How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published [Paperback]

Treld Bicknell (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Though bits and pieces are somewhat outdated ("backspace 10 characters for right-hand margin," a chapter on getting published recommends), this is a fine and quite British introduction to the art of writing and illustrating children's books. Nine writers, illustrators, editors, librarians, and educators present a chapter or two each on such subjects as storytelling, classic children's fiction, contemporary themes in children's literature, illustration, and production. The format doesn't allow much of a chance for any one aspect of the business of children's books to be explored deeply, but the authors' strong affinity for children and their literature will help any potential children's-book creator adopt the right frame of mind for the work. Authors of children's books, says Gabrielle Maunder, must not underestimate the intelligence of their readers. And illustrators, says Catherine Storr, should do more than simply add pictures to the text; "the illustrator all writers long to meet," she says, "is the one who can take the text and, without radically changing it ... enormously enrich it." Most important, agree all the contributors here, is the need for authors and illustrators alike to understand the mind of the child. Getting published and sold is one thing, says illustrator (and writer) Celia Berridge; but true success "is knowing that your book really works for children." --Jane Steinberg

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (June 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582970130
• ISBN-13: 978-1582970134
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful to illustrators, August 17, 2001

By 

T. Custodio "I love books and art" (Hilo, Hawaii United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published (Paperback)

As a published children's book author and illustrator, I found this book to be one of the more helpful guides for those interested in children's illustration. Most books in the "How to Write Children's Books" genre focus on the writer's perspective and neglect the illustrator. This book, with contributions by an Art Director, also addresses portfolio presentation, picture book layout, style, dummies, tearsheets and roughs. True, the book is somewhat dated and there are more comprehensive books on children's book publishing. However, I would highly recommend this book to fellow illustrators.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Start for Illustrators, September 13, 2003

By 

shoutgrace "savedbyhisgrace" (Charleston, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published (Paperback)

Treld Pelkey Bicknell's 'How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books' is really more for illustrators of children's books then the writer's aspect of the book. It's a good source for that particular purpose. If you want a more indepth instruction on the children's book writing process I suggest Barbara Seuling's 'How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published.' Bicknell's book is valuable for it's comprehensive topics and illustrations. The first part include topics of constructing a story from beginning to end (planning and plotting, story structure, dialogue). There's a section on getting to know your reader and choosing the right words. Plus other informative information like looking into the world of children and the influence of new writing. The second part is devoted to illustration and discusses getting to know your audience, the types of picture books (board, pop-ups, zig-zag, flap, half-flap, holes, pictorial consequences, long text, minimal text, wordless, picture strips). It combines pictures with interpeting a text and using your imagination. Building the porfolio follows in the creation process. The last part is devoted to getting published. Starting from making the book, preparing the roughs, the right style for the right job. The author tops it off with factual writing and researching, Fad & Novelty books and finding the right publisher. To find what's in the market I also suggest the 'Children's Book Writer and Illustrator's Market Book' as a directory in that field to find the right genre of which publisher to contact. This book is a handy source like the other two I mentioned.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful information, May 19, 2004

By 

Christine Anderson (Herndon, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published (Paperback)

I found this book to be very useful as a source for writing better children's books. It includes specific style and writing techniques with examples to teach us to make a more powerful manuscript. I wish there were more books like this with even more ideas!