Making Picture Books

 Making Picture Books

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       August 1, 2026

 

Author  Libby Gleeson

Distributor:      New South Books/UNSW Press
ISBN:                 9781742238159
Publisher:         UNSW Press
Release Date:   August 2026  

Website:    https://unsw.press/books/making-picture-books/ 

FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/newsouthpub 

YouTube:   

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/newsouthpublishing 

X formally Twitter:   

This small book, Making Picture Books is a treasure for anyone wanting to create a picture book. It is also very interesting for readers to unpack the process of making a picture book, either for teaching purposes or for sharing ideas with young readers, or for guidance for budding authors.

Libby Gleeson generously gives her time and thoughts on this subject, along with other authors who contributed to this book, giving it a serious and wide-ranging feel. We learn that a Picture Book is a story told in words and pictures. The balance between the illustrations and the words to successfully convey the meaning is crucial.

The author begins by telling us that “there are no rules.” The early chapters deal with Writing the story. How to get ideas, and what different authors do to make sure they have a collection of ideas at the ready.  

In “Getting Started”, Libby asks many questions to make the audience think through their process. Things such as “What is this story about, Who are my characters, who is telling this story, where is it set?” There are more questions for the budding author to contemplate but the sense of being able to answer these questions and begin to write is strong.

“After the first draft”; asks us to look at plot, structure, language and characters for a start. It is a great way of going back to analyse your work and assess its precision. When this is completed, there is advice given on finding a publisher and an illustrator, and how best to work with them. Making Picture Books is a marvellous and generous little book, easily read and referenced, with practical up to date, local advice.

Literature, Non Fiction