Every Word Counts

I've always loved words, ever since I was tiny. I learned to talk early and I was taught the value of words from an early age, that words are important, that they have weight and power. We can all recount words which have hurt us. They linger long in our memories. Kind words too can make all the difference to our day.


When writing for children, often with the imposition of a limited word count, every word really does count. In picture books especially, every single word must earn its place. Pe...