Write a Picture Book That Works Webinar with Children's Book Insider

After much preparation and anticipation—the day arrived! It was time for my presentation "Write a Picture Book That Works" with Children's Book Insider (CBI) that focused on crafting a beginning that hooks, a middle that builds, and an ending that delivers. It was a pleasure to meet CBI's renowned host, Laura Backes, and become one of CBI's webinar family. Then, for the next 90 minutes I launched into one of my favorite topics—picture books!

Whenever I hear someone speak, I'm always fascinated to hear about their writing journey, so I shared a bit of my writing journey as well which began with how I fell in love with books through my third-grade teacher, Miss Hall. After lunch recess, we'd plop down at our desks and she'd read wonderful books to us—one book at a time, one chapter a day. Books such as Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary, Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, and Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little by E. B. White. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I became an avid reader and books are still some of my very best friends.

During my PowerPoint presentation, I discussed beginnings, middles, and ends using a variety of examples that included several of my titles such as Cindy Moo, If Wendell Had a Walrus, Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg and my most recent release, Arlo Draws an Octopus. How did they begin? What should the beginning accomplish? Then, the exciting middle where the main character struggles, tension rises, and readers root for the character to succeed. Of course, beginnings and middles lead to the all-important end. What makes a good ending? How do you bring the story to a satisfying conclusion that includes a fun twist?

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I also explored some of my favorite titles by other authors, such as Saturday by Oge Mora, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown, Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scanlon, Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer, and Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan. At the conclusion, I shared some picture book tips and answered some great questions during the Q&A session.

Thanks Laura Backes, Children's Book Insider, and everyone who attended. A total pleasure. Let's do this again!