Dialogue that Dances
Dialogue in picture books does a lot of heavy lifting. Good dialogue:
– Reveals character
– Builds tension
– Moves the plot forward
– Delivers conflict
– Lands humor
– Deepens emotion
– Creates rhythm
All in as few words as possible. So today we’re focusing on one goal:
How to write dialogue that dances.
Dialogue is not just “talking.” It’s action.
In great picture books, dialogue doesn’t fill space. It creates motion. Every line should raise the stakes, reveal something new, or push the story forward.
If the dialogue could be removed without affecting the story, it’s not pulling its weight.
The biggest dialogue trap: adults writing “kid talk”
Many picture books writers try too hard to make dialogue sound “realistic” or “childlike.” They add throat-clearing fillers like “Well,” and “Oh,” and “I mean…” They use baby talk or slang or cutesy words. And the dialogue becomes performative—like an adult doing an impression of a kid.
Aim for emotional truth rather than “kid lingo.”
Dialogue that dances has rhythm
Picture books are designed to be read aloud, so dialogue should flow, bounce, and sing. And it should contribute to pacing. One way to do this is to alternate short and long lines intentionally. That structure can create movement—even before the illustrator joins in.
Give each character a verbal fingerprint
If everyone sounds the same, the story flattens and characters are indistinguishable from one another. Great dialogue reveals who is speaking by word choices and phrasing that are unique to that character. In an ideal world, we should be able to tell who is speaking even without attributions.
Ask: How does this character talk? What unique expressions, turns of phrase, or vocabulary might they use? How does their background—age, education, cultural experience, surroundings—inform the way they speak?
Let dialogue carry subtext
Kids understand subtext better than we give them credit for.
They know when someone says:
“Fine.”
…that it’s not fine.
They know when a character says:
“Whatever.”
…that they’re hurt.
So don’t over-explain emotional moments with dialogue. Let subtext do its beautiful work.
Great dialogue leaves room for illustration
Picture book dialogue shouldn’t describe what we’re already seeing in the artwork.
Avoid:
“I’m walking down the hall.”
If the art shows the walking, the words should reveal what the art can’t… the fear, desire, perspective, humor, conflict, or inner stakes within the character as they walk down the hall.
Great dialogue furthers, it doesn’t just mirror.
