That's a lot of blog posts on writing and illustrating children's picture books • Paeony Lewis

Wow, I've been blogging at the Picture Book Den since it began almost eight years ago. Sadly, now that I've started a Fine Art MA, it's time to take an extended break. So to say goodbye (oh, I feel all emotional!) I thought I'd list my main blog posts (see further down) and do click on those that appeal. They're on writing, illustration and the world of children's picture books.




The statistics on the viewing figures for my different blog posts intrigued me. I discovered the blog post viewed the most was on the picture book differences between bookshop chains in the US and UK. This was written in 2016 and had several thousand more views than my least popular post (that's a secret!). I suspect the viewing figures increased because of the US reference (there's many more of you in the US than UK).


If you're new to writing picture books then perhaps begin with the 2018 Starting to write picture books and also What's at the heart of a picture book?,  which although written in 2013 includes vital advice that is often forgotten.

As for my personal favourite, well of course I'm going to say it's impossible to pick one but... My blog post on the convoluted journey of one particular story still makes me smile and I hope it encourages others to persevere with their writing. I also really enjoyed looking at illustration, such as investigating dioramas and 3D illustration in picture books.


List of Blog Posts (newest first)
Dioramas and 3D illustration in children's picture booksIllustrating water in children's picture booksIllustrating the night in children's picture booksStarting to write children's picture booksSo much effort for something so small (the journey of one picture book text)Favourite picture books of writers and illustratorsLooking at illustraton: traditional printmaking in children's picture booksIntriguing details in picture book illustration Picture book differences between the main main bookshop chains in the US and UKPicture books that made me pause (for good, bad and surprising reasons)Looking at the illustration of eyes in children's picture books (with four illustrators)Little niggles in manuscriptsMore tips on writing picture booksLooking at the 'art' in picture book illustrationExtra tips on writing picture booksDo hardback children's picture books lack something?Throwing out old picture booksWhy do some picture books stay in print for decades?The right wordsGo on, try an experiment with your picture book writingWhy did the picture-book illustrators grumble about drawing horses?Bye for now, Paeony
PS I'm still writing, when not enmeshed in book arts and conceptual art.

www.paeonylewis.com