The 3R's of Children's Books as a Radical Act:
The 3R's of Children's Books as a Radical Act take the power away from silence and invisibility and focus on bringing VOICE and VISIBILITY to our communities and kids.
The 3 R’s—Reflection, Reclamation and Regeneration—help us envision a full and effective path of action that ultimately supports true power rising from our communities in the form of our OWN VOICE. (Read more about Children's Books as a Radical Act - including statistics on IPOC authors)
Download the 3Rs PDF - 1 page (988 KB)
(Also available to purchase as a 12.25"x17.25" poster)
Who's Involved in Making a Picture Book? - flow chart:
This fun flow chart talks about the different people involved in making a children's book and can be helpful to get an overview of the different roles whether you're going with a traditional publisher or considering self-publishing. This is from the Make Books Now! Indie Publisher Training & Action Program through our School.
Traditional or Alternative? Who's Helping Make My Children's Book? - a self-publishing worksheet:
This worksheet is also from the Make Books Now! Indie Publisher Training & Action Program through our School and is a helpful tool to think about what assistance you might need when self-publishing. Also talks briefly about the different roles in traditional children's books publishing.
Typical 32 Page Children's Book - Spread Overview:
This PDF is from The Art of It e-book that accompanies The Heart of It: Creating Children's Books that Matter e-course through our School. Discusses the "industry standard" 32 page picture book and why that is as well as optional layouts within that standard and what endpapers are.
Publishing Packet:
These materials were originally produced for our Radical & Relevant Children's Books: fostering a publishing revolution from within mini-conference. So they were designed to accompany our presentation, however they still offer valuable information. You may also be interested in our online children's book courses through our school
Download the Publishing Packet PDF - 23 pages (3MB)
Publishing Packet Table of Contents:
- "The Publishing Tree" Flow Chart
- My Roots: Uncovering What Guides and Inspires Me
(6 pages: includes play sheets and an example from us) - My Skills and Resources Assessment
- Options Overview
(Traditional vs. Alternative publishing) - Tell A Tale
(Some tips and tricks from author, Maya Gonzalez) - Traditional Publishing overview
- Alternative Publishing overview
- A Few Pointers from the Slush Pile
(from Editor, Dana Goldberg, Whirligig Editorial, whirligigeditorial.com) - Writing a Knock Out Query Letter
(from Editor, Dana Goldberg, Whirligig Editorial whirligigeditorial.com) - Should I Become a Publisher
- Project Overview
- Making the Art
- Creating a Budget
- Finding Funding
- Book Setup & Logistics
- Next Steps: How will I make it real?
Write Now! Make Books for Kids (of all ages!):
A free video series and downloadable 30 page packet that, while geared toward kids, is still a valuable resource for understanding how the story and art for a picture book is created.