learn how to come up with a children’s picture book idea
Every week in the My Kids Book Pitch class, you’ll get powerful new downloads that build into an amazing 100+ page workbook!
Lilla here! Welcome to Day One of your #MATSprep: MAGIC CARDS! I’m going to show you how to come up with a children’s picture book idea in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
What’s a #MATSprep? What’s even MATS? MATS is my course site, Make Art That Sells. For many of my courses, I like to get my students prepared for class, to give a taste of the what’s to come, and to get everyone motivated. This Prep is to get you warmed up for My Kid Book Pitch, my newest course for Make Art That Sells, which begins Monday, October 12th. I honestly couldn’t be more excited about this course. Having done the course as a beta for my artists, I know that you’re going to make some amazing stories from this. It works.
I’d like to introduce you to my Magic Cards. To warm you up for class, for each day of this three-day Prep, I’ll give you a single Magic Card. The cards we’re using for the Prep aren’t part of the course, they’re just to give you an idea (so really you get 29 Magic Cards in total!).
On Day One of the course you’ll get a set of 26 Magic Cards that I made just for the course, and a 9-page Magic Cards worksheet! I’ve made these cards especially for you which each showcase one nutty item from my collection, and they work magic on the imagination. A great story comes out of an imaginative mind, so let’s get started!
how to come up with a children’s picture book idea!
Today, I want you to free associate. What comes to your mind when you see the Fun With Puzzles Book Card? Jot down your ideas and any feelings that come up. Add drawings if you like.
This might get you to think about when you were a kid, what you played. Maybe you wanted a puzzle book like this. Maybe it brings up feelings like you were really seen for your love of mathematical things. Maybe you weren’t seen. Maybe your brother got all the attention for being smart with puzzles and school and you didn’t. Maybe you got all the attention for being creative and he didn’t. Maybe you feel bad about that.
Maybe you loved being on the puzzle team in school. Maybe the Puzzle book makes you think of all the fun games you played as a child, or that you play now with your kids. Maybe you feel guilty that you didn’t play more games with your kids. Maybe you love that you made up games for your kids. Maybe it has nothing to do with any of that. Maybe it makes you want to go thrifting and find wacky old books like this!
Maybe it’s not even about the feelings, but just the visuals. Maybe you love the bright colors and the star motif. How about that hand-drawn lettering? What else do you see?
See how a funny little book can get you thinking? Take a moment to write down absolutely anything that comes to mind, no matter how seemingly off track or odd. Don’t be shy or censure yourself. Let your mind wander. Daydreamers, this is for you!
TIP: Sketch any scenes that pop into your head and make note of any emotions that come up, too. All children’s picture books need to have the feels, so this is good practice.
You: Lilla, why the heck are you making us do this?
Me: Because the way to get to a fresh, unique story is to get into that full, robust, quirky mind of yours. That’s how to come up with a children’s picture book idea!
You: But Lilla, I’m not quirky. There’s nothing unusual about me. Nothing comes to my mind!
Me: Take a moment to just keep studying the image and take some slow gentle breaths. That will stimulate the creative mind. And by the way, every human has stories in their heads. This game will help you get there.
You #2: But I have a ton of stories in my head! I’m an imagination machine!
Me: That’s great! But let’s take it a step at a time. Start jotting down your impressions of the Fun with Puzzles book for today. We’ll build step by step over the course of this three day prep.
I’d love to see what you do today. If you’ve created an image (or images) then share them on Instagram with the hashtag #MATSprep so I can find them. Even if you’ve just written notes, share that too. You can make your notes pretty or mix them up with sketches and doodles, or just share what you’ve written. Don’t forget the #MATSprep tag – I’ll be looking for them!
Be sure to join me in class for more goodness and to craft your own wonderful story. Sign up here. Hurry, class starts Monday, October 12th!
Xo
Lilla
P.S. Get Part 2 of your FREE children’s book story generator here!
