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From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book

by Janet Stevens

Illustrator Janet Stevens walks into her studio, a cloud of imaginary characters trailing along behind her.

"We think it's about time you wrote a story for us," they say. "I draw pictures! I can't write stories," she answers. "You can if you try." So, with the help of the koala, rhinoceros, and the cat that have been in her imagination the longest, Janet creates a story about three animals on a camping trip. She starts with an image, then creates a problem for the animals to solve. She sketches out her ideas before working on a text. The, once she starts writing, she revises until she's happy with the result. She sends the story to her publisher, and the animals get to see a book develop from manuscript to finished book. People approach writing in different ways. Here, they'll see how one artist goes about the creation of a story. They'll learn that for some people, it's easier to go "from pictures to words" than the other way around. They'll discover that it's exciting and rewarding to create a book.

Parents Place Children's Literature Choice List for 1995

Writing Prompts

Other Information:

* Stevens writes-and draws-herself into this innovative explanation of how authors and artists create picture books. Publisher's Weekly

* With so many successful picture books to her credit, Stevens seems the perfect person to introduce picture-book writing and illustrating to children.... Booklist

* I love Janet Stevens' work and this one is no exception. The illustrations are delightful, as always, and the concept of showing readers how a book is made is terrific. I'll enjoy sharing this with classes. It would be a great lead-in for students to do writing of their own, too. It's a winner! ... Amazon Reviewer