age-appropriate stories.

• Understand the categories and genres in children's literature.

• Master industry-standard word counts and pacing techniques for standard 32-page picture book layouts.

• Craft compelling picture book narrative arcs with relatable protagonists and satisfying resolutions.

• Implement effective rhythm, rhyme, and repetition to create highly engaging read-aloud experiences.

• Avoid the common mistakes made by first-time indie authors.