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- Illustrators' statements, bios, artwork
- "From pictures to words"
- An illustrator's description (in picture book format), of how she went about creating her first book as writer/illustrator.
- "Wings of an artist: children's books illustrators talk about their art"
- Brief statements and a full-page illustration each for over 20 major illustrators.
- "Caldecott & Co. Notes on books & pictures"
- Collects essays on children's literature that Sendak wrote and published between 1955 and 1987.
- "The art of Maurice Sendak"
- Insightful ricapitulation of the early career (including all the most popular works) of what is possibly the best known author/illustrator of children's books. Some illustrations may well be better reproduced in this book than in any other published source.
- "World of childhood"
- Collects talks by children's authors Jean Fritz, Maurice Sendak, Jill Krementz, Jack Prelutsky, Rosemary Wells, and Katherine Paterson.
- "Children's book illustration & design" (2 volumes published to date)
- Collects representative artwork of picture-book artists.
- "Talking with artists" (3 volumes published to date)
- Well-known illustrators answer a set of questions on their work and career. An amusing feature is the comparison between the artwork each did as a child, and that which made them famous.
- "A Caldecott celebration: six artists share their paths to the Caldecott medal"
- Singles out, and discusses in depth, one of the winners for each decade of this prestigious book illustration prize. In addition to artwork and insights from the chosen artists, the reader gets a glimpse of the evolution of the field from the 1940's to the 1990's.
- Commentary on the impact of children's literature
- "The empire's old clothes"
- Critiques the way children's literature (and popular media in general) shapes our worldview. You may find especially relevant chapter 2, "Of elephants and ducks", which uncovers and compares the apology of colonialism in Babar and Donald Duck stories.
- "Inside picture books"
- Examines how well-known children's books relate to the phsychological states and needs of children.
- "The slant of the pen: racism in children's books"
- History and criticism of children's literature and folktales
- "Animal land: the creatures of children's fiction"
- Discusses the ways animal characters are presented in children's literature.
- "Words about pictures" and "The pleasures of children's literature"
- Two books of essays by a scholar and teacher of this genre.
- "Morphology of the folktale"
- Classic text in the structural analysis of traditional narratives. Boils down a vast range of tales to a limited repertoire of basic characters and plots. May be useful in acquiring a sense of perspective on the author's task: yes, just about every story you may conceive has already been told... but it's the way you go about retelling it that makes your work unique and innovative.
- "Motif-index of folk-literature"
- Massive (six volumes) catalog of myths and folk tales from around the world. Its elaborate classification system is the basis for later studies in this field. Peruse (in small doses) to be amazed by the diversity of human narratives, and the cross-cultural unity of intents.
- Manuals on illustrating children's publications
- "Children's book illustration: step by step techniques: a unique guide from the masters"
- Society of Illustrators publication detailing the work process used by several major illustrators.
- Manuals covering both illustration and writing for children
- "How to write and illustrate children's books"
- Abundantly illustrated overview of the entire chidren's publishing process from an author's point of view. Covers the full gamut of possible formats. Bear in mind, however, the intervening changes in the industry since its publication, over a decade ago.
- "Writing, illustrating and editing children's books"
- Partly dated, but very thorough description of children's publishing trade practices--for aspiring writers, illustrator, editors.
- "Written and illustrated by"
- Intended as guide for teachers who want to use picture book-making as a classroom activity. Many insights can be useful to grown-up authors as well.
- "Writing and illustrating children's books for publication: two perspectives"
- "The children's picture book"
- Manuals on writing, especially writing for children
- In the absence of a significant number of works on visual storytelling, you may want to adapt some of the copious advice available for writers.
- "Writers on writing"
- An older text with quotes from famous authors (for all age groups) on the writing of poetry and fiction.
- "You can write children's books"
- Sets out in the first chapter to "dispel some misconceptions you may have about the field." Once you have verified that it is children's books you want to write, it proceeds with details on this specific career choice.
- "How to write and sell children's picture books"
- A writing manual with an emphasis on how to work with the publishing industry.
- "How to write a children's book and get it published"
- Definitely written from a writer's perspective: item #3 in its 'picture book checklist' is an admonishment to "rely on your text alone to tell your story, without leaning on what illustrations will do"--which amounts to a blanket condemnation of a good many picture books actually published. The 8-page chapter 'for the writer who is also an illustrator' is perfunctory at best.
- The discussion of the publishing industry is usefully updated to cope with the effects of consolidation. The recommendations regarding multiple submissions, for instance, reflect the harsher reality of editors' lengthening response times.
- "Writing for children and teen-agers"
- Sharply focused on the writing process and the resolution of narrative problems. Later revised to cover nonfiction markets as well.
- "Writing books for children"
- Tips and techniques from a prolific and successful writer. You may find especially interesting how she identifies the real audience for children's books.
- Children's publishing practices and news
- "Children's writer's and illustrator's market", revised yearly.
- "Publisher's Weekly", Children's Announcements issues: Spring (mid-February) and Fall (mid-July). Web site at www.PublishersWeekly.com.
- "Graphic Artists Guild handbook: pricing and ethical guidelines", periodically revised. The Guild--which acts as an advocacy group and, in limited cases, as a union--maintains a web site at www.GAG.org.
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Professional society. "Bulletin" (see 'To Market' column archives at www.raabassociates.com) and annual conference. Web site at www.SCBWI.org.
- Children's Book Council. www.CBCbooks.org. Publishers' trade group.
- Miscellaneous
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