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Verse vs. Prose in Children’s Books
I’m going to be very frank, since this is a subject that comes up over and over again in my editing practice. Language is a fundamental part of children’s literature...
Read More10 Words Every Picture Book Author Must Know
Last week at the SCBWI Winter Conference, the award-winning author Jane Yolen talked about ten words that every picture book author should know: Lyricism, compression, child centeredness, focus, hook, words,...
Read MoreCompression: Getting Down to the Essence
The second word in Jane Yolen’s list of ‘ten words every picture book author must know’ is Compression. It’s a good word, and can be defined as “the reduction of...
Read MoreWhat Makes a Picture Book Work? A Layered Look
When a picture book works—really works—it feels almost effortless. The story flows, the voice sings, and the art and text come together in perfect harmony. But behind that seemingly simple...
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